Hair loss in women can be the result of genetics, poor nutrition, stress or hormones.
It is important to get an accurate diagnosis to rule out any medical condition.
If it is not related to a medical condition, then there a number of ways to restore hair.
Diet: A well-balanced diet is important for hair growth.
Eating a range of fruit, vegetables, whole grains and protein will deliver essential minerals and vitamins to the hair follicles.
If you are unsure whether your diet meets the nutritional requirements for healthy hair, it is worth making a diary of what you eat for a week and checking it off.
Below is a list of some of the key things to include in your diet and some examples of food sources.
Vitamin B6 - beef, chicken, bananas, cereals, potatoes Vitamin B9 (also known as Folic Acid) - spinach, asparagus, lettuces, liver, chickpeas, cooked lentils, fortified cereals Vitamin B12 - liver, milk, eggs, poultry, fish, shellfish, some soy products and some fortified cereals Vitamin A - squash, sweet potatoes, carrots, oranges, mangoes Vitamin C - include blackcurrant, red pepper, broccoli, kiwi fruit, sprouts, lychee, papaya, strawberry, orange, lemon, cantaloupe melon, cauliflower Vitamin E - asparagus, avocado, eggs, milk, nuts, seeds, spinach, wheat germ, pulses and green leafy vegetables Biotin - liver, brewer's yeast, brown rice, bulgur, green peas, tomatoes, romaine lettuce, carrots, lentils, oats, soybeans, sunflower seeds, and walnuts Iodine - kelp, strawberries, boiled eggs, cow's milk, yoghurt, mozzarella cheese Zinc - beans, nuts, almonds, whole grains, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, blackcurrant, fortified cereals Selenium - nuts (especially brazil nuts), fortified cereals, meat, fish and eggs Calcium - fish, dairy products, nuts, beans Iron - red meat, fish, poultry, lentils, beans, spinach, tofu, chickpeas Stress It is important to manage stress.
There are many ways this can be done such as exercise, meditation, counselling and reducing your workload.
Sometimes the hardest thing can be acknowledging that we are stressed and need help.
Again, making a diary of a typical week and how you feel can help put things in a clearer perspective and highlight the things that are causing frustration in your life.
If the stress is due to a traumatic event such as the death of a loved one, an illness or divorce, then it is vital that the person seeks support.
Hormones Female hormone levels can change for a variety of reasons: taking oral contraceptives, taking medications, pregnancy and stressful events are just some of the main ways that hormone levels can be knocked out of balance and contribute to hair loss.
While these are usually acute, short-term changes, which the hair will recover from, in some cases a hair loss treatment can help kick-start a healthy hair growth cycle.
Genetics Although it is not well-documented, female pattern (genetic) hair loss is quite a common condition.
Similar to male pattern baldness, it is caused by the hormone Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) which inhibits the growth of new hair cells.
It is passed down the family tree and the only way to manage it is to use a proven hair loss treatment called Minoxidil.
This is the only product that has been shown to be successful in tackling genetic hair loss in women.
It is available in various strengths, as a topical solution and as a cream.
It is recommended to see a doctor or hair specialist in order to get a diagnosis and ongoing guidance on using Minoxidil - this is the fastest way to seeing the hair return to a normal growth cycle.
It is important to get an accurate diagnosis to rule out any medical condition.
If it is not related to a medical condition, then there a number of ways to restore hair.
Diet: A well-balanced diet is important for hair growth.
Eating a range of fruit, vegetables, whole grains and protein will deliver essential minerals and vitamins to the hair follicles.
If you are unsure whether your diet meets the nutritional requirements for healthy hair, it is worth making a diary of what you eat for a week and checking it off.
Below is a list of some of the key things to include in your diet and some examples of food sources.
Vitamin B6 - beef, chicken, bananas, cereals, potatoes Vitamin B9 (also known as Folic Acid) - spinach, asparagus, lettuces, liver, chickpeas, cooked lentils, fortified cereals Vitamin B12 - liver, milk, eggs, poultry, fish, shellfish, some soy products and some fortified cereals Vitamin A - squash, sweet potatoes, carrots, oranges, mangoes Vitamin C - include blackcurrant, red pepper, broccoli, kiwi fruit, sprouts, lychee, papaya, strawberry, orange, lemon, cantaloupe melon, cauliflower Vitamin E - asparagus, avocado, eggs, milk, nuts, seeds, spinach, wheat germ, pulses and green leafy vegetables Biotin - liver, brewer's yeast, brown rice, bulgur, green peas, tomatoes, romaine lettuce, carrots, lentils, oats, soybeans, sunflower seeds, and walnuts Iodine - kelp, strawberries, boiled eggs, cow's milk, yoghurt, mozzarella cheese Zinc - beans, nuts, almonds, whole grains, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, blackcurrant, fortified cereals Selenium - nuts (especially brazil nuts), fortified cereals, meat, fish and eggs Calcium - fish, dairy products, nuts, beans Iron - red meat, fish, poultry, lentils, beans, spinach, tofu, chickpeas Stress It is important to manage stress.
There are many ways this can be done such as exercise, meditation, counselling and reducing your workload.
Sometimes the hardest thing can be acknowledging that we are stressed and need help.
Again, making a diary of a typical week and how you feel can help put things in a clearer perspective and highlight the things that are causing frustration in your life.
If the stress is due to a traumatic event such as the death of a loved one, an illness or divorce, then it is vital that the person seeks support.
Hormones Female hormone levels can change for a variety of reasons: taking oral contraceptives, taking medications, pregnancy and stressful events are just some of the main ways that hormone levels can be knocked out of balance and contribute to hair loss.
While these are usually acute, short-term changes, which the hair will recover from, in some cases a hair loss treatment can help kick-start a healthy hair growth cycle.
Genetics Although it is not well-documented, female pattern (genetic) hair loss is quite a common condition.
Similar to male pattern baldness, it is caused by the hormone Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) which inhibits the growth of new hair cells.
It is passed down the family tree and the only way to manage it is to use a proven hair loss treatment called Minoxidil.
This is the only product that has been shown to be successful in tackling genetic hair loss in women.
It is available in various strengths, as a topical solution and as a cream.
It is recommended to see a doctor or hair specialist in order to get a diagnosis and ongoing guidance on using Minoxidil - this is the fastest way to seeing the hair return to a normal growth cycle.