You’re Not Alone

Anyone who’s had the frustrating task of unclogging the shower drain knows it’s okay to shed some hair. But if you start to notice more hair loss than normal, don’t panic because hair loss in women can happen for many different reasons.

Researchers have found that on average, we lose 100 strands of hair a day so that our hair follicles can go through their cycle of growing, resting, and shedding. Even though hair loss seems to be a common topic and the “norm” for men, it is also becoming very common for women to experience hair loss. It is estimated that hair loss affects 1 in 5 women and by the age of 50-60 nearly 40% of women will have experienced some form of hair loss.

What are the causes and breakdowns of average women’s hair loss and how do you know if you might be experiencing more than normal hair shedding?

What Causes Sudden Hair Loss?

There can be many different factors that come into play when dealing with sudden hair loss in women including poor diet, stress, pregnancy, body trauma (such as extreme weight loss or accident/health problems) or even certain medications, just to list a few. However, it’s becoming more and more common that women’s hair loss is attributed to a hormonal imbalance and for many women, thinning hair or spot baldness occurs after menopause. This is identified as female pattern baldness.

 

Female pattern baldness is a hereditary condition that is passed on from either parent although researchers have concluded that it primarily comes from the mother. Most women experience hair loss or thinning at the widening center or side part, and overall thinning can reveal more scalp on the crown of their head.

A second common condition, telogen effluvium, occurs when a high number of hairs suddenly enter the resting and dying phases of the growth cycle. A strain or shock triggers this condition to the body such as a high fever or even extreme weight loss. Teleogen effluvium hair loss is most frequently experienced by women who have delivered a baby causing hormonal changes, also referred to as a shift in hormonal imbalance.

Another cause for sudden hair loss in women is alopecia areata, a condition that includes patches of hair falling out without a clear explanation. Researchers believe alopecia areata is linked to an autoimmune disorder.According to Dr. Demise Wexler, a dermatologist in London, “with alopecia areata, the body rejects the hair as if it’s fighting off something.”   Although there is no cure for this disorder, the good news is that it can be treated with medications that help hair grow back on its own within a year.

What are some at-home hair loss treatments for women that you can use to maintain a healthy “hair” lifestyle?

Holistic Treatments & Enhancements

Although there are several remedies you can start with, bare in mind that most hair loss is associated with poor health or nutrient deficiencies and may often be controlled by improving your overall well-being.  Stay on top of your stress levels by keeping your mind clear of worries, as mental health issues and even lack of sleep can contribute to greater than normal hair loss.

Mental health awareness and nutrition may not necessarily cure hair loss, but these treatment tips and tricks can help prevent it from occurring.  It’s possible that you may even go into hair loss remission by making these adjustments to your routine.

There are many different daily treatment options to consider for hair loss prevention. What is science saying?

Essential Oils

Information is surfacing regarding small studies with results leading to herbal, holistic alternatives or aromatherapy as a treatment. Although more research needs to be done, some women are turning to lavender for its proven effectiveness in health uses. Lavender is a key herb that helps with anxiety and some preliminary results indicate that lavender essential oil, combined with oils from other herbs, help alopecia.

Historically, lavender was once used as an antiseptic and for mental health purposes. Today, lavender is used as a folk or traditional remedy for anxiety, restlessness, insomnia, depression, headache, upset stomach, and hair loss.

One recent study found that massaging the scalp with a combination of several essential oils, including lavender, rosemary, thyme, and cedar-wood, improved hair growth.  Since some essential oils can be toxic, they are diluted with other oils before being put on the skin.  (i.e. jojoba or grapeseed oil)

What are some things you are doing that can improve your daily stress other than essential oils?

Calming Stress Levels

It is imported to remain calm in stressful situations. When the body is experiencing any high stress or nutritional deficiency, it sees your hair as non-essential, so it cuts off nutrition to the hair follicles and supports the vital organs.

Some treatment tips on staying relaxed and stress-free include trying a yoga class or even practicing daily meditation.  

Benefits of Meditation

 

Meditation can act as one of your treatments for your all around well-being, as well as keeping your hair loss down to a minimum. Training your mind and body to remain calm in stressful situations can sometimes be challenging, but if you stay focused, it can change your life.

Meditation can be performed before you even get out of bed and get this…it can take as little as only 5-7 minutes a day to wake up and get your zen on! Simply find your favorite music that takes you to your happy place and try to focus on your breathing and what it is you want your day to be like. Focus on a positive and fulfilled day, this will put you in the proper mindset to take on your day-to-day tasks. Watch stress melt away and hair be restored through mediation.

Cosmetic Enhancements

Toppik’s Hair Building Fibers are a cosmetic hair enhancement you can use in addition to essential oil and holistic treatments.  The Hair Fibers are made of colored keratin protein and blended with existing hair strands to instantly create the appearance of naturally thick, full hair during hair loss. This is a great treatment to use after you have done a day of lavender essential oils to help rebuild both hair and confidence!

How do Hair Fibers work as a Cosmetic Enhancement?

Toppik Hair Building Fibers

•      Instantly fill in thinning areas
•      Conceals hair loss
•      Makes fine hair look completely thick and full
•      Great as a root touch-up between colorings
•      Easily washes out with shampoo

Watch this quick video on how to use Toppik Hair Fibers as a cosmetic enhancement when dealing with sudden hair loss in women.  

Nutrition for Hair Loss

Along with holistic treatments and cosmetic enhancements, it’s important to understand and be aware of how nutrition plays a part in treating sudden hair loss. Both Fiber and Iron  are important nutrients that should be added to your diet when balancing your nutrition to promote healthy hair regrowth. Here are some great recipes that are packed full of both iron and fiber that you can be added to your meal plan.

. Lettuce Cups with Tofu and Beef

. Garlic Sautéed Spinach

Lastly, to promote healthy hair, increase your daily vitamin and mineral intake.To continue getting essential vitamin enriched nutrients you can try taking theToppik’s Hair Nutrition 2-in-1 Capsules supplement. These nutrition capsules act as a dietary addition that helps support and promote healthy hair growth.

Are there ways to style your hair when you’re experiencing sudden hair loss?

Women’s Hair Loss Style Guide

Hair can connect you to your identity. So what happens when you lose it? Let’s face it, women’s hair goes through a lot on a daily basis. From washing to styling with hot tools such as a blow dryers and curling irons, there is a lot of stress being put on the hair that can cause damage.

When it comes to styling while dealing with hair loss, there are many different hair tips that you can use to help enhance volume and density without increasing damage.

Choosing the right cut that can help minimize the attention brought to thinning areas is important before choosing a new style. Often times, women will cut their hair completely off once they notice that it’s thinning. Luckily, there are many more options than simply chopping your hair when experiencing hair loss. For example, haircuts that include layers help hair not appear too heavy, which can cause thin hair to show-through. Instead, layers give the appearance of fuller-looking hair.

According to latest-hairstyles.com, there are over 15 styles you can try that work great for women with fine hair. Below are some of the most popular hairstyles for fine/thin hair, click the link to view…

•      Razored Bob
•      Blunt Ends
•      Loose Waves
•      Naturally Curly
•      Big Hair, Don’t Care
•      Tousled Curls
•      The People’s Princess
•      Natural Waves
•      Twisted Updo
•      Color Panel
•      Perfectly Polished Pony
•      Strong Bangs
•      Long Layers
•      Textured Ends

We hope this blog helped provide you with information and inspiration on how to deal with sudden hair loss.

Have you experienced extreme or sudden hair loss? Share your story and advice to others.