Did you know that baldness affects 42 million Brazilians and that 50% of women suffer from some type of hair loss? This data from the Brazilian Hair Society proves that if you feel that you are losing more and more hair, you are not alone.
THE female pattern baldness it is a sensitive issue that involves not only hair loss, but women’s insecurity and self-esteem. But at the first signs of more hair in the comb after brushing or on the shower stall floor, what to do?
Find out how to identify if your hair loss is in fact indicative of baldness, what are the possible treatments for this type of fall and what really matters: is there a cure?
What is baldness?
Baldness, or alopecia, is a condition that causes temporary or permanent hair loss, which can be on the scalp or in another region of the body.
This hair loss can happen at any age (in youth or old age), totally or partially, causing the region to be smooth, that is, without the coverage of hair that was previously present.
What are the first signs of female pattern baldness?
Before a giant hair loss and baldness itself, hair health is compromised and begins to show some signs that something is not right. If you:
- noticed that the hair is falling out more than usual;
- that the threads are thinner;
- a lightening of the hair color;
- lower capillary density (number of strands);
- and some hairless spots on the head.
It is time to seek professional help to assess the scenario and whether it is the case of female pattern baldness.
What causes female pattern baldness?
After diagnosing alopecia, it is very important to understand what caused the acute hair loss. There are several factors that, alone or together, can develop baldness, but the main ones are as follows:
- Genetics: it refers to a possible genetic inheritance, that is, a condition inherited from the father or mother that causes the fall.
- Hormones: it concerns possible hormonal imbalances linked to a thyroid problem that also affects the hair.
- Nutritional: a nutrient-deficient diet can lead to anemia and other types of illnesses that affect capillary health.
- Emotional: extreme emotional events, such as stress and depression, can trigger hair loss.
- Environmental: External causes can also unbalance hair growth, such as chemical procedures and excessive use of heat.
What are the types of alopecia?
Depending on the cause of female alopecia, this condition is divided into 3 different types: androgenetic, areata and diffuse. Get to know each of them better:
1) Androgenetic Alopecia
Also known as common baldness or androgenic alopecia, androgenetic alopecia is the most common type and usually affects older women. This type of alopecia is caused by genetic inheritance and hormonal, emotional or nutritional disorders.
The main feature of androgenetic alopecia is clearings on the sides of the head, creating the popular “female haircuts”.
2) Alopecia areata
Alopecia areata still has an unknown cause, but it is largely attributed to emotional factors, such as stress, and hair loss in this type occurs due to inflammation of the hair follicles.
Hair loss in alopecia areata occurs in specific areas and irregularly on the scalp, which may be different among affected women.
3) Diffuse Alopecia
This type of alopecia consists of widespread hair loss, ie, all over the scalp. Diffuse alopecia is also known as telogen effluvium.
In this case, the hair follicles skip one of the stages of the hair’s life cycle, the anagen (growth) phase and go directly to telogen (loss).
Is female pattern baldness curable?
Of course, the first question that comes to mind in anyone who is diagnosed with female pattern baldness is whether it is curable. And the answer is: it depends on the type.
Is androgenetic alopecia curable? No, however, it is possible to reduce the effects with proper treatment.
Is alopecia areata curable? Yes, the condition can be reversed with specific treatments, but it may not happen to everyone.
Is diffuse alopecia curable? Yes, because this type of alopecia is more temporary, causing the hair to grow back over time.
What is the treatment for female alopecia?
Treatment for female alopecia will also depend on the cause, that is, which type it fits. However, only a specialized professional will be able to make this diagnosis and indicate the most appropriate treatment. Discover possible treatments for different types of female alopecia:
Growth and fall treatment: use of products that have assets that promote accelerated growth or that reduce the risk of falling. The SOS Bomba line has proven effectiveness in both treatments with SOS Bomba Original and SOS Bomba Fall.
Hormonal balance: use of medications that adjust hormone levels that may be inhibiting the growth of hair follicles. This treatment can only be done with a prescription and medical supervision.
Nutritional supplementation: treatment that aims to identify nutrient deficiencies linked to hair loss and nutritional supplementation via food and medication. This case must also be followed up by a specialist.
Electric Stimulus: technology that drives hair growth through electrical stimuli, with a low-power laser, on the scalp. In addition to being done by a trained professional, this treatment can take some time to work.
Capillary micropigmentation: method that does not reverse the alopecia itself, but camouflages the lack of hair in certain regions. Similar to a tattoo, micropigmentation produces a gradient pointillism that gives the impression of more hair.
Hair transplant: more invasive treatment that removes hair follicles from the nape region and transplants it, hair by hair, in the area affected by alopecia. When successful, the hairs start to grow normally in the transplanted area.
Now that you know what causes female pattern baldness and that you can treat this problem, seek medical help to understand your case or share this content with those who are facing the dreaded hair loss!
