Many women struggle with hair loss, and some of them are anxious or ashamed to talk about it or seek help. And no wonder, as hair loss affects not only your appearance, but your confidence, too.

Healthy, long, luscious hair has been one of the symbols of femininity for centuries. Most women are proud of their hair and consider it an important aspect of who they are and how they present themselves.

So it’s no wonder that, when faced with hair loss, it truly takes a toll on your confidence. Suddenly, you’re left with many questions, and not nearly enough answers.

But before you start panicking, remember – seeing a few more strands on your hairbrush does not equal hair loss.

So, let’s learn about it.

Hair shedding vs. hair loss

Hair shedding is a natural part of the hair growth cycle. On average, a person sheds about 50 to 100 hairs per day. That is what is considered a normal hair loss, and it’s usually more noticeable during spring and fall. However, even excessive hair shedding does not lead to bald patches or noticeable hair thinning.

Hair loss, on the other hand, refers to a condition where you can clearly notice a reduction in hair density that may or may not lead to bald patches. If you notice something similar, you’re dealing with hair loss, rather than with hair thinning.

Let’s say you took all these things into account and concluded that you’re indeed struggling with hair loss.

First of all, try not to succumb to panic and anxiety. Hair loss is a condition like many others, and as such there are ways to address it. Naturally, the first step to solving it is understanding the big HOW and WHY of the matter.

How does hair loss occur?

In order to understand how hair loss occurs, first we need to understand the hair growth cycle.
Hair goes through three main phases while growing:

1. Anagen (Growth Phase): This is the phase when the hair is actively growing and it can last for years.
2. Catagen (Transition Phase): The hair growth slows down, and the hair prepares to shed. This phase lasts much shorter, usually a few weeks.
3. Telogen (Resting Phase): The hair is not growing and is ready to fall out. As this phase comes to an end, the cycle starts again.

When something disrupts the hair growth cycle of your hair, that’s when you experience hair loss.

But why does this happen? What are the possible disruptions?

Why does hair loss occur?

It’s important to note that going to a medical professional is the best way to correctly diagnose the reason for hair loss and to receive proper treatment.

The reasons for hair loss in women are most commonly lifestyle based, hormonal or medical.

The most common lifestyle based reason is, you guessed it – stress. Yes, I know, we all hate hearing the dreaded “Just work on lowering your stress levels” (aren’t we all trying), but in this case, making some lifestyle changes could truly help with the problem. 

Getting 7-8 hours of sleep at night, introducing some form of physical activity into your routine, maintaining a healthy, balanced diet, and dedicating time to a relaxing hobby such as reading, meditating, or painting could help.

When it comes to hormonal or medical reasons, it could be related to nutrient deficiency, thyroid problems, conditions such as alopecia areata or polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). 

These are only some of the possible causes, so doing your blood work and consulting with your doctor is the best way to go about this.

So…what can you do?

Be careful when doing your research, as there are many products out there claiming that they are “miraculous” or “groundbreaking” when they’re not.

Let’s talk about some things that could help with milder cases of hair thinning and hair loss.

Derma roller or micro needling for hair loss, paired with a natural oil can be really helpful (I wrote about the best oils to use for hair growth, and you can check that out here). Scalp massages in combination with natural hair oil could help boost the circulation of your hair and therefore promote hair growth. 

Minoxidil is also an option to consider. It is a medication used to treat both men pattern hair loss and female pattern hair loss. It is applied to the scalp and used to stimulate hair growth. However, take into account that it takes at least 2-4 months to notice visible results.

There’s another option…

I know that these solutions take time and that the whole process can be frustrating and discouraging. Try to be persistent and you’ll see results. 

However, if you have a special occasion approaching, and you want to look and feel your best, consider hair extensions and visit us at Hello Gorgeous Salon Naples. Hair extensions tend to get a bad reputation, but the truth is if they are high-quality and very importantly, if they are applied correctly by a trained professional, they will not damage your hair, and will provide you with the confidence booster you want for your special day. You can book an appointment with us via this link, or reach out at 239-261-3131. We look forward to helping you feel confident and gorgeous!