Hair Loss in Women: Causes, Tests and Treatment — Trichologist Advice

Hair loss is the most common reason women see a trichologist. Thinning hair affects mood and confidence, so many first try "anti-hair-loss" shampoos and vitamins. But women lose hair for many different reasons, and effective treatment starts with finding the cause.

Normal and excessive shedding

Losing up to 50–100 hairs a day is normal. More: normal versus pathological hair loss. Reasons for concern:

• far more hair on your brush and pillow;
• a widening parting, with the scalp showing through;
• a thinner ponytail or plait;
• round bald patches.

Main causes of hair loss in women

• Telogen effluvium — 2–3 months after severe stress, an illness with high fever, surgery, a strict diet or childbirth, hair suddenly sheds heavily. It usually recovers in 6–12 months once the cause is dealt with.
• Iron deficiency and anaemia — common in women, especially with heavy periods.
• Thyroid disease — too much or too little thyroid hormone shows in the hair.
• Female pattern (androgenetic) thinning — gradual thinning on the crown and along the parting; linked to genetics and hormones (for example polycystic ovary syndrome).
• Traction alopecia — thinning at the hairline and temples from tight ponytails, buns and braids.
• Alopecia areata — round bald patches. More: alopecia areata.
• Harsh hair care — frequent dyeing, bleaching, flat irons and hot hairdryers.

How does a trichologist investigate?

• History — when the shedding started, childbirth, illnesses, diets, medicines, menstrual cycle;
• Trichoscopy — examining the scalp and hair roots under digital magnification; it identifies the type of hair loss;
• Blood tests — iron stores, thyroid hormones and others, as the doctor advises. More: which tests to take for hair loss;
• when needed — a gynaecologist or endocrinologist.

How is it treated?

Treatment depends on the cause and usually combines several approaches:

• dealing with the cause — replacing iron, treating the thyroid, correcting the diet;
• topical products — hair growth support chosen by the doctor;
• PRP (plasma therapy) — injections prepared from your own blood plasma;
• thulium laser — a device treatment that stimulates hair follicles;
• gentle hair care — mild shampoo, less heat, loose hairstyles.

Results take time: hair grows about 1 cm a month, so the first changes are assessed after 2–3 months.

Hair loss after childbirth

Heavy shedding 2–4 months after giving birth is very common and usually temporary; hair typically recovers within a year. But if shedding goes on or the hair stays thin, iron levels and the thyroid should be checked.

Trichologist visits in Fergana and Kokand

At the Radeski Skin Clinic trichology centre a trichologist performs trichoscopy, orders the right tests, identifies the type of hair loss and builds a treatment plan.

• Trichologist in Fergana and in Kokand;
• Hair loss treatment in Fergana and in Kokand.

The sooner hair loss is investigated, the better the chances of saving the follicles and restoring thickness.