Hair loss is not just a men’s problem. Women suffer from hair loss too, especially as a result of stress, hormonal imbalances and aggressive beauty treatments. Seeing your hair thin out, lose its consistency, and become thinner as a result is even more difficult psychologically for women than for men. Nobody has ever heard of a bald woman, while it is seen as “normal” for men to lose their hair with age, and a shaved head can even make a man more attractive. For women, on the other hand, the hair frames the face, and is seen as an expression of female beauty, so that hair loss makes a woman feel less feminine. This is why it’s important to protect the hair. The good news is that hair loss in women is normally temporary, provided action is taken promptly to combat the phenomenon. THE MOST COMMON CAUSES OF FEMALE HAIR LOSS. The most common causes of thinning of the hair in women are: - Stress. Alopecia from stress or of psychological origin comes in varying degrees of severity and is very frequent in its mild form. The causes are primarily states of anxiety, depression, or psychological trauma. A situation of prolonged stress will result in a hormone imbalance that alters the hair’s life cycle. - Strict dieting. Drastic changes in dietary habits can result in loss of nutrients essential for the life and health of the hair. Strict diets often fail to supply sufficient protein and trace elements. We have always said that food is very important for healthy, beautiful hair; a balanced diet containing plenty of fruit, vegetables, meat, fish, eggs and nuts takes care of the body from inside, and will be apparent on the outside in the form of healthy skin and strong hair. - Changing seasons, especially in Spring (April and May) and Autumn (from September to November). Some trichology experts say that changes in the ratio of hours of light and hours of dark can produce hormonal imbalances that lead to hair loss. And new hair grows faster at these times of year, as a physiological effect of the change in the season, whereas it proceeds at a steady, imperceptible rate during the rest of the year. HORMONAL IMBALANCE. Women are highly susceptible to hormonal changes which have an impact on the health of the hair and can even cause hair loss. - Pregnancy. During pregnancy, high levels of estrogen make the hair beautiful and strong. The anagen phase of hair growth is lengthened by the action of estrogen. But after childbirth the trend is reversed: estrogen levels suddenly drop back to normal. The hair then goes into the catagen phase (progressive suspension of vital functions) followed by the telogen phase (in which the hair is ready to fall out). The result is rapid hair loss. The phenomenon normally occurs for 4 to 12 months after childbirth, though it can produce androgenetic thinning of the hair in genetically predisposed women. - Menopause. After menopause the hair becomes thinner and more fragile, and tends to thin out slowly but steadily. The decrease in estrogen levels has an effect on the consistency of the hair, making it appear duller. Androgen hormones, the ones that make men go bald, increase, but their effect is much less pronounced in women; it can give rise to androgenetic female alopecia. - Thyroid. Hair loss can be one of the symptoms of thyroid problems. In hypothyroidism, the thyroid works slowly, with reduced production of thydroid hormones, while in hyperthyroidism, it works faster than usual and produces high levels of thyroid hormones. The hair becomes drier and more fragile. The correlation between the thyroid and hair loss is a result of the fact that the thyroid hormone thyroxine plays an essential role in producing Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF), the hair growth factor, in the anagen phase, so any alteration of the thyroid hormones will produce acute or chronic damage in the corresponding hair follicles. It will also affect the skin and nails. AGGRESSIVE BEAUTY TREATMENTS. Bleaching, extensions, permanent waves and straightening treatments, colouring: we do a lot of things to our hair to make it look the way we want it to, without taking its natural qualities into due account. In many cases these actions can damage the hair and scalp, especially if performed by amateurs or poorly trained professionals, or using poor quality products. Use of a straightening iron, for example, can damage the hair with high heat; it is important to choose a quality model and use products intended specifically for protecting the hair during straightening. Professional treatments such as permanent waves, colouring and bleaching must always be performed by properly trained, qualified professionals who know how to use the products they apply. Be sceptical of anyone who offers to provide such treatments at low prices. The news is full of stories about burnt hair and damaged skin; there is even a risk of permanent hair loss! Extensions can cause alopecia and serious problems with the skin of the scalp if not applied by a properly trained professional. Some application methods can cause serious damage to the hair. Anchoring extensions with keratin is the most dangerous method: it involves attaching the extensions by applying keratin to the hair as if it were glue, melted hot or cold with ultrasound, a technique which can weaken the hair and have disastrous results if it is not performed by a true expert. Price is an important clue: if it is too low, you should wonder why. SYMPTOMS TO KEEP UNDER CONTROL. If hair loss is significant and persistent, pay attention to a number of symptoms: itchy or painful scalp, greasy hair, dandruff. In these cases, it is advisable to examine the skin of the scalp in order to determine the health of the hair and proceed to apply the most appropriate treatment. TREATMENT. In the presence of problems involving the scalp, we recommend a trichological examination providing a clear view of the situation in order to apply the most appropriate treatments. Lotion Concentrée is Medavita’s historic anti-hair loss treatment containing a series of active ingredients of plant origin, appropriately combined to ensure the utmost efficacy in the prevention of hair loss: - limiting and slowing hair loss - improving capillary circulation in the scalp to increase the nourishment supplied to hair bulbs - combatting the processes of inactivation and atrophy of hair follicles - keeping the hair and scalp in good condition - acting as a reserve of anti-age ingredients with a rich pool of plant extracts, contributing vitality and energy to the scalp and hair. In combination with anti-hair loss treatment, we recommend B-Refibre hair fibre reconstruction treatment. This is an excellent combination, because the first treatment nourishes and fortifies the bulb, while the second revitalises the hair itself, making it more supple, consistent and vital. The result is a powerful treatment for both the scalp and the hair.