We may receive a share of sales if you purchase a product through a link in this article.
All your beauty questions – answered. Our in-house dermatologist, Dr. Geddes Bruce, covers the biggest topics in beauty, from hair loss to Botox and everything in between. Send us a DM @camillestyles with your burning questions and we could cover them in a future column.
One day you’re carefree, the next you’re obsessively checking your hairbrush and the drain every morning. How much hair loss is normal? How much is concerning? It seems impossible to know. There are countless tricks and secrets to prevent hair loss – from oiling your hair to avoiding ponytails – but what about treatments for hair loss in women? (I’m talking about those who treat hair loss when it starts.) The world of hair loss treatments for women is a big one, but luckily we have an expert to help us make sense of it all.
Whether your hair is thinning or falling out in certain areas, noticing a change in your hair can cause panic. Sure, if your hair gets dry from going to the beach too much in summer, you can make a few hair masks to revive your locks. Even if it becomes thin due to excessive coloring, you can take a break from the hairdresser, take a biotin supplement, and soon your curls will be back to normal. But hair thinning and loss feels like a minefield. We understand – and we have answers that can help you.
Featured image from our interview with Babba Rivera of Belathée Photography.
Ask a Dermatologist: Hair Loss Treatments for Women
Over the years I have noticed my hair falling out and losing thickness. I’ve seen a lot of hair growth products and treatments on social media but I don’t know where to start. Could you share insights and advice on these treatments, as well as your thoughts on which might be best? – Amy K.
Obviously I didn’t write this hypothetically – many of you reached out to get a dermatologist-backed opinion on hair loss treatments for women. We’ve heard from you, and today we have Dr. Elizabeth Geddes-Bruce invited to share her answers. Below answers Dr. Geddes-Bruce addresses your hair loss concerns and shares insights to help you treat and prevent hair thinning.
Dr. Elizabeth Geddes-Bruce
Dr. Geddes is a board-certified dermatologist and dermatologic surgeon at Westlake Dermatology and specializes in the practice of both cosmetic and medical dermatology. She views cosmetic dermatology as synergistic of a happy, healthy lifestyle and regularly advises her patients on a balanced, natural approach to both cosmetic and medical dermatology.
Everything you need to know about hair loss in women
As a dermatologist, I know that it is normal to lose up to 100 hairs per day. However, I tell my patients that if they are worried, I am worried. Only you know your initial hair condition and what a significant change is for you. It’s not helpful to hear that everything is fine because you still have hair. You need to take action if you notice a significant increase in hair loss that continues beyond a few washes, or if you notice visible hair thinning/reduction in density or bald patches.
We have a number of medical interventions that can stop and reverse hair loss if detected early, and in the most common forms of hair loss, hair grows back even if nothing is done!
The difference between hair loss and hair thinning
Most people use these terms interchangeably, but in reality, hair loss refers to an increase in hair loss (with or without a visible change) and hair thinning refers to a decrease in hair density (i.e. it takes three times instead of two to put a ponytail holder around your hair wrap or your hairline will appear wider).
The size of your hair shafts is fairly fixed and depends on genetics/color/ethnicity. Sometimes we see a change when people regrow hair after chemotherapy or when their hair loses pigment/goes gray.
The most common causes of hair loss in women
There are many different forms of alopecia (the medical term for hair loss). Some of them are autoimmune diseases themselves, and some are associated with autoimmune diseases that can affect the rest of the body. Sometimes hair loss can indicate a nutrient deficiency or calorie deficit. These are the times when hair loss can mean something serious and worth getting checked out.
Fortunately, the most common cause of hair loss is a temporary condition called telogen effluvium. It occurs when hair falls out abruptly during the resting phase of growth and you can quickly lose up to 30% of the hair on your head. The most common trigger is a stressful event, and it is also the cause of hair loss after childbirth. Despite its frightening nature, it can be reassuring to know that hair will grow back over time.
Doctor Recommended Hair Loss Treatments for Women
There are different treatments for female hair loss depending on the specific diagnosis/trigger of the hair loss. We may prescribe medications that increase blood flow to the scalp or block certain hormones. We may recommend specific nutritional supplements or perform anti-inflammatory injections.
Sometimes we recommend a treatment called PRP (platelet-rich plasma) injections. Not all dermatologists offer this treatment, and unfortunately it is not covered by insurance, but it can stimulate hair growth. I love performing this treatment on the right candidate as the results can be very rewarding.
Is there a “best” hair loss treatment for women?
It’s hard to say what the other Treatment for hair loss is because it all depends on the trigger. Almost universally, however, all women can benefit from topical minoxidil, which is available over the counter as a solution or foam. It may take a few months of consistent use to see results, and a small percentage of people actually see a temporary increase in hair loss when starting, but overall it’s a win for most women.
Other possible treatments include:
Hair fibers can provide good camouflage for bald spots and are easy to use.
Hair extensions and hairpieces have evolved and are now less traumatic and very natural.
Now we have exciting new medications that can treat severe, extensive hair loss, so even if you’ve already seen a dermatologist about your hair loss in the past, it might be worth exploring these new options.
There are also a few new laser treatments that involve applying specific growth factors to the scalp after a laser and this can also stimulate growth.
Finally, PRP (platelet-rich plasma) injections are as safe and natural as possible. We draw your blood in the office and quickly centrifuge it to separate the growth and healing factors from the red blood cells. Then we inject that portion of your blood back into your scalp, like fertilizing a lawn. It is a series of injections, usually three or four, given once a month and then every six months for maintenance.
What supplements or vitamins would you recommend to treat hair loss?
There are a few vitamin blends/supplements that can help reduce hair loss. Sometimes they contain stress adaptogens like ashwagandha, anti-inflammatory herbs like turmeric, and ingredients like saw palmetto, as well as vitamins and micronutrients like vitamin D, zinc, and selenium. Contrary to popular belief, biotin in large amounts will not improve hair loss and may instead cause certain laboratory tests (such as thyroid tests) to show false values.
There’s also some evidence for the effectiveness of some essential oils in treating hair loss – things like rosemary oil and tea tree or pumpkin seed oil – when applied topically. Patients have long used castor oil to thicken/lengthen hair, and there is at least one animal study to support this. Other ingredients commonly found in topical hair loss products include menthol and caffeine to increase blood flow and stimulate growth.
