How To Reduce Hair Loss in Women: Causes, Solutions & Tips

Noticing hair falling out when brushing? Perhaps your hair texture has changed or you feel like your ponytail is simply not as thick as it used to be?

If you’re nodding along, you might be getting increasingly concerned about female hair thinning and loss and may be wondering why it’s happening. For many women, hair is an expression of personality and sense of self: we style it, we cut it, we colour it. Losing it may make us feel lost, and that can affect our self-esteem.

But what causes hair loss in women? It can occur for a wide variety of reasons ranging from environmental factors to hormonal changes, stress, and genetics.

Let’s get to the root of the problem – read on to discover the main causes of female hair loss and how to reduce it with our tips and solution suggestions.

Common Causes of Hair Loss in Women

To answer the age-old question “why is my hair thinning out” we need to first consider the most common causes of female hair shedding. Hair loss can be caused by external or genetic factors.

Let’s start by uncovering the external causes first:

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Hair Fall and Stress

Yes – unfortunately, hair loss and stress can be related. Chronic stress or the sudden onset of a stressful situation, illness, or trauma can cause hair loss, and there’s a specific name for this condition: telogen effluvium. The good news is that this type of hair loss in women is usually temporary and hair-growth naturally resumes once the stress is managed.

Vitamin Deficiency and Hair Loss

Wondering which vitamin deficiency causes hair loss? The lack of these vitamins in your diet can weaken your hair follicles or disrupt the growth cycle:

Vitamin D: this vitamin plays a role in hair growth and its lack may cause hair loss conditions such as alopecia areata and androgenetic alopecia.
Biotin (Vitamin B7): essential for keratin production in hair, a deficiency may cause hair thinning in women, increased shedding, and breakage.
Iron: essential in the production of red blood cells and oxygen transport to hair follicles, a lack of this mineral may disrupt your hair growth cycle leading to female hair thinning and shedding.
Vitamin C: this vitamin is essential for iron absorption, so supplementing with vitamin C can indirectly help with hair growth.
Zinc: plays a role in hair follicle health – a lack of this mineral could cause hair follicles to be weaker leading to hair thinning and shedding and conditions like alopecia areata.

Heat Tools and Brushing Hair and Hair Loss

And now, for the question on many womens’ lips… do hair straighteners cause hair loss? The short answer is yes – hair tools such as hair straighteners, curlers, and hair dryers can cause hair loss. That’s because the regular application of extreme heat can weaken hair causing breakage and hair falling. We recommend using a heat protector such as the Elvive Dream Lengths Heat Slayer spray by L'Oréal Paris.

Can brushing cause hair loss? Yes – it can, but only if you have bad brushing habits. Avoid yanking your hair with a brush or comb, brushing too vigorously, or brushing when your hair is wet and more vulnerable to breakage.

Along with external factors, the following genetic conditions can also cause hair loss in women:

Hair Loss Due to Menopause

The menopause brings forth a lot of changes, and female hair thinning and loss may be one of them. You may notice an increase in breakage, slower hair growth, or in some cases thinning at the crown of the head, on the sides, or more generally across the head. This menopausal hair loss is known as female pattern hair loss (FPHL) and may be linked to a reduction in oestrogen levels.

Hair Loss and Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a hormone disorder which may cause hair loss and androgenetic alopecia. You may notice your hair is thinner at the top of your head, and in particular, a widening middle part. In contrast, you may notice more hair growth on your face and body.

Genetic Female-Pattern Baldness

Female-pattern hair loss (FPHL) is the most common type of hair loss, and it is usually genetic and inherited across generations. According to the NHS, around 50% of women aged over 70 will experience FPHL, some more drastically than others.

Effective Female Hair Loss Solutions

Depending on the cause of your hair loss, there are both natural and medical treatments to help stimulate hair growth, reduce hair loss, and improve hair texture and condition. Some of the best hair growth treatments for women often include a combination of natural and medical solutions – your healthcare professional will be able to offer the best advice.

Natural Remedies for Hair Growth

Diet and supplements: if your hair growth is caused by external factors such as diet or vitamin deficiencies, taking supplements can help. Eating a balanced, nutrient-rich diet should be prioritised and hair, skin, and nail supplements containing Vitamin D, Biotin, Zinc and Iron may be beneficial.

Scalp massages: some research suggests that regularly massaging your head with essential oils like rosemary, lavender, peppermint and cedarwood oil may help stimulate hair growth.

Why not try our Elvive Growth Booster range including Shampoo, Conditioner, and Serum? Formulated with Aminexil, Niacinamide, and Ginger it helps reinforce existing hair fibres and reduces hair loss in up to 12 weeks for visibly denser and fuller hair.

Prescription Medical Treatments for Hair Loss

Minoxidil: one of the most commonly prescribed treatments for hair loss and thinning for women is Minoxidil. It has been clinically proven to stimulate hair growth and extend the anagen phase, where hair follicles start to produce new cells. Your doctor may prescribe Minoxidil as a topical or oral treatment, depending on your specific needs.

Hormonal treatments: in some cases of female-pattern hair loss, a hormonal treatment may be recommended. Spironolactone works by reducing androgen levels in women affected by the menopause and hormonal conditions like polycystic ovarian syndrome. It is sometimes prescribed in combination with Minoxidil.

Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT): a growing body of research suggests that LLLT can help increase the blood flow, stimulating cellular activity in follicles that helps to promote hair regrowth.

Hair Growth Tips for Women

Female hair loss can be distressing, but research into the causes and new treatments is constantly evolving. Hair loss treatments for women should start with a review of any dietary concerns to uncover any possible vitamin and mineral deficiencies, followed by either a natural, medical, or combined treatment approach.

In many cases, female hair thinning and hair loss is reversible. However, in more severe cases, women may want to opt for cosmetic hair loss solutions. These may include:

Hairstyle changes: wondering how to hide thinning hair in the front in women? Changing your hairstyle is an easy quick-fix solution: you can try different partings or use accessories like headbands and headscarves.
Wigs and hair extensions: wearing a wig, toupee, or hair extensions can help you cover areas where your hair is thinning, these can be made with real hair and matched to your hair colour.
Scalp micropigmentation: also known as hair tattooing, this is a cosmetic treatment for thinning hair where tiny dots of pigment are tattooed on the scalp to mimic hair.

Talk to a medical professional if you have concerns or worried about hair loss.

FAQs

Why is my hair thinning out?

Hair thinning in women can be caused by many factors, both external and genetic. Hair growth goes through cycles, so it is normal to sometimes lose more hair. Excessive brushing, hair dyes and some treatments can also cause temporary hair thinning and hair loss.

What causes hair loss in women?

Common hair loss causes in women include hormonal changes or imbalances during the menopause, pregnancy, or women affected by PCOS. It can also arise from genetic conditions such as alopecia areata, or from nutritional deficiencies such as a lack of Iron, Biotin or Vitamin.

How can I stimulate hair growth?

There are plenty of over-the-counter and prescription treatments to boost hair growth. Natural remedies include essential oils like rosemary and topical shampoos, conditioners, and serums. Low-level laser therapy.

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