Currently, there are roughly 21 million women in the United States that are experiencing hair loss. There are an average of 110,000 hair follicles on the scalp, and a woman that suffers with hair loss will typically lose 100 of these hairs every day.
Age Factors and the Prevalence of Hair Loss
When women first begin to experience thinning hair, they are usually between 25 and 35 years of age. By the time they are 40, 40% of these women will have noticeable hair loss. By the time they are 60, 80% of these women will show signs of notable hair loss.
Some Factors That Contribute to Hair Loss
While each woman is unique, hair loss in women can be caused by several factors. The National Institutes of Health published a study in 2012. The results showed that 54% of the 157 female participants reported that they were experiencing some hair loss. Another 29% admitted that they were experiencing a minimum of 2 symptoms of depression.
Some women lose their hair due to taking too many supplements or medications. Taking too many supplements that contain vitamin A, for example, can contribute to hair loss, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. The recommended Daily Value for vitamin A is 5,000 International Units on a daily basis for adults.
Just as some women may take too many supplements, others may benefit from specific types of supplements. Nearly 1 in 10 women between the ages of 20 through 49 have anemia. Since this condition is caused by an iron deficiency, taking iron supplements is usually recommended.
Genetics can, of course, also play a significant role in hair loss. It’s been determined that 90% of hair loss is due to genetic factors.
Treatment Options for Hair Loss
Hair rejuvenation for women is possible in many circumstances. For those women that experience iron deficiency, for example, this can be remedied with supplements. When women experience hair loss due to genetic factors, they may be successfully treated with topical medication or laser therapy. Another option for some women is to receive platelet rich plasma therapy.
Since there are several treatment options available, it’s important to have a professional consultation to determine whether 1 or more of these will provide hair rejuvenation.