7 Reasons Women Lose Their Hair -- And 7 Treatments

Your ponytail is shrinking...or your part's getting wider...or there's more hair in the shower drain. Take heart -- you're not alone. According to New York City dermatologist Neil Sadick, MD, up to 80 percent of women will have some hair thinning in their lifetime, even if only temporarily. It's normal to shed 50 to 100 hairs a day, says NYC dermatologist Doris Day, MD. If you're losing more than that, a doctor's visit is in order. Here are some common causes and treatments. Cause: Genetics (the most likely culprit) Treatment: Minoxidil, the only topical ingredient that's FDA approved to regrow hair in women. Rogaine has just launched a 5 percent minoxidil foam for women ($30; drugstores). (Previously, the only option for women was 2 percent.) Sadick also suggests in-office red-light laser treatments, which can increase the number of hairs as well as the diameter of the hair shaft. Cause: Hormonal changes Treatment: Switch birth control pills. Or if you're past childbearing age, your doctor may suggest a prescription antiandrogen medication, like spironolactone (brand name Aldactone) or finasteride (brand names Propecia and Proscar) off-label, says NYC dermatologist Fredric Brandt, MD. Cause: Inflammation Treatment: A prescription topical steroid or a zinc shampoo, in addition to the treatments listed on slides 2 and 3. Cause: Low iron or vitamin D levels Treatment: Adjust your diet or add supplements. First talk to your doctor, who can then prescribe a supplement...
Source: Healthy Living - The Huffington Post - Category: Consumer Health News Source Type: news