Is Hair Loss in Women Normal?
We can fairly say that hair loss in women is quite common, as it affects approximately 40% of women by age 50. Normally, hair shedding is part of any woman’s life, and should be no cause of concern: hairs fall out and others grow in. However, when the number of hairs falling out surpasses the rate at which the hairs grow, it is considered loss or “alopecia”.
What Types of Hair Loss Do Women Experience?
There are three types of hair loss in women:
Female Pattern Hair Loss (FPHL) / Baldness
The most common type, where hair thins on the top and sides of the head.
Anagen Effluvium
This type is usually caused by medications that compromise the hair follicles, like chemotherapy.
Telogen Effluvium
As the name indicates, it happens when hairs reach the telogen (resting) phase, at the end of which they fall out.
What Causes Hair Loss in Women?
Causes of hair loss in women include:
Specific medications can impair hair follicles, thus making hair fall out at an accelerated pace (such as those used during chemotherapy).
Stress or trauma are also causes of hair thinning.
Iron deficiency.
Vitamin D deficiency.
Childbirth and postpartum due to the changes in estrogen levels, which cause a lot of hair that was in the growing cycle during pregnancy enter the shedding phase at once.
Just like with postpartum, the drop in estrogen levels during menopause can cause hair follicles to shrink and new strands to stop growing.
Thyroid disease.
Genetics. Hair loss can be an inherited condition.
Chemical hair treatments.
Underlying health conditions like an abnormal thyroid, anemia, vitamin deficiency, etc.
What Are Some At-Home Remedies?
Evidence-based home and complementary remedies for female hair loss address different mechanisms of hair thinning, ranging from follicle miniaturization (androgenetic alopecia) to hair shaft fragility. Below is a list of the remedies reviewed and their advantages and disadvantages.
Rosemary Oil
Benefits: It stimulates microcirculation around follicles and has demonstrated growth results in 6-month clinical trials.
Disadvantages: It can cause contact dermatitis or scalp irritation. Additionally, it requires consistent daily application for at least 3–6 months to show results.
Pumpkin Seed Oil
Benefits: It inhibits the hormone that shrinks hair follicles and causes hair thinning.
Disadvantages: Most strong clinical data covers oral supplementation rather than topical use.
Topical Caffeine
Benefits: It prolongs the follicular growth (anagen) phase and helps counteract testosterone-mediated hair suppression.
Disadvantages: It requires frequent, leave-in topical application and formulations vary widely in active concentration.
Coconut Oil
Benefits: The high lauric acid content penetrates the hair shaft, drastically reducing protein loss and mechanical breakage.
Disadvantages: It conditions existing hair strands, but does not stimulate new follicle growth or address hormonal/systemic causes.
Onion Juice
Benefits: It is rich in sulfur and antioxidants, supporting keratin production and scalp microbial balance.
Disadvantages: It has a potent, persistent odor and poses a high risk of scalp skin irritation.
Saw Palmetto
Benefits: Like topical caffeine, it inhibits 5-alpha reductase activity to reduce dihydrotestosterone binding at the follicle level.
Disadvantages: It is less potent than medical anti-androgens and has been reported to cause mild stomach upset or headache.
Hair Washing and Hair Loss
You might have come across the newest online movement discouraging women to shampoo their hair frequently under the belief it can help stop hair loss. However, for those dealing with Female Pattern Hair Loss (FPHL), skipping scalp hygiene can be both ineffective and harmful.
Not following cleansing routines can cause sebum buildup, increase inflammation, microbial imbalance, and oxidative stress; which can accelerate hair fall.
For women with inflammatory conditions, we recommend choosing gentler, sulfate-free shampoos (look for those especially designed for sensitive skin), but do not advise skipping the shampooing step of your hygiene routine.
How to find sulfate-free shampoos? The most common types of sulfates used in shampoos are sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) and sodium lauryl sulfate (SLES). When going down the shampoo aisle, read through the ingredients and if neither of these ingredients is listed, then the shampoo is likely sulfate-free.
Do not fret if you don’t feel or see the bubbles, sulfate-free shampoos don’t work the same way as regular ones, they are much less foamy. Don’t worry, they still work perfectly well.
What Treatment Options Are There for Female Hair Loss?
For some, at-home remedies can only help so much, especially for those with hereditary conditions. When hair thinning and loss are an unstoppable constant, a viable OTC alternative is FDA-approved minoxidil. Minoxidil can be administered topically or orally and it boosts blood flow up top, nudging follicles to grow thicker, longer hair.
Because minoxidil is available without prescription, it sits on pharmacy shelves for any woman to grab. However, we recommend getting professional advice to use it right.
How Does Minoxidil Work for Hereditary Hair Loss?
Minoxidil is almost always sold as a liquid or foam to rub on your scalp, once or twice a day. Because it acts as a vasodilator, it widens blood vessels near the scalp and the extra blood flow brings more oxygen and nutrients to the follicles, which in turn push resting hairs into the growth stage. It is a go-to for women who are hoping to boost regrowth in spots that have already thinned out. Since you don’t need a prescription, it’s often the first thing people grab. It tends to help with density on the crown and top of the scalp.
It typically can take from four to six months to determine effectiveness. If the patient finds that topical minoxidil is not improving their condition, they can try its oral variant. It is important that they consult with a professional before making the decision to know exactly which product to take.
At Viapromeds, we offer end-to-end telehealth consultation, prescription and delivery services especially designed for your discretion. You complete a brief telehealth consultation, receive a review from licensed healthcare providers within 24 hours, and get custom prescriptions delivered directly to their door in discreet packaging.
FAQ
Should I stop washing my hair frequently to prevent hair loss?
No. Skipping scalp hygiene can actually accelerate hair loss. Unwashed hair leads to sebum buildup, increased inflammation, microbial imbalance, and oxidative stress on the scalp. Rather than skipping washes, it is recommended to use gentler, sulfate-free shampoos (avoiding ingredients like sodium lauryl sulfate/SLS and sodium laureth sulfate/SLES).
How does Minoxidil work to treat female hair loss, and how long does it take to see results?
Minoxidil is an FDA-approved treatment that acts as a vasodilator. It widens blood vessels near the scalp to increase blood flow, delivering vital oxygen and nutrients to hair follicles to push resting hairs back into the growth stage. It typically takes 4 to 6 months of consistent use to determine its effectiveness. If topical minoxidil does not show results, an oral variant can be explored in consultation with a healthcare professional.
Can natural at-home remedies fix female hair thinning?
At-home remedies can help address specific hair concerns, but they have limitations and disadvantages depending on the underlying cause. For persistent or hereditary hair loss, natural remedies may only help so much, and medical alternatives like Minoxidil or a professional consultation may be required.
Let Your Mane Shine
Don’t let hair thinning take away your confidence or leave you guessing with trial-and-error home remedies. Take back control of your hair health today by completing a fast, discreet telehealth consultation with Viapromeds. Within 24 hours, a licensed healthcare provider will review your profile and customize a tailored treatment plan delivered straight to your door in discreet packaging, helping you step back into your full confidence with zero hassle.
About Dr. Daniel Linares
Dr. Daniel Linares has been practicing medicine in New York and California since 2005, and is board-certified in Family Medicine. As a frequent guest on various media outlets, he has become a trusted and influential voice in the community. Dr. Linares is the founder of ViaProMeds, a lifestyle medicine product line for Latino men and women.