Causes of Female Baldness

The causes of female baldness are numerous. When you consider heredity, hormones, nutrition and hairstyling routines, it's a wonder that more women don't lose their hair. Here's a look at a healthy routine that should help you keep the hairs that you have and possibly grow some back.

Shampooing and Styling

Many women shower and shampoo once (or even twice) every day. Even the mildest shampoos cannot be used that frequently, without having detrimental effects. Your tap water could cause you problems, too.

Beauty consultants often advise models to wash their hair in bottled water before a big show. That would be too costly for most of us, but a carbon filter for the showerhead is an affordable solution. The benefits of showering in filtered water are too numerous to cover in this article. Suffice to say that it could help you keep your hair.

Ponytails, tight braids, straightening and curling irons, relaxers and chemical dyes can all contribute to bald spots and excessive thinness. Styling less, rather than more, seems to be the best solution.

Foods and Supplements

Anemia or iron deficiency is one of the more common causes of female baldness. Although anemia can affect men, too, it is far less common.

Some research indicates that eating foods with a high glycemic index (mostly simple carbohydrates) will cause hormonal changes that play a role in alopecia. There is a great deal of research concerning the health benefits of a diet with a low glycemic index. So, it's something that you might want to consider.

In addition to taking a good multi-vitamin, you might try one specifically designed for women to address the causes of female baldness. Herbs and nutrients not commonly found in a standard multi-vitamin can help reverse hair loss and strengthen the hair-producing follicles.

Exercise

What does exercising have to do with preventing or reversing hair loss? Daily, vigorous aerobic activity keeps hormone levels balanced. When combined with a healthy diet, exercise could help prevent alopecia and it's good for you, too.

Topically Applied Solutions

Most of the topically applied solutions are ineffective. From shampoos fortified with protein to spay on solutions containing caffeine, there is very little evidence to support the use of these sometimes expensive products.

There is one solution that has proven effective for most women in a number of different studies. It's called Minoxidil.

Minoxidil addresses several of the causes of female baldness, including reduced circulation, which can accompany the aging process. At one time, it was only available with a prescription, but is now sold over the counter.

Results vary, according to customer comments. It seems that the most effective products are the ones that combine the use of Minoxidil with an oral nutritional supplement.

If you decide to try Minoxidil, remember to read and follow the directions for use. Some people miss the part about applying to dry hair and that reduces the effectiveness.

Heredity is one of the causes of female baldness that is hard to address. But, there is always hope.