It’s something nearly every woman dreads: the day she looks in the mirror and notices her hair becoming thinner. While you might think hair loss or thinning hair is a condition that only affects men, the reality is that it’s also become more common in women.

According to the American Academy of Dermatology, 30 million women in the U.S. are affected by thinning hair. It’s become more prevalent over the years, and some forms of hair loss are even affecting women at earlier ages.

In most cases, the cause is natural, either the result of aging or a genetic trait. Stress, crash dieting, vitamin deficiencies, certain medications, chemotherapy, emotional trauma, chronic illness or other health issues such as anemia or thyroid problems can also contribute to hair loss.

The Root of the Problem

Whatever the case may be, the key to treating it correctly is to define the root of the problem.

“The number one rule of treating hair loss in women is getting the correct diagnosis,” said dermatologist Michael Reed, M.D., an expert in female hair loss at New York University Medical Center in New York City. “If there is an underlying physical problem, it has to be corrected first.”

Donna Retif, a Houston hair stylist who specializes in helping clients with thinning hair, said that in the 21 years she has worked in the business, female hair loss has become extremely common, and in most cases, it’s a condition associated with childbirth.

“A lot of times after giving birth, women will notice their hair shedding more than usual due to the changes in their hormones,” Retif said. “It’s an experience that frightens them, but it’s natural, and the hair does eventually come back. In the meantime, there are plenty of options to treat this temporary condition.”

Among those options are the more commonly used drugs Rogaine or Propecia. But in some cases, using these medical drugs may have long term effects on hormones, and hair re-growth isn’t always guaranteed.

A variety of hair products, including topical creams, wigs, extensions or laser treatments, are available to help women looking to treat or mask their hair loss. Some spray-on products can also fill in thinning areas to camouflage bald spots, but those only provide short-term solutions.


Long Term Solutions

Perhaps the most popular solution among women is hair replacement and extensions, which Retif said makes up 90 percent of her business at The Perfect Hair by Donna, a business she operates out of Figaro Salon.

“These days, hair replacement is something women welcome,” Retif said. “It just makes life easier. Hair loss isn’t always due to aging. Some women just have thin hair and want to either add length or volume to it. And now there are so many options to help them get that look, and each of these solutions has been perfected so that it all looks natural.”

Having worn extensions herself for 21 years, Retif is a firm believer in the benefits of hair replacement. She said the eight- to 10-hour process is well worth every minute, but the key is to seek professional help so you know you’re getting a product that works.

“Any woman who is looking to treat hair loss should see someone who is a professional and is certified in treating this condition and knows the products well,” she said. “If you’re serious about treating thinning hair, it’s important that you get it done right.”


You Are What You Eat

Another solution to fighting hair loss starts with what you eat. Vitamin B12 and iron are two of the most important nutrients that contribute to healthy hair, so try incorporating more broccoli, which is high in B12, and iron-rich foods such as eggs, meat and poultry into your diet.

“The same foods that are good for your body and your health overall are good for your hair, including foods that are high in protein, low in carbohydrates and have a reduced fat content,” Reed said.

“The same foods that are good for your body and your health overall are good for your hair, including foods that are high in protein, low in carbohydrates and have a reduced fat content,” Reed said.

Treating hair loss might be a sensitive subject for some women to face. But the bottom line is that a woman’s hair is something that often defines her style and can affect her self-esteem, so finding the proper solution to the problem is essential.

“When your hair looks bad, you feel bad,” Retif said. “You can be wearing the most beautiful dress or outfit, but if you’re not happy with your hair, you won’t feel good. But when a woman has a good hair day, that’s everything for her.”


Contributing editor Clair Maciel is a Houston freelance writer.