Hair loss in women
What can be done about hair loss in women?
Our experienced dermatologists will help you with a professional assessment and by providing the best medical solution for your specific situation.
After the age of forty, as many as 40% of women experience thinning hair. This can be emotionally taxing because your hair is an important part of your identity.
Various causes can lead to excessive hair loss in women.
Extreme stress situations such as childbirth, illness or hormonal fluctuations can cause your body to temporarily lose a lot of hair. Heredity also plays a role in thinning hair.
To determine the cause of your hair loss and discuss the right treatment options, it is important to consult a specialized dermatologist.
An accurate diagnosis is essential for choosing the right treatment and predicting the treatment outcome. You can make an appointment for a personal consultation with a dermatologist to discuss your hair problem.
At our hair clinic we offer different treatment options, depending on the cause of your hair loss. Whether it's androgenetic alopecia, telogen effluvium, cicatricial alopecia or alopecia areata, we can provide you with expert advice and tailored treatment plans to improve your hair health.
Remember that not every treatment is right for everyone, and consulting a dermatologist will help you find the best solution for your specific situation. We are ready to support you in tackling your hair problems and restoring healthy hair growth.
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The most common hair problems in women are:
Hereditary predisposition to hair loss
Androgenetic alopecia
What is popularly called normal or classical baldness is medically called alopecia androgenetica. Androgenetic alopecia occurs in both men and women. Hair loss or thinning hair in women due to androgenetic alopecia is a process that - in addition to heredity - is influenced by race, gender, age and a combination of genetic and hormonal factors, in which dihydrotestosterone (DHT) plays a role.
In androgenetic alopecia, the hair follicles gradually become smaller and produce thinner and shorter hair, resulting in a loss of hair density and volume. It usually starts in specific areas of the scalp, such as the crown in men and the center parting in women, and can gradually spread to other areas of the scalp.
Hair loss in women due to 'stress'
Telogen effluvium
This form of hair loss in women can be caused by various physical or psychological stressors, such as high fever, infections, anemia, surgeries, accidents, emotional problems, strict diets or alcohol abuse.
After giving birth, many women experience a phase of telogen effluvium. The hair root stops growing and retreats more quickly in the resting phase of the hair growth cycle, resulting in increased hair loss when brushing or running your hands through the hair. Fortunately, the hair usually grows back after about six months.
In some cases, there may be a chronic telogen effluvium, where excessive hair loss in women persists for many months or even years. If you lose more than the average 100 hairs per day, this may indicate telogen effluvium and it is important to have this examined.
Patchy baldness
Alopecia areata
With patchy baldness, medically known as "alopecia areata", hair loss can occur in the form of round or oval patches without scarring. This form of baldness is caused by a malfunction in the immune system. Although there are no physical complaints, the condition can cause concern and fear for the patient and their family.
The size of the round spots can vary, either becoming larger or smaller. The bald spots can become completely or partially covered with hair again. After the bald spots disappear, they can remain absent for a long period of time, but they can also return after a few months. The course of spot baldness is therefore unpredictable and can vary from person to person.
Baldness in the front hairline
Frontal fibrosing alopecia
Frontal fibrosing alopecia, also known as FFA, is a chronic inflammatory form of hair loss that mainly affects women after menopause. It can be characterized by the gradual retreat of the hairline at the front and sides of the scalp, often accompanied by redness, itching and a burning sensation. Although the exact cause of FFA is unknown, it is believed to be an autoimmune disease, in which the immune system attacks the hair follicles and causes scarring.
Diagnosis of FFA is made on the basis of clinical examination and sometimes a skin biopsy. There are treatment options available for FFA to slow the progression of the condition.
The condition can be persistent, eventually disappearing, but will sometimes cause irreversible hair loss.
Are you worried about your hair?
We can help!
Do you notice that your hair is getting thinner? Are you losing more hair than normal? Has your hairline changed compared to the past? Are you concerned about the decline in quality of your hair and do you want to know what you can do?
Our dermatologists are experts in the field of hair problems.
During a consultation, a thorough diagnosis is made and the treatment options are discussed with you in detail, together with what you can expect. We understand that hair loss can have an emotional impact and our team of professionals are ready to support you and provide the best possible solutions.