Advertisement
Steps to prevent or treat thinning hair
Most of us shed hair a little at a time — pretty much all the time.
Advertisement
Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy
But sometimes a larger-than-usual clump of hair, trapped in your brush or clogging your shower drain, surprises you. Then you wonder, “Am I losing hair permanently?”
The real question should be: “What’s behind my hair loss?”
“Hair goes through cycles, where it grows and then falls out,” explains Ob/Gyn Lynn Simpson, MD. “So you should expect some shedding.” You can expect to lose between 50 and 150 hairs daily.
Hair naturally cycles through three phases:
“If you feel like you’re losing an excessive amount of hair, talk to your doctor. You’ll need an evaluation,” she says. More than half of all women experience noticeable hair loss over time.
You can avoid hair loss and promote regrowth when hair loss is temporarily caused by:
Advertisement
Tight hairstyles. Tight ponytails, braids and cornrows can all cause hair loss and damage the follicles, which regulate hair growth. Changing hairstyles can help prevent thinning. But beware: When the follicles sustain too much damage, hair loss can be permanent.
Extreme physical shock/stress. Dramatic changes in the body can cause temporary hair loss. Giving birth, rapid weight loss, surgery and certain illnesses may cause more hair loss than usual, typically in the resting phase. But hair should grow back over time.
Medical therapies and toxic substances. Chemotherapy, certain other drugs and radiation treatments can prompt hair loss, mainly in the growth phase. Hair loss can strike suddenly, anywhere in the body. It is typically temporary (unless the follicles are damaged).
Nutritional deficiencies. Not getting enough iron, protein or vitamin B12 in your diet can also cause your hair to thin. If this happens to you, talk to your doctor about supplements.
Hormonal imbalances before, during and after menopause can lead to more permanent hair loss, Dr. Simpson says.
Female pattern baldness is largely genetic, affecting hair along the top of a woman’s head. This typically begins when estrogen levels drop.
A scalp injury that causes scarring can also cause permanent hair loss, she says.
“The healthier your body, the healthier your hair,” notes Dr. Simpson. Her basic tips for staying healthy and having healthy hair over the years include:
If your hair is thinning, your doctor may recommend taking biotin, iron or other supplements, or massaging 5% minoxidil (Rogaine®) into your scalp once daily, she says.
Advanced treatments are available for more serious hair loss.
Hair loss can be frustrating for women. But consult your doctor before you start to worry; thinning hair is often reversible, Dr. Simpson says.
“Give your doctor a full hair history — when the thinning began, where and how extensive the thinning is, and any relevant symptoms,” she says.
“It’s the best way to determine if hair loss is from shedding or breakage, which helps determine treatment.”
Advertisement
Learn more about our editorial process.
Advertisement
You may be more prone to hot flashes if you have anxiety, but hot flashes can also rev up anxiety
While there’s little risk in trying this hair care treatment, there isn’t much science to back up the claims
The scenarios vary based on how many pills you’ve missed and whether you take a combination pill or progestin-only pill
Despite popular opinion, scientific research shows that most birth control methods don’t contribute to weight gain
Calm an itchy scalp by using medicated shampoo, avoiding blow-drying and resisting the urge to scratch
Lanugo — the soft, fine hair that develops in utero — is harmless and will shed within a few weeks
Both are needed for a healthy body
Heat starts in your chest and moves up to your neck and face … and then, the sweating begins
Focus on your body’s metabolic set point by eating healthy foods, making exercise a part of your routine and reducing stress
PFAS chemicals may make life easier — but they aren’t always so easy on the human body
While there’s little risk in trying this hair care treatment, there isn’t much science to back up the claims