Do you experience receding hairline as a woman? This problem can be slight or serious. Get insight signs, causes including in young women. We will also look at treatments such as surgery, hair transplant as well as ways to reverse it.
Meaning
A receding hairline refers to the progressive hair loss experienced by women and men resulting in a slight baldness. This progressive pattern is more common in men than in women. Often, it begins as a thinning, first on either side of the forehead.
It doesn’t just look unseemly; it can be a devastating blow to confidence and self-esteem. Hair loss in women is a problem that is more widespread than is commonly realized.
Signs
Women can only have realized the problem with thinning as they rarely go bald so usually, they don’t experience it. Thinning can be extremely annoying for women, as every woman loves her hair.
Ways to detect it include:
- Keep an eye on your hair tie as if you need another loop of the same band to secure it, it means that you have gradual hair loss.
- Check your hairbrush regularly after every brushing session, if you daily see a lot entangled in the brush, it is a clear sign you losing it.
- After every wash, there will be more seen on the bathroom floor or in the bathtub when you are experiencing above-average hair fall.
Causes
If you have this problem, here are some of the main causes you need to know:
1. Genetic Predisposition
The most common cause is the genetic predisposition of the person. If there is a family history of this condition, then not much can be done to prevent or curb it.
The follicles along the scalp, especially those along the lateral sides of the forehead, are genetically sensitive to dihydrotestosterone (DHT). DHT can cause the hair to recede. Without this genetic trait, you most likely won’t suffer from this problem until you get older.
2. Hormones
Along with genes, various hormonal changes in the body that can be causing the hairline to recede. When DHT comes into contact with hair follicles, it causes them to shrink in size. This shrinkage affects the growth, hence producing finer strands than normal. Such easily fall out.
Normally, another one replaces those that are shed. But DHT prevents growth, which leads to this kind of a hair loss.
3. Medication
Also, it can be a side effect of medicines of blood pressure, heart disease, depression, cholesterol, and gout. Cancer patients who have gone through chemotherapy suffer from a sudden and massive hair loss that continues even after the treatment.
4. Insufficient Nutrition
When the body does not receive the required amount of nutrition, it begins displaying symptoms to warn us that there is something wrong. Hair loss could be one such symptom.
5. Stress
While many may not believe or agree with this, stress has been linked with hairline receding and loss as well. While we all are extremely busy, we forget that every minute of stress can lead to severe health problems, the first sign of which may be something as insignificant as this problem.
5. Age
A common cause is an age. The National Institutes of Health explains that people experience a thinning of hair as they grow older, so it isn’t uncommon to see a recession along the hairline as you advance in years.
6. Overuse of chemical-based hair products
Continuous use of these products for a longer period to enhance beauty has a side effect of it receding in women in case they overuse it such as the gel. Nicehair.org has info on the gels can have a negative effect as an example of chemicals you may be using.
7. Pregnancy
This is due the reduction of estrogen levels during pregnancy in turn causes hair loss. Betrendsetter.com has more details receding hairline in men and women and explains in details who pregnancy can cause a temporary recession in women.
8. Thyroid problems
They are a common cause of scattered loss. Both an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism) and an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) can cause hair loss. This associated with thyroid disease can be reversed with proper treatment.
Young or receding in teens
This problem can be stressful. Most of the time, such loss during the teen years is temporary. With temporary cases, it usually grows back after the problem that causes it is corrected.
According to the Mayo Clinic, a history of pattern baldness on either side of the family increases the chances of having a receding hairline. According to Nemours Teens Health, male-pattern baldness can also be caused by taking steroids to build muscle.
Livestrong.com has something more on receding hairline in teens you can also see in case this is a major problem for your case.
Treatment and how to reverse it
Treatment and reversal can be done through the following:
1. Surgery
The most common type of female is seen in our practice is thinning of the anterior hairline or the one above the forehead. We recommend medical therapy first prior to any surgery. In some women, the hairline recedes in addition to thinning.
Causes include genetics, pulling it back too tightly, medications, aging, and previous surgery, among others.
2. Transplant
For balding individuals, the promise of regaining their hairline with the help of transplant can seem all too good to pass up.
According to Armani, problems often arise when the transplant is done before a one has fully finished losing all of his hair – making it a risky procedure for younger people who may continue to lose for many years even after a a transplant.
3. Clear the pores in the scalp
To protect your scalp and nourish it, your body naturally secretes oil called sebum through the skin on your head. If you’re not careful, sebum can combine with pollutants, hair products, and dead skin cells to produce a layer of plaque that embeds itself into the scalp preventing new growth.
Some people have success using an aloe vera based shampoo and conditioner, which is thought help bring the plaque to the surface and then break it down.
Taking a morning shower may also help. A Japanese study showed that those who showered in the morning had less plaque buildup and sebum production throughout the rest of the day.
Performing regular scalp massages with herbs have also worked for many men. Concoctions of rosemary and nettle can help to reduce the secretion of sebum and reduce any excess plaque and oils.
4. Increase the amount of intake of specific amino acids
Hair is made up of keratin and collagen. Keratin is the fibrous protein that makes up the bulk of its shaft. It is also found in our skin and nails. Collagen helps to maintain its strength and is involved in the growth process.
Many people suffering with a receding hairline have seen success by including foods that contain high amounts of the amino acids that make up the proteins keratin and collagen. It is thought that these amino acids can improve the structural integrity of follicles, and promote faster growth.
5. Improve the blood circulation to your head
Your hair receives all the nutrients and amino acids it needs via the bloodstream. Those who suffer from a recession often have issues with blood circulation to the scalp, starving it of the nutrients and amino acids needed for healthy growth.
Other factors that influence growth
Optimize other factors, which influence your its growth
a. A healthy diet
A healthy balanced diet is essential for the growth of healthy hair. Do your best to include plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds, whilst avoiding heavily processed foods.
b. Reduce stress levels
The stress hormones cortisol and epinephrine that are released during stressful times have been shown to alter the natural growth cycles of normal, healthy strands. Our bodies are designed to withstand acute, short-term stressors, but long-term stress can cause significant problems.
Avoid Alcohol Containing Products
Alcohol can dry out your scalp and cause scalp and hair issues. It is important to read the ingredients of the products you use and to ensure that it does not contain any alcohol. Make sure you use alcohol-free products to help your scalp stay moisturized.
Massage Your Scalp
Massaging your scalp can increase the blood flow to follicles. This will make them much healthier, and facilitate growth. You can use essential oils to massage your scalp such as rosemary and lavender.
References
- Get-a-wingman.com: How to Stop a Receding Hairline
- Quora.com: Can I reverse hair loss and actually regrow hair on a receding hairline?
- Stylecraze.com: Receding Hairline – 5 Causes And 4 Treatments For Receding Hairline:
- Recedinghairlinewomen.com: Receding Hairline Solutions for Women