Hair Loss in Women

About 10,000 hair roots (hair follicles) on hairy skin consistently grow and lose hair. Humans are born with a certain number of follicles and no new follicle develop throughout life. The process of hair growth and loss occurs in three phases: anagen (growth), catagen (cessation), and telogen (rest). For healthy individuals, about 85%–90%, 10%–15%, and 1% of the hairs are in the growth (anagen), cessation (catagen), and rest (telogen) phases, respectively.

The process starts with new hair production in follicles and lasts until hair is shed. Under normal conditions, baldness is not observedbecause the hair follicle cycle does not occur simultaneously in all follicles. However, a malfunction in the biological rhythm of hair follicles can cause hair loss and thinning. Normal hair fall in adults is approximately 40–100 hairs per day and can be 200–300 hairs when the hair is washed. If more than 100 hairs fall per day ina normal day, it means that a person suffers from hair loss problem.

Hair loss related to hair formation cycle disorders is observed according to the phase that is affected: telogen or anagen effluvium. Women mostly experience hair loss in reproductive periods. Telogen effluvium (TE) is the reason for hair loss mostly encountered in female patients. Alopecia areata and androgenetic alopecia (male-type hair loss seen in women) are a consequence of TE.

TELOGEN EFFLUVIUM IN WOMEN

TE is a type of hair loss in which many hair roots enter the telogen phase (resting phase) simultaneously. In TE, the hair loss rate increases from 10%–15% to 30%. The number of hair lost in a day is more than 300. TE demonstrates seasonal fluctuations. TEincreasesespecially between July and October. It is least seen in winter months and increases in April to a lesser extent than in other summer months. TE is observed more than 3 months after the triggering event. TE lasting less than 6 months and more than 6 months is termed as acute and chronic, respectively.

CAUSES OF TELOGEN EFFLUVIUM

The causes of TE include inflammatory diseases, accidents, surgical operations, severe emotional stress, diet imbalance, and labor.

Iron deficiency, drugs, thyroid dysfunction, metabolic diseases, underlying chronic diseases (renal failure, liver failure), and malignant diseases can also cause chronic TE.

Dietary habits play an important roleon TE. Keratin constitutes 80% of hair structure; therefore,inadequate protein intake causes TE. Vegetarians or people whose protein intake is less than 0.8 g/kg or who consume less than 1200 kcal suffer from chronic TE.

In practice, iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia are considered to play a keyrole in the development of TE. Iron is quite necessary for hair roots, and its biosynthetic rate is high. When iron stores are low, iron is takenfrom hair roots for more vital functions. This leadsto a decrease in hair production. Although all people with iron deficiency do not experience hair loss, depleted iron stores can cause hair loss in genetically susceptible individuals.

Another laboratory examination that should be takeninto consideration for telogen hair loss is thyroid function tests. A person who has experienced hair loss and does not have any other dermatological sign cannot be zinc deficient.  Therefore, contrary to the general belief, the serum zinc level is not a routine laboratory examination for telogen hair loss. When the zinc level is normal, additional zinc supplementation does not contribute to hair growth.

TREATMENT

In TE, hair may regrowand baldness is never seen. Acute hair falling can last up to 6 months, and treatment with supplements to feed hair roots is necessary during this period. Also, people should pay attention to the fact that shampoos used for hair clearance do not damage hair and feed hair roots.

For chronic TE cases lasting more than 6 months, it is essential to identify the underlying reason and provide treatment. Again, in this process, on one hand,treatment should be continued, while on the other hand, supplements that feed hair roots should be providedand hair clearance products that do not damage hair should be used.

Nutritional supplements and supportive products with corn extract, pantothenic acid (vitamin B5), biotin (vitamin B7–vitaminH), cysteine, and medical yeast combinations can be provided to patients having no etiology.

WOMAN’S HAIR 360^o SPRAY AND SHAMPOO

Although iron deficiency is considered the most common underlying reason forhair loss in women, some hair loss cases have unknown etiology.  WOMAN’S HAIR 360^o spray and shampoois used singly for hair loss with unknown reason and is also usedas a supplement in cases whose underlying reason is determined.

It helps to strengthen and thicken hair strands with its biotin-rich formulation, its patented active ingredients (Redensyl, HGS, D-panthenol, Procapil, and Prodew500), amino acids, and zinc, which are necessary for hair growth. It gives a strongand healthy appearance to hair. It triggers hair growth while preventing hair loss and helps increase hair density if used regularly. It provides care to excessively damaged and treated hair. It is suitable for all hair types. It stimulates hair formation in women with hair loss problems.