Wherever confidence in our appearance stems from, a woman’s hair is usually part of the overall package. In fact, research in the UK has shown that, on average, women spend almost £40,000 on looking after their hair in their lifetime! That’s a staggering amount by any means, but it does highlight the importance women place on maintaining a healthy, well-groomed head of hair. Whether it’s at the salon, or at home, using styling tools or styling products, the lengths we go to in order to look good are many and varied.
So, what happens if our crowning glory becomes compromised? How would you feel if you started to suddenly lose your hair? It’s not necessarily a common occurrence, but for the women who experience it the effects can be quite devastating. Let’s have a look at what causes sudden, excessive hair loss in females, and what can be done to resolve sudden hair loss.
What is the normal rate of hair loss?
For the average person, an acceptable level of hair loss is between 50 – 100 strands per day. Anything significantly more than this may require some investigation, but there are several factors to take into consideration. There are many things that contribute to hair loss, some are temporary, some more permanent. Once you have identified the reasons behind the increase in hair loss you will be better placed to find a solution. Finding out what causes sudden excessive hair loss in females is the first step to finding a solution. The reasons behind hair loss tend to fall into two main categories. Let’s have a look at these in a bit more detail.
What causes sudden hair loss
Telogen Effluvium tends to affect women from 30-60 years of age. The overriding factor that causes this is stress, which can be present for a number of reasons. On average, someone presenting with this issue would expect to lose around 300 strands of hair on a daily basis. Stress comes in many forms and is experienced for a variety of reasons. Some women find themselves suffering from psychological stress, others have experienced some form of physical trauma. Changes in medication, extreme diets and even hormonal changes all count as stress related conditions that go some way to explain what causes sudden excessive hair loss in females. The menopause alone can throw you into enough of a stressful state to cause you body to react by shedding hair. These stresses force the hair to suddenly move from the growth phase into the resting phase. The resting phase is the time when hair is shed. So, if there is no new hair to compensate for the loss, the result is noticeable hair loss and thinning.
The other main contributor, when looking at what causes sudden excessive hair loss in females, is alopecia. This is an autoimmune condition that causes the body to attack hair follicles, causing the loss of more than 100 strands per day. This can also be brought on by physical or emotional stress, severe infection or even certain medications. Thyroid diseases, iron deficiency and surgery may also have an impact on your likelihood of experiencing hair loss. In addition, it can be hereditary, and the excessive hair shedding usually lasts up to six months. The hair loss tends to be patchy and can cause round, bald patches. Roughly 2% of the population are affected by alopecia, and the search for what can be done to resolve sudden hair loss becomes more of a priority.
If you think you might be susceptible to losing your hair there are a few things you can try to minimise the risk. So what can you do to avoid sudden hair loss? It might not be easy to completely cut out your usage of styling tools, but try to avoid using high heat tools on a regular basis. Chemical treatments and bleach can also contribute to weakening the hair which can result in hair loss, so use these things sparingly and try to find more natural based alternatives. Even pulling the hair back tightly to achieve certain hairstyles can damage the hair, so treat your locks with kindness and you will have a better chance of maintaining your crowning glory.
How can I get my hair to grow back?
Once you know what causes sudden hair loss in females you can look at the best ways to deal with the issue. Some suggestions are more time consuming and costly than others, but there should be something for everyone, regardless of how much you are prepared to go through to reverse the damage. A simple change in diet and lifestyle will serve as a strong foundation to any other treatments, so it’s a good place to start. More intense treatments include light therapy, hormone therapy and certain medications that can be prescribed by a professional.
There are more sophisticated procedures available, such as hair transplant procedures. These should only ever be carried out by experienced surgeons with a wealth of experience in the field. Here at Enhance Hair Restoration, we offer surgical and non-surgical treatments and cater for all types of hair loss problems. From lotions and medication to surgical procedures we are able to cater for a wide range of circumstances and budgets alike. Whether or not your hair is likely to grow back without treatment depends largely on the reason for the hair loss in the first place. Understanding what causes sudden excessive hair loss in females is the first step. Treatment can then be tailored to your particular set of circumstances.
If you have experienced sudden hair loss, don’t despair. There are solutions out there to deal with most cases. It’s certainly worthwhile getting in touch with us here at Enhance Hair Restoration where we can calm your fears and manage your expectations accordingly. Be patient though, the solutions are not immediate, but if you find the right treatment for your condition you should be able to improve the appearance and health of your hair.
