There are lots of myths surrounding hair loss in women. As any woman who is experiencing hair thinning and hair loss can tell you, it is not something that only affects a certain age or ethnicity. And it certainly affects women, although it is rarely the topic of discussion.

With this said, let’s go through some of these myths and correct any misconceptions.

Myths and Facts About Hair Loss in Women

First, did you know that more than 40% of women experience hair thinning and hair loss by the time they are 40 years old? It reaches 50% after age 50. By comparison, two-thirds of men by age 60 tend to have male-pattern hair loss.

Hair loss is not only a man’s problem. Women suffer from what is called female-pattern hair loss that starts at the top of their head, while men have male-pattern hair loss that starts at the front and the temples.

Rarely do women have male-pattern baldness, although it does happen. Because of the way men lose their hair, it just seems as if many more men have baldness than women.

Next, we’ll address birth control pills. The birth control pills of today are very unlikely to cause noticeable hair loss. In fact, most of the birth control pills today will help your hair grow better and are sometimes prescribed for some types of hair loss for women.

Hair loss may or may not be permanent. This really depends on the type of hair loss you’re suffering from. Many types of hair loss are due to poor nutrition or other problems that can be corrected.

This is why, here at Pretty Faces Atlanta, we address the whole woman, to try to pinpoint the reason for hair thinning and hair loss. As a medical physician, Dr. Jing Jing will perform a thorough consultation, and can recommend the best type of treatments available to address your specific type of hair loss.

If you think only older women lose their hair, think again. The truth is a young woman can lose hair just as much as an older woman. Although hair loss is more common for women after age 40 or right after pregnancy, some young women who are suffering from PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome) can suffer hair thinning as young as 14 or 15 when they get their menstrual cycles.

The next myth “vitamins and supplements can cure hair loss” may be doing you more harm than good. This totally depends on the reason you’re having hair loss. Don’t add any supplements to your diet without talking to your doctor and getting a blood test. This is because even some vitamins, like vitamin A, can trigger hair loss if you are taking too much.

Washing your hair does not make it fall out. The truth is, washing your hair is good for your scalp. Don’t wash your hair less just because it’s falling out. In fact, getting a good scalp massage is good for hair growth, as is washing off oils containing hormones which may increase hair loss in women.

Brushing your hair does not make it fall out, either. You may see strands of hair falling out when you brush your hair, but not brushing will not make your hair fall out more slowly. Your scalp needs stimulation, so it’s better to brush your hair and especially your scalp every day if possible. Most people lose between 100 to 150 strands of hair a day, and that’s completely normal. Do not be alarmed if you are losing that much.

If you notice your hair thinning, or bald patches on your scalp, contact Pretty Faces Atlanta to find out if there is an underlying reason and discuss your treatment options.