Although balding is most often associated with men, women can suffer from thinning hair as well. According to the American Hair Loss Association, common causes of female hair loss are female pattern baldness, physical trauma, fungal infection, hormone changes and damage to the hair follicles. If you notice a large amount of hair in the shower drain or while brushing, speak to your doctor. Before treatment, he may want to run some tests to determine the cause of the thinning hair.
Step 1
Keep the hair out of restrictive styles. Hair follicles can become damaged if you often place the hair in cornrows, braids and ponytails.
Step 2
Limit the use of heat-based styling products. Blow dryers, straighteners and curling irons can all lead to hair breakage and worsen the condition. Sun exposure can also damage the hair. A hat should be worn while outdoors or sunscreen applied. There are types of sunscreen available made specifically for the hair.
Step 3
Purchase an over-the-counter minoxidil topical solution. Choose a 2 percent concentration, the recommended version for women. Apply the minoxidil to the scalp twice a day. Minoxidil opens up the hair follicles to stimulate hair growth. A popular manufacturer of minoxidil-based hair loss products is Rogaine.
Step 4
Speak to your doctor about another treatment method for female hair loss. If you are unable to treat the thinning hair at home, your doctor can recommend other therapies. Oral contraceptives, hormone replacement drugs and water pills have been prescribed for hormone related causes of thinning hair. If a fungal infection is present and causing the hair loss, the topical anti-fungal medication Ketoconazole can be prescribed.
Tips and Warnings
- Propecia is an oral drug often used to treat hair loss in men. It is not typically recommend for women since there is a risk of birth defects if a woman becomes pregnant while taking the drug.
Things You'll Need
- Minoxidil 2 percent topical solution
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