What causes thinning of hair in females?

Thinning hair may be caused by lifestyle habits, genetics, or both. Certain medical conditions may also lead to thinning hair.

Lifestyle habits may include:

• Over-treating your hair. This includes color treatments, perms, and relaxers.
• Using harsh hair products. This includes extreme-hold hair sprays and gels.
• Wearing tight hairstyles. Whether you’re wearing an up-do or pulling your hair up in a ponytail for working out, this can tug on your hair and break it from the follicles, causing thin spots over time.
• Not getting enough iron, folic acid, and other minerals in your diet. These all help follicles produce hair naturally.
• Experiencing chronic stress. Stress is related to an uptick in hormones like cortisol. Too many stress hormones may kill off new hairs that are trying to grow.

Thinning hair may also be hereditary or from underlying medical conditions. You might have thinning hair if you:

Less commonly, thinning hair may be caused by:

• pulling at your own hair
• eating disorders
• a high fever

Some cases of thinning hair may be treatable at home. Consider the following 12 options, but be sure to talk with your doctor first.

1. Scalp massage

Perhaps the cheapest method of trying to get thicker hair is scalp massage. It doesn’t cost anything, and if done correctly, it isn’t harmful.

When you wash your hair, gently apply pressure with your fingertips around your scalp to encourage blood flow. For even more benefits, you can try a handheld scalp massager to also remove dead skin cells.

2. Essential oils

Essential oils are liquids derived from certain plants, and they’re primarily used in aromatherapy and other types of alternative medicine.

Lavender oil has been used with success by some people with pattern baldness. It’s also backed by animal research from 2016, though human studies are needed to confirm its effects. Lavender is often combined with other oils, such as those made from rosemary and thyme.

Still, there’s not enough evidence that essential oils can treat baldness or thinning hair. If you do decide to give this treatment a go, make sure that your essential oil is diluted in a carrier oil.

Test a small amount of the oil on your arm and wait 24 hours to see if any reaction develops. Redness or other irritation, hives, or a rash could indicate an allergic reaction.

3. Anti-thinning shampoo

Anti-thinning shampoo works in two ways. First, such products provide volume for your hair, so it looks thicker. This can be helpful for people who have thinning or naturally fine hair.

Shampoos for thinning hair or hair loss also contain vitamins and amino acids to promote a healthier scalp. To get the best results, use these products as directed.

You can also ask your doctor about a prescription-strength shampoo.

4. Multivitamins

Healthy hair is dependent on your overall good health. In cases of malnourishment, or with certain eating disorders, new hair may fail to generate from follicles. A blood test can help determine if you have a nutrient deficiency.

If you’re low in several key areas, your doctor might recommend a daily multivitamin. Healthy hair needs iron, folic acid, and zinc to keep growing thick and strong. Look for daily supplements for men and women that meet this criteria.

However, you should avoid taking any extra vitamins if you’re already getting the nutrients you need. There isn’t any evidence that doing so will reverse thinning hair, and getting too much of certain nutrients may actually do more harm than good.

5. Folic acid supplements

Folic acid is a type of B vitamin that’s important for new cell generation. A few studies have suggested that folate deficiency may be associated with some types of hair loss.

But as with multivitamins, there isn’t enough evidence that folic acid is guaranteed to help make your hair thicker.

6. Biotin

Biotin, or vitamin B-7, is a water-soluble nutrient that’s naturally found in foods, such as nuts, lentils, and liver.

If you eat a balanced diet, it’s unlikely that you’re low in biotin. However, supplemental forms of biotin have been on the rise in recent years, thanks in part to marketers promising more energy and better hair growth with such products.

While biotin helps break down enzymes in your body, there’s little evidence that it can help with thinning hair.

You shouldn’t take biotin if you take vitamin B-5 supplements. When taken together, they can reduce the efficacy of one another.

7. Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids

Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids are called essential fatty acids. This is because they can’t be made by the human body.

Omega-3 helps your body fight inflammation, an underlying cause of numerous conditions. Premature hair loss may also be related to inflammation.

Omega-6, on the other hand, is important for overall skin health, which might benefit the scalp.

Plant-based oils are primary sources of omega-6, while omega-3 fatty acids are found in fish and some seeds. If you don’t normally consume such foods, talk with your doctor about taking a supplement.

8. Minoxidil

Best known as its brand-name Rogaine, minoxidil is an over-the-counter hair loss treatment approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

When applied directly to the scalp twice a day, minoxidil may gradually thicken hair in balding spots. The product is available in either liquid or foam, depending on your preference.

Rogaine can take up to 16 weeks for visible results. It’s important that you use the product consistently, or you might not see results.

Scalp irritation and unwanted hair growth on the face and neck are possible side effects.

9. Spironolactone

Spironolactone (Aldactone) is sometimes prescribed for people who have thinning hair related to androgen production. While technically a “water pill,” Aldactone is an anti-androgen, too.

In women, this medication may help treat thinning hair and subsequent hair loss related to hormonal fluctuations.

10. Finasteride

Finasteride (Propecia) is a prescription hair loss medication. Unlike topical treatments like minoxidil, Propecia comes as a daily pill that men take for hair loss.

Women should avoid this medication due to serious side effects. People who are pregnant or nursing should also avoid the medication.

11. Corticosteroids

Corticosteroids are prescription treatments used for conditions linked to underlying inflammation. Sometimes, inflammatory conditions can cause a variety of symptoms, including hair loss.

12. At-home laser therapy

Laser therapy is typically used by dermatologists and other skin specialists. The FDA has cleared the way for some products to be used at home.

At-home laser therapy for hair is intended to help regrow your hair while also making it thicker. The results can take several months to take effect.

The biggest drawback of at-home laser therapy is the cost. Some machines are sold for hundreds of dollars, and they may not work. Talk with your doctor before making a large investment.

Although it’s common to lose hair throughout the day, it’s a good idea to speak with your doctor if you’re losing more than 100 hairs per day.

You should also talk with your doctor if you’re worried about persistent hair loss or a receding hairline, or if you notice sudden patchy hair loss. Patches of hair loss could signify an underlying medical condition.

Any number of lifestyle factors, genetics, recent life events (such as extreme weight loss in a short period of time or giving birth), or medical conditions can cause your hair to thin.

Lifestyle factors could include using certain hair products, wearing your hair up too tightly, experiencing high stress levels, or not getting enough of certain vitamins and minerals in your diet.

People who have immune system deficiencies could also have thinning hair.

Can thinning hair grow back?

Thinning hair can grow back depending on what caused it to thin in the first place. Individuals who experience thinning hair due to nutrient deficiencies, stress, pregnancy, and other non-genetic reasons could experience regrowth.

If you’re experiencing new hair loss or hair thinning, it’s best to consult your doctor. Some medical conditions can be associated with thinning hair.

Why is my hair suddenly thinning?

Suddenly thinning hair could be caused by a variety of reasons, such as a period of extreme stress, pregnancy, discontinuing birth control pill use, hormonal changes, a high fever, or pulling at your hair.

Sudden hair thinning that’s persistent or hair falling out in clumps could be the sign of an underlying medical condition. Talk with your doctor if this occurs.

What shampoo should I use for thinning hair?

Because thinning hair can happen for a number of different reasons, you might have to go through a trial-and-error period to find the shampoo that works best for you.

Some shampoos are aimed at reducing hair loss, while others aim to thicken existing hair.

Prescription-strength shampoo for thinning hair is also an option that you can speak with your doctor about.

While the process of thinning hair can be concerning at first, many types of thinning hair are treatable.

If you’re experiencing new hair loss or hair thinning, or if you’re developing any bald spots, you should talk with a doctor. They can help you detect any underlying medical conditions, as well as offer any related medications.

Hair transplants may be another option for advanced alopecia.