Can Women Have a Receding Hairline?
Some hair loss is normal since we lose an average of 50-100 hairs each day. If you’re a female experiencing hair loss, you’re not alone. Today, more than 50% of women experience balding.
You might wonder what to do next when you’re experiencing a receding hairline. This article will go over whether women do experience a receding hairline. Read on to explore the answer to this question and learn about different treatment options today.
What Is a Receding Hairline?
A receding hairline in women is due to hair loss around the temples. This can mean that it stops growing or thins out. While it’s more common in men, women can also experience a receding hairline as well.
Receding Hairline Symptoms
After you take a bath, look at the tub or floor. Determine how much hair is on the floor or tub. If it seems like more hair than usual, then you’re experiencing hair loss.
When you brush your hair, take a look at your hairbrush. A larger amount than usual is a sign as well. Requiring more loops to tie your hair back is a sign of hair loss. This means that your hair is thinning over time. Take a look at your hair to see if you notice a receding hairline. Take the steps necessary to prevent further hair loss.
Patchy Bald Spots
Take a look at your hair and see if you notice any patchy or circular bald spots on your scalp. It can also impact your eyebrows. Before your hair falls out, it might be painful or itchy.
Loose Hair
You might notice large handfuls of hair coming out when you wash or comb your hair. Even when you tug at your hair it can fall out. This is more common in hair thinning instead of bald patches.
Understanding the Cycles of Hair Loss
Your hair goes through 3 cycles, telogen, anagen, and catagen:
- The first phase is the anagen phase. The anagen phase is also known as the growing phase. It can last for years, though hair in your eyebrows, legs, arms, and eyelashes have a short anagen phase of about 1 month.
- The catagen phase is the transition phase. This is when your hair follicles decrease and take about a few weeks.
- The telogen phase is the resting phase. It takes about 2-4 months and leads to hair loss.
Receding Hairline Causes
Women can inherit female pattern baldness, but this is more common in men than women. As a female reaches middle age, hair loss can be more common. Menopause can lead to a hormonal imbalance that causes hair loss.
Stress
Experiencing extreme stress is one of the top receding hairline causes. Stress causes your hair follicles to go into a resting phase of the hair growth cycle.
If your hair is falling out as well, this can lead to thinning hair or bald patches. The good news is hair loss due to stress is temporary.
Health Conditions
Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia is the main cause of a receding hairline in women. This can be due to the immune system or hormonal changes.
It begins as a slow process with scarring of the scalp and hair loss. While there’s no cure for this, there are medications that can slow down the process.
Traction Alopecia is when your hair falling out is due to the strain from pulling of the hair. Ponytails can lead to pulling on your hair. Choosing scraped-back hairstyles can lead to a loss of hair as well.
Pregnancy
Pregnancy can lead to hair loss. When you’re pregnant, there’s an increase in estrogen. This hormone helps your scalp retain hair. After birth, you’ll notice a decrease in estrogen, and any excess hair will fall out.
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome can also cause hair loss as well. It’s when there’s an imbalance of reproductive hormones. These hormones can lead to problems in the ovaries. It can cause hair loss, acne, and irregular periods as well.
Your body produces a large number of androgens with this condition. Androgens are the male hormones. You might notice that you suffer from an excess of body or facial hair with this condition. Along with this, hair loss on your scalp is common.
Genetics
If genetics is to blame for your hair loss, then it’s much harder to stop. Hair follicles on the side of your head are the most common to lose.
Age
As you age, your body experiences hair loss. Besides genetics, your body might be experiencing a receding hairline due to the natural cycles of your body. Those most likely to experience hair loss are:
- Menopausal women
- Women who receive chemotherapy
- Tight hairstyles such as braids or ponytails
- Women who just had a baby
- Women older than 40
Medications
Birth control pills lead to receding hairlines and your hair to thin. This can include the shot, ring, pill, etc. Medications for heart disease, high blood pressure, arthritis, and depression can cause it as well.
Avoid taking steroids since they can lead to hair loss as well. Once you stop taking steroids, then your hair will grow back.
Infections
If you’re experiencing an infection, you’ll want to see your doctor right away. Dandruff and ringworm can both attack your hair follicles. This can lead to hair loss in the infected area.
Thyroid Issues
Your thyroid produces hormones that regulate different processes in your body. If your thyroid makes too much or too little of hormones, it can lead to hair loss.
Menopause
Menopause can cause your hair to either thin or grow in areas it hasn’t before. This is due to the change of hormones in this stage. Your progesterone and estrogen drop in this stage of your life, while your androgen levels increase.
Different factors that can lead to hair loss include:
- Miscarriage
- Surgery
- Scalp infections
- Radiation therapy
- Supplements
- Medications
- Stress
- Cornrows and other hairstyles that pull your hair tight
- Poor diet
- Autoimmune disorders
- Perms
- Hot oil treatments
Preventing Hair Loss
In order to avoid hair loss, avoid hairstyles that are tight on your hair. This includes cornrows, braids, buns, or ponytails. Don’t twist, pull, or rub your hair for long periods of time. Avoid chemical treatments such as hot oils or perms. Avoid or limit the use of curling irons or hot rollers.
Quit smoking, and avoid sitting out in the sun for too long. If you’re receiving chemotherapy, use a cooling cap to decrease the amount of hair loss.
Mediterranean Diet
One study finds that following a Mediterranean diet may reduce your risk of androgenic alopecia. It might also slow its onset as well. The foods you’ll want to eat a large amount of include salad greens, parsley, and basil more than a few days a week.
Vitamin A
Choose foods rich in vitamin A such as sweet peppers, spinach, and sweet potatoes. Vitamin A might produce sebum which keeps your scalp retaining hair and maintain a healthy scalp.
Biotin
Biotin, also known as B7 or vitamin H, is responsible for the fatty acid synthesis in your body. Those who don’t get enough in their diet might experience hair loss.
Avoid Processing Your Hair
Coloring your hair and getting perms can damage your scalp and hair. Find out if organic hair dyes are an option. Many don’t contain peroxide, ammonia, and para-phenylenediamine.
Use Coconut Oil
In one study, researchers think that coconut oil might prevent hair damage from light exposure and grooming. This is due to lauric acid which binds the proteins in your hair.
Promoting Hair Growth
One of the best treatment options for receding hairlines and hair loss is eggs. This is because they have plenty of biotin and protein. A lack of protein in your diet can lead to hair loss. Eggs also have selenium, zinc, and other hair-healthy nutrients.
Berries
For thicker hair, choose berries. The antioxidants that you find in berries are what protect your hair from damage. Strawberries have vitamin C as well. Vitamin C is what your body uses to produce collagen. This vitamin also helps your body increase the amount of iron it absorbs as well. This is vital since anemia can lead to hair loss.
Fish
Choose fatty fish such as mackerel, salmon, and herring. This is because they have high amounts of omega-3. While there aren’t a large number of studies on omega-3 for hair growth, the current findings are promising. Fatty fish have plenty of B vitamins, vitamin D3, protein, and selenium.
Nuts
Choose almonds since they have a large dose of vitamin E. You can find different essential fatty acids, B vitamins, and zinc. Nuts are also great for reducing inflammation in your body as well.
Shrimp
Shrimp has a large amount of vitamin D, B vitamins, iron, and zinc. Shrimp is low in fat but still has a large amount of omega-3.
Beans
Beans have plenty of zinc which helps with hair growth. You’ll also find folate, iron, and biotin as well.
Hiding Women’s Receding Hairlines
While you’re waiting for treatment products to work, choose layers and part your hair in the center to hide hair loss. Ensure that your hair is long enough to achieve this look. Another option is to incorporate bangs. Curly hairstyles are a great option as well since they add volume to your hair. Tousled looks are another option as well since they can make your hair appear fuller.
Next time you go to your hairstylist, ask for a volumizing blowout. This is a great way to use curves in your hair to hide bald spots. Another option is choosing an asymmetrical bob with a deep side part.
Powder Usage
A secret that hairstylists use is root touch-up powder to give the illusion of a thicker hairline. Choose a root spray that covers up grays.
Coping With Hair Loss
Whether your hair loss is temporary or permanent, it’s a good idea to have a support system such as friends and family. Remember that most hair loss is temporary. Try out different hairstyles to mask hair loss.
The Outlook for a Receding Hairline
Remember that a receding hairline is a step right before changes in your hairline or baldness. Take a look at your siblings and other relatives to get an idea of your hair loss. Today, there are many restorative options for hair growth including different products.
Once you receive a diagnosis, it’ll determine the outlook of your hairline. Many who suffer from hair loss wind up losing confidence in themselves, and avoiding social events. When you receive early treatment of alopecia (hair loss), that’s the sooner that you can promote hair regrowth and reduce thinning.
If you notice itching or dryness, you’ll want to consult your doctor right away. Certain conditions can cause hair loss as well. If you’re suffering from dandruff or seborrheic dermatitis, your dermatologist can prescribe a special shampoo for the dryness.
Exploring if Women Can Have a Receding Hairline
While a receding hairline is less common in women than men, it’s still a common condition that many women suffer from. If you notice the symptoms of a receding hairline, take action right away to maintain (and even restore) your physical appearance and confidence.
