Hair loss is a condition that can affect anyone, regardless of gender or age. While most women have thicker and stronger hair than men, female alopecia or pattern hair loss actually affects about 40% of women by the time they reach their 50s. Additionally, women as young as 29 years old can experience hair loss as well.
So why do some women have healthier hair than others? While men’s hair and women’s hair tend to be more similar than you may think, some women, because of certain conditions such as menstruation and giving birth, naturally have to consume more nutrients than others. This causes their hair to grow healthier as a result.
What Makes Women’s Hair So Different From Men’s Hair?
Women’s hair and men’s hair actually have little to no difference. Dermatologists will often prescribe the same hair products for their patients, regardless of their genders.
So where do the differences lie? One of the main causes of the seeming difference between the male and female’s hair is in the scent of the products; products tend to already have similar ingredients, but the smell tends to be different. It’s more common for hair products to have some floral or fruity notes to them in the women’s aisle than in the men’s. This scent has caused many to believe that there is an inherent difference between the hair of men and women — which isn’t exactly the case.
It’s a common consumer perception that women’s hair tends to be more luscious. This is because they have more of it to show off. Men generally sport shorter hair styles, leaving out any chance of any gorgeous locks long enough to majestically whoosh in the wind.
Is Hair Loss Different or Similar in Men and Women?
Loss of hair in men and women have their own similarities and differences, but on the whole, hair loss has no gender bias; both men and women have chances of experiencing it.
Genetics
Your genetic makeup plays a significant role in the fate of your scalp. What’s more is that there are no ways to alter them in any way. According to a study, about 80% of men may experience hair loss by 80.
Both men and women can actually experience hair loss. For women it’s called female pattern hair loss, or FPHL. This usually begins at the back of the head, while for males it is more evident in the front.
Age
As people age, the hair follicles in their scalp begin to give out. They no longer become as effective in transporting melanin and much needed nutrients to the scalp as before. Regardless of gender, hair loss and thinning is bound to happen to those who age.
A significant phase in a woman’s life that affects their hair is menopause. Estrogen is required in the female hair growth process. In menopause, however, the ovaries slow down, which affects the amount of estrogen being produced. When this happens, the hair growth process gets disrupted, thus increasing the likelihood of women to experience female alopecia.
Lifestyle
Each gender tends to face their own stressors in life, but there are multiple ones that they share: difficult clients and coworkers; unfaithful friends and partners; family problems; even having to juggle household duties with work duties. Studies have shown that stress tends to damage hair and cause more hair fall than usual.
Hormonal Imbalance
Contrary to what some may believe, women can lose more hair than men due to the fluctuations of their hormones every month. Pregnant women especially may experience fluctuations in their hair health. But there are other factors that affect hormones that aren’t gender specific. For instance, the climate and sun exposure of someone can affect the quality of their hair. It may even affect the color. Even animals experience this climate-driven shift in hair quality.
Underlying Medical Conditions
Hair loss tends to also be a symptom of underlying health conditions. These conditions include depression, arthritis, high blood pressure, and even cancer. Men who have to undergo treatments for cancer, such as prostate cancer, tend to experience hair fall in the process.
Practices for Healthier Hair
While there aren’t direct health risks to losing one’s hair, it can still affect one’s self-esteem. Identifying the exact cause for damage to hair or hair loss will allow you to find the right treatment for it. It may also be beneficial for you to visit your dermatologist so that you can receive expert advice for how to care for your hair.
Below are some of the practices that you may incorporate into your daily life to help you grow healthier hair.
1. Get Proper Nutrient Intake
Hair relies on nutrients in order to grow healthier. This is why having a healthy diet is one of the most effective ways to make your hair healthier. Nutritional deficiencies can easily affect hair health, causing damaged hair. This is why having a balanced diet that includes a variety of foods is important to have.
While nutrients can come from a variety of food sources, dietary supplements could potentially be of some help. It’s important to still seek appropriate medical advice prior to taking any hair supplements. International units for your daily allowance of nutrients are going to depend on your biological makeup.
So what nutrients would such a daily diet include?
- Iron. Low iron levels in the body may lead to a medical condition called iron-deficiency anemia, which can be linked to hair loss. Since women tend to have low iron levels due to menstruation, some opt to take iron supplements; this has the side benefit for their hair.
To increase iron absorption, one may choose to consume more vitamin C, which can be found in oranges and orange juice, aside from taking an iron supplement. - Omega-3 fatty acids. Another study, involving adult women, found positive hair growth in the use of omega-3 supplements. Omega-3 has also been used as a prenatal vitamin, which is why some women have better hair than others.
- Vitamin D. Vitamin D deficiency has been linked to an increased risk in heart attacks for individuals. Both men and women need to manage their vitamin D levels to avoid any potential medical conditions. Aside from taking a vitamin D supplement, sources of vitamin D are fish, red meat, and egg yolk.
- Folic Acid. Not only does folic acid have effects as a prenatal vitamin for women who want to avoid neural tube defects, but it has also been found to affect hair health as well. Folic acid supplements can still be taken by men and women.
It has other benefits, such as preventing cardiovascular diseases. - Biotin. Biotin has been found to strengthen the proteins in the hair. As beneficial as it may be, consumption of biotin and biotin supplements should be discussed with your doctor prior. A symptom of biotin overdose is low vitamin B6 levels. If that occurs, seek medical expert advice immediately.
2. Practice Proper Haircare
Some people tend to use products like hair growth shampoo to help them grow their hair more. Applying shampoo wrongly may lead to damaged hair.
Shampoos work on the scalp. Try massaging and focusing more on your scalp to ensure that the shampoo targets the roots of the hair.
While using hair growth shampoos may help you, its effectiveness may vary on different factors such as its ingredients and your hair type.
3. Manage Stress
Stress can lead to telogen effluvium hair loss, which is why it’s important to learn how to manage it. A study has found that meditation may positively affect stress management.
4. Make Use of Hair Treatments
Since supplements can take too long to take effect, there are always hair treatments, like PRP therapy or hair transplants. While results may appear faster, they can be painful and costly as well.
An alternative to both taking the usual supplements and going under the knife for a hair procedure is PEP Factor from FACE Medical Supply.
PEP Factor for Hair Growth
One of the advantages of PEP Factor is that both men and women can have uses for it to supplement the growth of their hair.
One of the nutrients that hair needs to grow strong is collagen. One of the ways that you can boost collagen production is by using fibroblasts. PEP factor stimulates the fibroblasts in the scalp, encouraging the growth of stronger hair, faster. PEP Factor may also be used alongside other therapies to further promote hair growth in the body. It would be advisable to consult with your dermatologist prior to this, however.
PEP Factor is an innovative skin and scalp treatment developed by licensed doctors and scientists at UMR. Among their other projects is tackling skin cancers; they are in the process of researching and developing an effective topical skin cream that can be an alternative treatment for skin cancers.
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Learn More: How Do Males Get Thicker Hair With Supplements?
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