As women age, their hair gradually changes in color and texture. In fact, it can become less glossy, thinner, and drier. It’s perfectly normal to shed around 100 hairs per day, but as shedding accelerates, hair growth slows down, and hair follicles shrink – some follicles stop producing hair entirely, leading to noticeably thinner hair as women hit their 40s and 50s.

Let’s explore the three most common causes of hair loss in middle-aged women.

Genetics

Genetics is the most common cause of hair loss in men and women alike. The gene that predetermines if one will experience hair loss can be inherited from one or both parents. Women tend to experience hereditary hair loss after the age of 40 with approximately 40 percent experiencing noticeable hair loss by age 50. Less than half of all women will go through life without any hair loss. Also, it’s important to acknowledge that while women tend to lose less hair than men, women are less likely to socialize and more likely to suffer with low confidence and self-esteem.

Menopause

During menopause, estrogen levels drop dramatically, leading to slower hair growth and thinning, especially on the sides and top of the scalp. Ironically, some women may notice an increase in facial hair growth. Those prone to hereditary hair loss can expect even more noticeable thinning and loss due to menopause.

Postmenopausal women can also suffer from frontal fibrosing alopecia where inflammation attacks and destroys hair follicles at the eyebrows and hair line, which causes scarring. Because hair cannot grow in scar tissue, the sooner this condition is diagnosed and treated, the better.

Styling

As we age, our lifestyle choices tend to catch up to us. Think sunspots, wrinkles, and dry skin from hours upon hours spent sunbathing with minimal sunscreen. The same holds true for hair. If you put your hair through frequent and consistent traumatic styling practices in your teens, 20s, and 30s, you are more likely to have put excess pressure on roots and damaged hair follicles. Years of tight braids and ponytails, weaves, perms, relaxers, coloring, and heat styling will result in increasingly dry, brittle, and thinner hair during middle age and beyond. While you may not be able to reverse the damage already done, it’s never too late to improve your hair care routine and switch to gentler products and techniques.

But is hitting the pause button on hair loss and thinning enough for you, or would you rather look in the mirror and once again see yourself with a full head of hair? If that’s the case, we’re here to help. Here at DiStefano Hair Restoration Center, we have helped hundreds of once again enjoy all the joy of displaying a full head of hair. Can we do the same for you. Now’s the time to find it. In fact, contact us today a free consultation with our medical team so we can explain your options and determine the best course of action for moving forward.