Types of diffuse hair loss in women and methods of treatment

2023 Author: Alfred Shackley | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-05-21 13:14

When we hear about such a problem as baldness, we often imagine the male half of the population. This reaction is not surprising, because it is men who are no longer lucky with the scalp. However, ladies are not less likely to suffer from alopecia.

The difference lies in the provoking factors, due to which the hairline in women is rapidly thinning. Diffuse hair loss involves a uniform loss of hair follicles over the entire scalp. This type of baldness is the most common problem with which the fair sex visits a trichologist.

Indeed, diffuse alopecia is a sure signal that some body systems have malfunctioned. And this means that complex treatment is required with a preliminary clarification of the cause of the disease.

Telogen hair loss

There are two forms of diffuse alopecia - anagen and telogen. The anagenic form involves the loss of hair follicles due to their reaction to the aggressive effects of certain factors. Usually anagen diffuse baldness is associated with poisoning with poisons, radiation or chemotherapy. As soon as the influence of the negative factor stops, the hair is quickly restored, without requiring any special treatment. Very often, new curls that have grown after anagenic alopecia are more durable in structure, and often even have a different color.

Telogen or symptomatic hair loss is more complicated. With this type of alopecia, hair falls out due to stress or any internal diseases in the body, manifesting itself as a symptom. The hairs stop growing in the telogen phase, as a result of which they can fall out when shampooing, drying with a towel, combing and other non-aggressive physical impact.

Typically, the telogen (resting) phase extends to 15% of all hair follicles, however, if a woman has diffuse telogen hair loss, this figure reaches 80%. If stress factors have a significant effect on the body, hair loss can occur throughout the body.

Among the causes of telogenous alopecia are the following:

• excessive nervous stress and frequent stress, psychological stress;
• too strict diets with limited protein foods;
• deficiency of certain trace elements in the body, in particular, selenium, iron and zinc;
• chronic, infectious, somatic diseases;
• lack of vitamins, especially retinol;
• surgical interventions;
• pathology of the thyroid gland;
• disruptions in the hormonal background;
• pregnancy;
• long-term use of antibiotics, antipsychotics, antidepressants, etc.;
• oncological diseases;
• the presence of bad habits.

Diffuse baldness can appear in a woman some time after the onset of exposure to a negative factor. The symptom itself can manifest itself for several months after the end of the influence of one reason or another.

Treatment methods for telogen alopecia

It is possible to start eliminating the disease only after a complete diagnosis and clarification of the provoking factors. Once the cause of the disease has been eliminated, whether it is an internal disease or a negative environmental factor, it is possible to take on the treatment of diffuse hair loss. In women, as a rule, a set of measures is accompanied by consultations with an endocrinologist and a gynecologist, followed by taking the necessary medications.

Further, the process proceeds as follows:

• first, measures are taken to stop the loss of follicles;
• further, the sensitivity of the hair follicles to dihydrotestosterone, a male hormone, which is the main provocateur of baldness, is reduced;
• the normal functioning of the follicles is restored, as a result of which hair growth continues with all natural phases;
• finally, a supportive therapy is carried out aimed at strengthening the growing strands and roots.

Usually damaged and weakened follicles recover completely after 8-9 months of proper treatment.

Hormone therapy, designed to reduce the sensitivity of the roots to DHT, is selected individually. Often the process is complemented by stimulants such as medicated shampoos and masks, as well as some cosmetic and physiotherapy procedures. In addition, general strengthening measures are carried out, implying the intake of immunomodulators and vitamin complexes.

It is worth remembering that the disease is progressive and develops very quickly. Success depends not only on competent treatment, but also on the speed of your reaction. Therefore, at the first suspicion of a diagnosis, you should immediately contact a trichologist.