Hair above the ears and at the back of the head is relatively spared. In contrast, women develop diffuse thinning over the entire scalp that is most pronounced over the crown. Baldness is only seen in a minority of women less than five per cent.

Patterned baldness is the most common cause of hair loss in both men and women, and is the result of genetic and hormonal factors. Hereditary baldness is so common that it is considered to be a normal part of the ageing process. All men and women will be affected by patterned hair loss at some stage in their lives.

While the majority of men have developed temporal recession by their mid 20s and noticeable balding by their mid 50s, for most women, hair loss is mild and only occurs later in life. However, when hair loss is premature or severe, it can cause distress.

A range of treatments is available to slow or reduce hair loss, and stimulate partial regrowth. The human body is completely covered with hair follicles, except on the palms of the hands, soles of the feet and lips.

Most follicles are tiny, and many of the hairs they produce do not grow long enough to emerge out from the pore. Hair is made from a protein called keratin. The only living part of the hair is the root sometimes known as the bulb , which is attached to the base of the follicle.

The follicle supplies oxygen and nutrients to the root, and lubricates the hair shaft with an oily substance called sebum. Hair is in a constant cycle of growth, rest and renewal. On the scalp, there are approximately , hair follicles.

Over the course of three years, every one of these follicles will produce a hair that grows, rests, falls out and then regrows.

That means that every 1, days, you shed , hairs. This equates to hairs shed every day. As long as the new hair that grows from that follicle is the same as the one it replaces, the hair density will remain constant.

In patterned hair loss, hormones affect the follicle, making it smaller and the new hair becomes shorter and finer than the one it replaces. Eventually, the new hairs are so short and fine they become invisible and the scalp becomes bald. It is likely that several genes determine susceptibility to baldness.

Identical twins lose hair at the same age, at the same rate and in the same pattern. This indicates that genetic factors are more important than environmental factors in causing hair loss. Androgenetic hair loss is caused by androgen hormones produced in different amounts by both men and women that affect the hair follicles in people with a genetic susceptibility.

Some people think that stress , diet , wearing hats, frequent washing and drinking alcohol are causes of hair loss, but researchers have found no link between any of these activities and patterned hair loss.

There is some uncertainty about smoking cigarettes and hair loss, but the evidence is not strong. While there are a number of treatments available for male pattern baldness, there is no cure.

Treatments include minoxidil, and finasteride. Minoxidil lotion is available over the counter from pharmacies, but finasteride tablets are only available on prescription from your doctor. Cosmetic options include camouflage sprays, wigs and hair transplant surgery. Hair loss in women produces scattered thinning over the top of the scalp rather than a bald spot.

Patterned hair loss occurs in over 55 per cent of women as they age. For most women, the hair loss is subtle, but about 20 per cent of women develop moderate or severe hair loss. A number of treatments are available for female pattern hair loss, including topical minoxidil lotion not recommended for pregnant or breastfeeding women , and tablets such as spironolactone, which have antiandrogen properties they lower the levels of male hormones.

Although there is no cure for hair loss, a number of treatments can slow or reduce hair loss, stimulate partial regrowth or replace damaged hair. Surgical hair transplantation can help some men who have advanced balding. Despite advances in our understanding of hair loss, there are limits to current treatment.

In particular, age-related hair loss and inherited forms of hair loss are difficult to reverse, although treatment may prevent further loss and produce partial regrowth. Non-surgical treatments include lotions and tablets. These generally need to be used continuously for the benefits to be maintained.

If you stop treatment, regrowth will cease and hair loss will resume. Cosmetic options include wigs and hairpieces. A number of other treatments have been suggested for hair loss, including massage, vitamin supplements, herbal remedies such as saw palmetto , zinc, amino acids, hair lotions and tonics.

This helps speed up tissue repair. A review noted that most studies suggest that this therapy reduces hair loss, increases hair density, and increases the diameter of each hair.

However, because most studies up until now have been very small, the review calls for more research using platelet-rich plasma for androgenic alopecia. If hormone imbalances due to menopause , for example, cause hair loss, doctors may recommend some form of hormone therapy to correct them.

Some possible treatments include birth control pills and hormone replacement therapy for either estrogen or progesterone. Other possibilities include antiandrogen medications, such as spironolactone.

Androgens are hormones that can speed up hair loss in some women, particularly those with polycystic ovary syndrome, who typically produce more androgens. Antiandrogens can stop the production of androgens and prevent hair loss. These medications may cause side effects, so always speak with a healthcare professional about what to expect and whether antiandrogens are suitable.

In some cases where other treatments are not effective, a healthcare professional may recommend hair transplantation. This involves taking small pieces of the scalp and adding them to the areas of baldness to increase the hair in the area naturally.

Hair transplant therapy can be more costly than other treatments and is not suitable for everybody. Some minor hair loss may happen due to clogged pores on the scalp.

Gently massaging shampoo into the scalp and resisting the urge to rub it into the hair when rinsing can help to prevent damage to hair, according to the American Academy of Dermatology Association AAD. They also recommend using conditioner each time after shampooing.

An older review from notes that using certain types of medicated shampoos may also help reduce and prevent hair loss. Avoiding damaging treatments such as heat, curling irons, and dyes may also help.

Read more about preventing hair loss. Eating a healthful diet may support normal hair growth, as well. Typically, a healthful diet will contain a wide variety of foods, including many different vegetables and fruits. These provide many essential nutrients and compounds that help keep skin and hair healthy.

Learn more about other home remedies for hair growth. Iron levels may also play a role in hair health. Females with hair loss can speak with a healthcare professional for a blood test to check if they have an iron deficiency.

They may advise consuming an iron-rich diet or taking an iron supplement. Learn more about iron deficiency and hair loss. Massaging the scalp may increase circulation in the area and promote hair growth.

Research from showed that regular scalp massage helped to make hair thicker. The researchers noted that this may be due to how scalp massage stimulates the tissues of the skin in the area. The most common cause of hair loss in females is androgenetic alopecia, which has strong links to genetics and can run in families.

According to research , hair loss from androgenetic alopecia may start at a young age. Some females may begin losing their hair in their late teens or early 20s, though most females may not begin to lose their hair until their 40s or older.

Both males and females can develop androgenetic alopecia, but they experience it in different ways. Males tend to experience a receding hairline or bald spot on top of their head, while females tend to present different symptoms. In females, the parting at the center of the hair often becomes more defined or wider.

Their hair may also appear thinner or patchier overall. These symptoms are due to a thinning of each hair strand. The hairs also have a shorter life cycle, and only stay on the head for a shorter period.

Female pattern hair loss is a progressive condition. Females may only notice a slightly wider parting in their hair at first, but as symptoms progress, this can become more noticeable. Other forms of alopecia, such as alopecia areata, may cause one or more patches of complete baldness.

Other factors may play a role in hair loss, such as inflammatory conditions that affect the scalp and hormone imbalances.

Healthcare professionals may want to investigate these possible causes if the person does not respond to typical treatments. While losing hair at a young age may be concerning, hair loss is a reality for many people as they age. Type II is characterized by decreased volume and noticeable widening of the mid-line part.

Type III describes diffuse thinning, with a see-through appearance on the top of the scalp. Almost every woman eventually develops some degree of female pattern hair loss. It can start any time after the onset of puberty, but women tend to first notice it around menopause, when hair loss typically increases.

The risk rises with age, and it's higher for women with a history of hair loss on either side of the family. As the name suggests, androgenetic alopecia involves the action of the hormones called androgens, which are essential for normal male sexual development and have other important functions in both sexes, including sex drive and regulation of hair growth.

The condition may be inherited and involve several different genes. It can also result from an underlying endocrine condition, such as overproduction of androgen or an androgen-secreting tumor on the ovary, pituitary, or adrenal gland. In either case, the alopecia is likely related to increased androgen activity.

But unlike androgenetic alopecia in men, in women the precise role of androgens is harder to determine. On the chance that an androgen-secreting tumor is involved, it's important to measure androgen levels in women with clear female pattern hair loss.

In either sex, hair loss from androgenetic alopecia occurs because of a genetically determined shortening of anagen, a hair's growing phase, and a lengthening of the time between the shedding of a hair and the start of a new anagen phase.

See "Life cycle of a hair. The hair follicle itself also changes, shrinking and producing a shorter, thinner hair shaft — a process called "follicular miniaturization. Each hair develops from a follicle — a narrow pocket in the skin — and goes through three phases of growth.

Anagen A , the active growth phase, lasts two to seven years. Catagen B , the transition phase, lasts about two weeks. During this phase, the hair shaft moves upward toward the skin's surface, and the dermal papilla the structure that nourishes cells that give rise to hair begins to separate from the follicle.

Telogen C , the resting phase, lasts around three months and culminates in the shedding of the hair shaft. A clinician diagnoses female pattern hair loss by taking a medical history and examining the scalp. She or he will observe the pattern of hair loss, check for signs of inflammation or infection, and possibly order blood tests to investigate other possible causes of hair loss, including hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism , and iron deficiency.

Unless there are signs of excess androgen activity such as menstrual irregularities, acne, and unwanted hair growth , a hormonal evaluation is usually unnecessary. Medications are the most common treatment for hair loss in women.

They include the following:. Minoxidil Rogaine, generic versions. This drug was initially introduced as a treatment for high blood pressure, but people who took it noticed that they were growing hair in places where they had lost it. Research studies confirmed that minoxidil applied directly to the scalp could stimulate hair growth.

Clearly, minoxidil is not a miracle drug. While it can produce some new growth of fine hair in some — not all — women, it can't restore the full density of the lost hair.

It's not a quick fix, either for hair loss in women. You won't see results until you use the drug for at least two months. The effect often peaks at around four months, but it could take longer, so plan on a trial of six to 12 months.

If minoxidil works for you, you'll need to keep using it to maintain those results. If you stop, you'll start to lose hair again. How to use minoxidil: Be sure that your hair and scalp are dry. Using the dropper or spray pump that's provided with the over-the-counter solution, apply it twice daily to every area where your hair is thinning.

Gently massage it into the scalp with your fingers so it can reach the hair follicles. Then air-dry your hair, wash your hands thoroughly, and wash off any solution that has dripped onto your forehead or face.

Don't shampoo for at least four hours afterwards. Some women find that the minoxidil solution leaves a deposit that dries and irritates their scalp.