Hair loss in women after 50 - Best treatments

Hair loss is often associated with men, but the reality is more than 80% of women will experience hair loss in their lifetime. Hair thinning can be a life-changing experience that brings anxiety, self-consciousness, and worry. Fortunately, there are ways you can minimize or even stop female hair loss and regrow new healthier-looking hair.

Hair loss is more common as we age. The tendency for age-related female-pattern hair loss (FPHL) can be inherited from either the mother or father. This type of hair loss can start as early as the late teens - and the earlier it starts, the more severe the hair loss tends to be. Age-related hair loss begins with hair thinning over the crown. The first sign of this hair loss is gradually widening the part and thinner, smaller ponytails.

What are the leading causes of female hair loss?

• Genetics: The most common cause of women's hair loss is a familial genetic tendency caused by the effects of the male hormones (androgens) on the hair follicles. In women (and men) predisposed to hair loss, these hormones (Dehydrotestosteron -DHT) cause the hair follicles on the scalp to grow shorter and thinner hair.
  
• Aging: Female pattern hair loss (FPHL) affects more than 50% of women after 50. As we age, the increased dihydrotestosterone (DHT) levels combined with reduced scalp blood circulation associated with aging will cause follicle miniaturization and slower hair regrowth. The decrease in estrogen level accelerates these effects during menopause.
  
• Hairstyling: Excessive coloring, bleaching, and heat styling cause the hair to become brittle and dry, eventually damaging the hair structure, and causing split ends, breakage, and hair fall. Tight hairstyles like ponytails, braids, or buns that pull on the root of the hair can also cause hair loss.
  
• Diet: A balanced diet is one of the most critical elements of strong, thick hair. We need various nutrients to manage energy balance and keep our essential functions running so the body can also allocate resources for healthy hair growth.
  
• Stress: Stress significantly impacts our body by changing how it stores, manages and distributes nutrients and energy. High levels of constant stress will put the body into a fight-or-flight state and can negatively affect energy production, hormone balance, and overall health.
  

What is the best treatment for age-related women's hair loss?

There is no one-size-fits-all cure for age-related women's hair loss. To achieve results, you will need a combination of treatment products, including a medicated or plant-based scalp treatment serum, an active DHT-blocking shampoo, and oral supplements that will target your type of hair loss.

What are the best shampoos and conditioners for women after 50?

When choosing a shampoo and conditioner for thinning hair, opt for a specially formulated anti-hair loss shampoo that includes active ingredients. The best shampoo for women with thinning hair will contain DHT-blocking compounds like saw palmetto and rosemary oil, scalp blood flow stimulators like caffeine, and the essential hair micronutrients (vitamins, minerals, and amino acids).

When shampooing, focus on the scalp, massaging the shampoo into the roots. Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water to ensure no product buildup is left behind. Follow up with an active hair regrowth conditioner to repair damaged hair and add shine. Apply the conditioner evenly from the mid-hair shaft to the ends of your strands. For best results, allow the conditioner to sit on your hair for 2 - 4 minutes before rinsing thoroughly.

What is the best medicated scalp serum for women after 50 with hair loss?

When applied to the scalp and hairline, minoxidil stimulates the hair follicles to move from their resting phase (telogen) to the active growth phase (anagen) and regrow thicker, healthier hair. By enabling better blood circulation in the scalp, minoxidil helps increase the amount of oxygen and micronutrients that reach the hair follicles, causing them to produce longer, thicker hair. Research shows that more than 80% of women with genetic or age-related hair loss will see a reduction in hair shedding after using minoxidil 2% for six months.

What is the best plant-based natural scalp serum for women after 50 with hair loss?

The current understanding of women's hair loss mechanism is the basis for the recent crop of effective plant-based treatment serums. An excellent example of such a serum is the MDhair restore scalp treatment serum. This potent serum combines DHT-blocking agents with more than 20 dermatologist-formulated botanical complexes and plant proteins to stop hair loss and encourage thicker, healthier hair regrowth.

Among its ingredients is biomimetic copper peptides, which affect scalp capillaries at the cellular level to increase follicle size and grow thicker, healthier hair. It also includes saw palmetto berry, rosemary, and panax ginseng root extracts that support healthy hair regrowth by reducing the effect of DHT on the hair follicles. Hydrolyzed rice and oat proteins increase the hair and skin's ability to bind moisture, adding a natural shine to the hair. Biotin and vitamin B5 are believed to penetrate down to the hair roots, providing the essential micronutrients needed for healthier hair regrowth.

What are the best hair supplements for women after 50 with hair loss?

The role of hair supplements is to work from the inside to support hair and scalp treatment. The best hair supplements for women over 50 with thinning hair contain DHT blockers to support healthy hair regrowth and vitamins and minerals to improve scalp health. Adding collagen or peptides, the building blocks of hair, will further help improve hair growth.

Try to avoid gummies. These supplements contain a small number of active ingredients and large quantities of sugar. For best results, look for hair supplements that include the ingredients you need in one capsule daily. The best collagen peptides for regrowing hair are marine collagen peptides. These types of collagen have high amounts of collagen type I, the primary collagen used to build hair.

An excellent example of this kind of hair supplement is MDhair's regrowth Hair wellness supplements. This dermatologist-formulated supplement contains active plant extracts that block the effects of DHT on the hair follicles to stop hair loss and encourage thicker, healthier hair regrowth. Formulated with DHT-blocking saw palmetto, nettle leaf extract, and reishi and maitake mushroom extracts, these supplements can block the effects of excessive DHT on your hair roots for more robust, thicker hair. Biotin, along with vitamins B6, B9, and D, folate, zinc, and calcium, provides the essential nutrients for healthy, natural hair growth.

What is the best diet for women after 50 with hair loss?

Eating a healthy diet can support normal hair growth and help fill nutritional deficiencies causing hair loss. Pay attention to what is in your daily diet! Ensure you consume various fruits, vegetables, and whole grains that provide the body with antioxidants, essential vitamins, and minerals. Hair thrives on iron, zinc, omega-3 fatty acids, and vitamins E, B, and A. Load up on foods that fight against hair loss and free radical damage, such as:

• Leafy greens
• Nuts
• Sweet potatoes
• Salmon
• Tuna
• Legumes
• Eggs
• Dark berries

If you feel there are gaps in your diet that you are not achieving through eating whole foods, you can consider a daily supplement. Your doctor may run a blood test to check for deficiencies and, depending on the results, recommend you take biotin, zinc, iron, or other supplements to boost your intake. Preliminary studies have also shown that marine collagen plays a role in hair regrowth and can lead to luscious, long hair!

Take time to relax and recharge.

Stress and anxiety play a significant role in hair loss and are linked to three conditions that can trigger one to lose their hair: telogen effluvium, trichotillomania, and alopecia areata. Many stressful situations can cause this hair loss, from chronic illness, pregnancy, depression, post-partum, menopause, and even monthly menstruation. The good news is that stress-induced hair loss does not have to be permanent. Your hair will likely grow back if you can get stress under control. To counteract stress and protect your tresses, try these simple methods.

• Relaxation techniques such as meditation, yoga, and deep breathing
• Exercise regularly, preferably 30 minutes per day
• Spend time with people who have a positive impact on your life
• Get outside and enjoy the sunshine

References:

• Do you have hair loss or hair shedding?
• A Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Study Evaluating the Efficacy of an Oral Supplement in Women with Self-perceived Thinning Hair
• A randomized, placebo-controlled trial of 5% and 2% topical minoxidil solutions in the treatment of female pattern hair loss
• The best treatment for post-menopause-related hair loss
• The best oral supplements for women's hair loss
• Minoxidil for women's hair loss

Find the most effective hair growth products for you by taking the free hair assessment.