Why Do Women Lose Hair at the Back of Their Heads? Is It Treatable?

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Losing hair sucks, to put it bluntly. For some, it may show up as a wide hair part, an m-shaped hairline or thinning at the crown, but it can be tough to deal with no matter what it looks like. 

Male hair loss might seem more commonplace, while female hair loss can feel isolating and like no one is talking about it.

But more than half of all women eventually find themselves with less than a full head of hair, so you’re definitely not alone If you’re wondering specifically what causes female hair thinning at the crown, we’ve got you covered. 

Keep reading to learn more about the major causes of hair loss, what’s happening behind the scenes and how to bounce back after seeing more of your crown — and not the cool tiara kind.

Causes of Hair Thinning at the Crown for Females

There can be a lot of factors that contribute to hair loss, from genetics to hormonal shifts to nutritional deficiencies. But one thing is certain: no matter what type of hair loss you have, it’s important to act quickly and early as possible. 

Getting a firm diagnosis and starting treatment early will help stop hair loss in its tracks (even if you may not see any regrowth of the hair you’ve already lost). Basically, keeping what you have is way easier than losing a bunch and trying to regrow it. 

But you probably also want to know why you’re losing hair in the first place. A few common causes of hair loss at the crown are: 

Female Hair Loss


  • Androgenetic alopecia: Also called androgenic alopecia, this most common form of hair loss seems to boil down to genetics, although the links aren’t totally clear yet. And when we say it’s common, we mean that up to 50 percent of males and females experience this kind of hair loss in varying degrees during their adult lives. Androgenetic alopecia may be one potential culprit of women’s hair loss on the back of the head. Also referred to as female pattern hair loss (FPHL), this condition may be related to certain hormones called androgens. The connection is a little murky though, because the majority of women with FPHL neither have abnormal androgen levels nor do they have signs or symptoms of excess androgen. Yeah, we’re also hoping science will figure that one out soon. 

  • Telogen effluvium:  Drastic weight loss or a sudden illness like COVID-19 can actually make your hair fall out. This type of excess shedding after a stressful event is known as telogen effluvium. Additionally, sudden hair loss can happen if you have a reaction to medication or even a nutritional deficiency.

  • Alopecia areata:  While this type of hair loss often starts on the scalp or face, it can also cause bald patches on the top of your head. This type of hair loss can also be tied to genetic predisposition where the body attacks its own hair follicle.

(RelatedHow to Prevent Hair Loss in Women)


Hormonal Changes

Sure, menopause is notorious for hot flashes, but for many, it can come with female pattern hair loss or telogen effluvium as well. During this time, estrogen levels are reduced, while androgen concentration goes up.

This increases your levels of dihydrotestosterone (DHT), the hormone that causes hair follicles to produce thinner, weaker hair. 

Over time, each hair follicle shrinks and the hair becomes finer and finer until there are only short vellus hairs or no hair growth at all. This cycle eventually leads to bald and/or thinning areas. For some, this pattern shows up most prevalently with thinning at the crown.

Some studies estimate that 20-60 percent of women experience some form of hair loss before reaching the age of 60. If you feel like this sounds a whole lot like what you’re going through right now, our guide to menopause hair loss is another great resource. 


Health Conditions


Doesn’t thick, shiny hair seem like a beacon of good health? In that same vein, thinning hair might be a sign of a deeper health issue. 

The most common type of hair loss caused by health conditions is telogen effluvium, which can be brought on by a sudden illness, drastic weight loss, stress or other health issues: 

  • Weight loss: Losing a bunch of weight quickly before that beach vacay may seem like a good idea, but your hair might not feel the same way. Sudden weight loss and nutritional deficiencies from dieting may impact both hair structure and hair growth.

  • Nutritional deficiencies: Let’s talk more about nutritional deficiencies. The body is complex and while you may feel like it craves more gummy bears, your follicles may actually need zinc or biotin.
    Vitamins, minerals and other micronutrients play important roles throughout your body — including for your hair, although their important role in healthy hair follicle development isn’t clearly understood.
    So most importantly, make sure you have a healthy diet in place. Also check with your healthcare provider to see if your blood tests indicate any deficiencies that may be inhibiting healthy hair growth. This way, you can supplement appropriately.

  • Thyroid issues: Underlying health problems like autoimmune diseases and/or thyroid disorders (like hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism) can trigger hair loss for some — specifically telogen effluvium.
    Additionally, hypothyroidism can make the strands you do keep look dry and dull, while hyperthyroid issues can lead to thinner hair and a brittle or greasy feel.

  • Medications: Certain drugs can cause reactions that lead to hair loss. Hair shedding can occur as a side effect of certain medications, including retinoids, beta-blockers, anticoagulants, anticonvulsants and thyroid medications.
    While it’s not a common side effect, it’s something you may want to check with your healthcare provider or dermatologist about if you’ve experienced sudden hair loss and have recently started a new medicine. 

Tight Hairstyles 

Love a high and tight pony? Sorry to break it to you, but your scalp may not. Tightly pulled-back styles like ponytails, braids or buns can cause traction alopecia. This form of hair loss happens when these hairstyles that pull on the hair cause targeted hair loss over time.

How to Fix Hair Thinning at the Crown

There are several hair loss treatments on the market that can help address hair thinning at the crown and promote new growth. You should always speak with your healthcare provider to determine which one is right for you, but let’s get a little educated on some of of the most common options:

  • Topical Minoxidil 
    Commonly sold under the brand name Rogaine®, minoxidil is an FDA-approved topical or oral medication that stimulates hair growth. Though its exact mechanism of action is still unknown, it’s believed to work by encouraging more oxygen, blood and nutrients to go into the hair follicle. Hers has two formulations that can help hair thinning at the crown. 

    • Minoxidil drops: This dropper style format makes it easy to target a bald spot.

    • Minoxidil foam: An easy-to-apply foam that can be quickly applied directly to your scalp. 

  • Oral Minoxidil
    Oral minoxidil is a great pick for someone who doesn’t want to use a topical product. Studies have shown that low-dose oral minoxidil (OM) can be an effective treatment for numerous hair disorders, including female-patterned hair loss.
    Minoxidil requires the presence of an enzyme called follicular sulfotransferase, but some people don’t have high enough levels of this enzyme in their hair follicles. In those cases, an oral form may be a better option. 

  • Spironolactone for Hormonal Changes
    Spironolactone is a prescription medication that helps block androgen production, which in turn decreases your levels of DHT. Studies have shown that this once-daily pill can be helpful in treating hormonal female pattern hair loss and promoting new hair growth.

  • Cover Up Your Crown Balding
    Patience is a virtue, and hair loss treatments typically can take a couple of months for visible results. But in the meantime, you can instantly cover up a bald spot with a hair powder. These pigmented fibers lay on the scalp to cover thinning, instantly creating the look of hair at the crown. 
    But if you really want to know how to hide crown balding, a faux hair piece is your best bet. You can speak to your hairstylist to get a halo hair extension or wig to cover thinning. Our article on hairstyles for women with hair loss has more ideas too. 

  • Lifestyle Habits for Healthy Hair
    A little TLC in your hair care can go a long way. Make sure to shampoo your scalp for an optimal foundation for healthy hair growth. Not washing often enough can lead to high sebum levels which can be irritating to the scalp.

(RelatedHow Much Hair Do You Lose in a Day?)

Addressing Female Hair Thinning at the Crown

We know nobody wants to feel like they look like a grandpa with a prominent bald spot at the crown. But the best way to avoid this is to act early to find the root cause of and right treatment for the hair loss you’re experiencing on the back of your head. 

There are options that can help you both temporarily and in the long run. If you think you’re experiencing signs of thinning in any other areas, our guide on female pattern hair loss is a great resource. But for hair thinning at the crown, here’s what you need to remember: 

  • Figure out the root cause for your hair thinning at the crown — from weight loss to hormonal changes or stress, knowing what’s going on will clue you into what treatment to try. 

  • Treat yo self ASAP. No, seriously. This is not a case of good things coming to those who wait. It’s better to act fast and keep the hair you have than waiting for it to get any worse. There are various hair growth treatment options that can help kickstart new growth and preserve the hairs you have.

  • Take cover. While you wait for hair loss treatments to kick in, try temporary and instant ways to conceal like a new haircut, hair extensions or hair powder. Ain’t no shame in that game, k? 

This article originally appeared on Forhers.com and was syndicated by MediaFeed.org.

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Discover the Most Popular Hairstyles the Decade You Were Born

Discover the Most Popular Hairstyles the Decade You Were Born

There are so many things that define each decade, from the food we eat to the clothes we wear. But none of the things we’ve looked back on were quite as polarizing as the hairstyles. From piled-high funky styles to buzzed dos, here are the most popular hairstyles from the decade you were born, spanning from the 40s to the 2000s. 

Wikipedia / Mediafeed

Inspired by the glitz and glamour of Hollywood women at the time, the victory roll hairstyle featured tight curls pinned toward the face to frame it. Victory rolls were customizable, so you could opt for a single roll or different symmetrical or asymmetrical versions of dual rolls. 

Other popular hairstyles of the decade for women included tight curls, waves, and the pageboy. Women were also big on hair accessories, particularly the snood, which was essentially a crocheted bag used to cradle the hair and keep it in place. Both men and women sported the infamous pompadour during the ’40s. Men were also partial to quiffed hair or short curls and were also prone to just slicking their hair back.

Wikipedia / U.S. Army – Yank, the Army Weekly

Everyone knows the beehive hairstyle, whether you associate it with the ’50s or Amy Winehouse. All you had to do to be cool in the 1950s was pile your hair on top of your head in a conical shape to resemble a beehive. Lots of hairspray was needed for this one.

If your hair wasn’t long enough for the beehive, you might have sported other bouffant hairstyles, a poodle cut, an Italian cut, victory rolls, or even a pixie cut. Men were still into the slicked-back look along with side parts, the pompadour, or — if they were influenced by Elvis later in the decade — a Rockabilly do.

Wikipedia / Warner Bros.

Bouffant (derived from the French verb “bouffer,” which means to puff or fluff up) hair became popular during the 1950s, but dominated in the 1960s thanks to the iconic Jackie Kennedy sporting the style. The puffy, rounded hairdo was especially popular among housewives during the ’60s. 

Women also gravitated toward shorter hairstyles (influenced by Twiggy), including pixie cuts and flipped bobs and, for long hair, bangs. Men styled their hair with everything from the bowl cut and the ducktail cut to shag cuts and styles copying The Beatles.

Public Domain / Wikipedia

During the 1970s, the afro became a symbol of cultural and political expression, particularly within the African American community. The style pushed back against Eurocentric beauty standards and celebrated natural Black hair. Influenced by icons like Angela Davis and the Jackson 5, the afro surged in popularity, crossing racial and cultural boundaries to become a mainstream fashion statement. Its voluminous shape was achieved through techniques like picking, and its prominence spread among both men and women.

Separately, and inspired predominantly by Farrah Fawcett, long, feathered hair was also sought after during the ’70s. 

Wikipedia / GeorgeLouis at English Wikipedia

Whether it was crimped, curled, teased, spiked into a giant mohawk, or cut into a towering flattop, the most iconic ’80s dos could all be tied to one main group: big hair. During this decade, freedom of expression was fully embraced and displayed through hair. Styles like Jheri curls were popular thanks to Michael Jackson, and Billy Ray Cyrus spearheaded the popularity of the business in the front, party in the back mullet. The ’80s were eclectic times that reeked of Aqua Net and perms. 

Wikipedia / Allan Light

You didn’t even need to be a fan or viewer of “Friends” to ask your hairdresser to give you “The Rachel” in the ’90s. Everyone knew exactly which version of Jennifer Anniston’s hair you wanted. Layered, framed around the face, and shoulder-length was the style that ruled the decade. Chunky highlights, side bangs, and hair flipped out at the bottom were also wildly popular during the decade. And who could forget chopsticks carefully stuck into buns? All the rage. 

If you were a cool dude during the ’90s, you might have had frosted tips, spiky hair, or cornrows.

IMDb

All you needed was a few bobby pins and some hairspray to make a pulled-back pouf happen, and every girl in the 2000s was on board. High ponytails and pigtails, choppy layers, and money-piece braids were a go-to as well. 

Skater boy hair/emo boy haircuts that swooped halfway across a guy’s face were also iconic during the 2000s. Who else remembers watching guys shake their heads in slow motion to get the hair out of their eyes like they were playing a role in the “Baywatch” intro? We shudder at the memory. On the opposite end of the spectrum, buzz cuts were prominent, along with faux hawks. 

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Featured Image Credit: triocean/Istockphoto.

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