Frontal hair loss in women

Curling irons, straighteners or buns. Tight bangs, hair extensions or tight braids...

Modern women wear many different hairstyles, but no matter which one you prefer, there is one look that never goes out of style: thinning hair.

As awful as it may feel to look in the mirror and see a bald scalp where there used to be hair, you can take comfort in the fact that you're not alone: Not even half of all women go through life with a full head of hair. Female hair loss is a well-known and widespread problem.

In this blog post, you will find out what to do if you notice thinning or bald patches at the frontal hairline (also known as frontal hair loss).

There are different forms of hair loss in women

If the hair on the crown of your head is thinning, you are suffering from androgenetic alopecia, which is simply genetic hair loss, by far the most common form of hair loss in women.

However, if you are losing hair around the frontal hairline, you may be suffering from frontal fibrosing alopecia (FFA). This form of hair loss is less common and usually affects post-menopausal women.

What is the cause of frontal hair loss in women?

There are many reasons why you may be losing hair at the front of your head. As mentioned above, one factor could be FFA. The causes of FFA are still unknown, but there are some theories.

As cases have risen exponentially in recent decades - especially in Western countries - some researchers suspect an environmental trigger.

It's also possible that certain types of sunscreen and makeup trigger FFA, but more research is needed to support this theory. (So don't stop using sunscreen on your face! After all, there is plenty of research on skin cancer!

It is more likely that a hormonal change such as a lack of oestrogen triggers FFA, as it mainly occurs in women during and after the menopause. As if hot flushes weren't enough...

How can you tell if you have an FFA?

If you think you have FFA, a healthcare professional can make the diagnosis. He or she will take a thorough medical history and may recommend a scalp biopsy.

The earlier the diagnosis is made and the faster the treatment is carried out, the greater the likelihood that the hair follicles will not be permanently damaged - so don't put off the diagnosis!

What else can cause frontal hair loss in women?

Not all frontal hair loss is due to FFA. There may also be other causes.

Have you recently had a baby? This can be a very stressful event (even if it's not a form of psychological stress) and it can cause hair to thin, including the hair at the front of the scalp.

This form of (stress-related) hair loss is known as telogen effluvium and is primarily known as diffuse hair loss. This form of hair loss is the second most common after genetic hair loss.

The good news is that this is usually only a temporary phenomenon. So if you lose an excessive amount of hair for more than 2-3 months, you should definitely see a specialist.

The way you style your hair can also cause hair loss at the front. Tight updos such as buns and ponytails can permanently damage the hair follicles and lead to a condition known as traction alopecia.

The worst thing about your bangs? Once you've seriously damaged your hair follicles, your hair can't grow back. (Ariana Grande, are you listening to us?)

If you see broken hair along your hairline, a receding hairline or missing hair where your hairstyle is too tight, you need to stop subjecting your hair to strong pulls to give it a chance to grow back.

Treatment of hair loss

Once a specialist has determined whether your frontal hair loss is FFA, diffuse hair loss or traction alopecia - a suitable treatment can be suggested to you.

Get your hair back

Frontal hair loss can be devastating, but the sooner you discover it, the better you can fix it. So the first and most important step is always to seek professional help in good time.

At the HAARKLINIK , we aim to offer our customers the best possible way to combat hair loss and other scalp and hair problems using the latest analysis technology, tried-and-tested treatment methods and in cooperation with the world's leading product manufacturers and trichology companies.

‍