Why Women Lose Their Hair and What They Can Do About It
Red Light Therapy and Minoxidil Offer Clinically Proven Solutions for Hair Loss In Women
“It’s only hair”, some might think. That may be true, but most women know how a “bad hair day” affects their confidence. The truth is that part of getting healthy is the idea of simply being the best you can be, and that includes your hair … especially where women’s hair loss is concerned.
Our bodies are complex machines. Different chemical processes – digestion, red blood cell creation, and bone growth, for example – are constantly occurring inside the human body. But one small shift in the body’s chemicals, like a hormone imbalance or genetic mutation, can produce a notable change.
Hair loss is no different. Though we usually equate balding with men, many women go through chemical changes that affect their hair growth and can lead to thinning hair.
Women represent 40 percent of Americans experiencing hair loss or thinning, yet it remains a sensitive topic. As such, many women are unaware of the causes and treatments, so we’re here to address three of the most common factors that affect hair loss in women, and what options they have to improve thinning hair.
Both men and women shed between 80 to 100 hairs each day as a normal part of hair’s natural growth cycle. However, hormonal changes, stress, and certain hairstyles can affect hair growth, leading to thinning hair or hair loss.
How genetics, hormones, and stress play a role in female hair loss
Genes, which determine your height and eye color, can also be the root cause of hair loss. Women typically experience genetic hair loss through the distributed thinning of hair across the scalp as they age, in contrast to the horseshoe pattern of balding that typically affects men.
While thinning hair is easier to hide than bald spots, it usually means women are not viable candidates for hair transplants. Generally, about 50 percent of balding women do not have a large enough donor area to take hair from.
Hormonal Shifts and Stress-Related Hair Shedding
Another factor in women’s hair loss is the delicate balance of hormones. A condition called telogen effluvium causes large amounts of hair shedding, driven by hormonal imbalances. Hair grows in cycles, and telogen effluvium speeds up the growth and shedding cycles, leaving more follicles in the telogen, or dormant, phase, which causes rapid hair loss.
This condition typically affects more women than men, and it can occur because of stress, major surgery, and childbirth, for example. But telogen effluvium can spring up at any time, and then go away, all depending on the hormonal balance in the body. Generally speaking, women experience periods of hair loss during major hormonal shifts in life, typically in their 30s, 50s, and after menopause.
Traction Alopecia and Styling-Related Hair Loss
Another common condition that affects women is traction alopecia, which occurs when hair is pulled out from the scalp. Think about plucking an eyebrow – pulling out the occasional hair won’t do much harm, but constantly plucking the same hairs over the course of many years will affect the follicles’ ability to grow hair, or new hair will simply grow in shorter or thinner. Traction alopecia is common after years of wearing tight hair styles such as weaves, corn rows, and extremely tight pony tails.
Combating thinning hair, hair loss with Red Light Therapy and Minoxidil
If you see hair starting to thin or begin experiencing hair loss, there are options available; the two treatment options backed by clinical research and testing, and FDA clearance, are Minoxidil (the active ingredient in GroWell’s topical solution) and low-level light therapy (LLLT), also commonly known as Red Light Therapy.
Red Light Therapy vs. Minoxidil: How They Work Differently
Though they work differently, both are proven to stimulate new, fuller hair growth. One advantage of Red Light Therapy is that it excites hair follicles into activity with no known side effects. It’s also considered a more convenient treatment, easily delivered in short treatments a few days a week, using such products as the GroWell cap for hair growth. For the first six months, users receive 20 to 25 minutes of light therapy every other day. After this initial treatment period, they only need to receive LLLT once or twice a week to maintain growth. In contrast, hair loss sufferers who rely on Minoxidil for hair growth must apply the topical two times a day, every day for as long as they want to have hair.
Why Follicle Health Matters for Hair Regrowth
Minoxidil and Red Light Therapy/LLLT are realistic choices for women who experience hair thinning or loss. However, once a hair follicle has been damaged or is dead, it cannot be revived – you can’t grow hair from dead hair follicles. So while LLLT can help many women who experience thinning hair, the strength of results depends on the health of the follicle.
Why Hair Loss Feels Different for Women
In sum, everyone experiences hair loss but it’s no secret that it affects men and women very differently. Men certainly aren’t happy about it when it happens, but they’re expected to just accept it and nicknames or jokes about balding are pretty common among men who sometimes just take their fate in their own hands and shave their heads completely. Contrast that to when a woman’s hair is thinning: no one expects a woman to simply accept balding as normal. There are no good-natured nicknames, friends and family don’t joke about it (certainly not in front of them!), and for most women shaving her head is not an option. For a woman, losing her hair is, in a word, unacceptable. But what can be done?
Choosing Proven, FDA-Cleared Solutions
While many over-the-counter shampoos, gels, supplements, and certain food items claim to assist in hair growth, these products often aren’t verified by clinical testing or FDA clearance. The GroWell Hair Growth Cap is a home-use, hands-free way to see what Red Light Therapy can do for your hair loss that’s FDA-Cleared, safe, proven effective and comes with a 12-month Money Back Guarantee. What do you have to lose except more hair?
Hair loss can feel overwhelming—but understanding the cause is the first step toward real results. With the right tools and a consistent approach, many women are able to restore thicker, healthier hair over time.
Frequently Asked Questions About Women's Hair Loss
Is hair loss normal for women?
Yes. Hair loss is extremely common in women, especially during periods of hormonal change, stress, or aging. While shedding a small amount of hair daily is normal, noticeable thinning, widening of the part, or increased shedding may signal an underlying issue that can often be addressed with the right treatment.
What are the most common causes of hair loss in women?
Women’s hair loss can be triggered by several factors, including hormonal fluctuations (pregnancy, postpartum, menopause, thyroid issues), stress, genetics, nutritional deficiencies, medical conditions, and styling-related damage. Most women have one primary cause, even though multiple factors may contribute over time.
Can stress really cause hair loss in women?
Yes. Physical or emotional stress can push hair follicles into a resting phase, leading to a condition called telogen effluvium. This often results in increased shedding a few months after the stressful event. The good news is that stress-related hair loss is usually temporary and can improve once the underlying stressor is addressed.
What hormone causes hair loss in women?
Hormones play a major role in female hair health. Changes in estrogen, progesterone, thyroid hormones, and androgens like DHT (dihydrotestosterone) can all contribute to hair thinning. Hormonal imbalances are especially common during postpartum recovery and menopause.
What does female pattern hair loss look like?
Unlike men, women typically experience diffuse thinning across the scalp rather than a receding hairline. Common signs include a widening part, reduced ponytail thickness, and thinning at the crown while the frontal hairline remains intact.
Does red light therapy work for women’s hair loss?
Yes. Red light therapy—also known as low-level light therapy (LLLT)—has been clinically shown to stimulate hair follicles, improve blood flow to the scalp, and support thicker, healthier hair growth in women. It’s non-invasive, drug-free, and well-tolerated, making it a popular option for female hair thinning. Apira Science, makers of the GroWell products, conducted two studies in which all treated participants regrew hair, proving that our combination of laser and LED red light, delivered at 655nm, is 100% effective. Click here to read our hair regrowth studies.
Can women use red light therapy and minoxidil together?
Absolutely. Many hair restoration specialists recommend combining red light therapy and minoxidil treatments for better results. Red light therapy can enhance scalp circulation and follicle activity, while topical minoxidil supports regrowth by prolonging the hair growth phase. Using them together often leads to more noticeable improvement than either treatment alone.
How long does it take to see results from hair regrowth treatments?
Hair regrowth takes time. Most women begin to notice reduced shedding within 8–12 weeks, with visible improvements in thickness and density typically appearing after 3–6 months of consistent treatment. Continued use is important for maintaining results. In the scientific studies conducted by Apira Science, makers of the GroWell product, 100% of treated participants regrew hair within 4 months.
Is women’s hair loss reversible?
In many cases, yes—especially when the cause is identified early. Hormonal imbalances, stress-related shedding, and nutritional deficiencies often respond well to targeted treatments. Genetic hair thinning can also be managed effectively with consistent, long-term therapy.
When should a woman see a doctor for hair loss?
If hair loss is sudden, severe, or accompanied by other symptoms like fatigue, weight changes, or scalp irritation, it’s a good idea to consult a healthcare provider or dermatologist. A professional evaluation can help pinpoint the cause and guide the most effective treatment plan.