The class-action lawsuit against Wen, alleging that the company’s cleansing conditioner led to hair loss, has placed female hair loss in the spotlight.
But most hair loss isn’t because of a specific beauty product, and women actually make up 40 per cent of those experiencing hair loss, according to the American Hair Loss Association.
"There are many types of hair loss that women can experience, and each are caused by different things and have their own specific management protocols,” says Dr. Tsippora Shainhouse, a Beverly Hills dermatologist. Different treatments work for different people — and different underlying causes. And sometimes hair loss is related to a medical issue, like a hormonal or autoimmune condition or a medication side effect. That’s why it’s important to find out why your hair is thinning or falling out — both to determine the best course of action and to rule out a serious problem.
It’s also important to know is that if you are a woman experiencing hair loss, you are not alone and your situation is not hopeless. "A good percentage of women deal with hair loss,” says hair stylist and cosmetology expert Stephanie Johnson. "Many factors can contribute to this including genetics, illnesses like autoimmune disorders from hypothyroidism to alopecia and even care of the scalp and the body."
If you are one of these women, here are 12 things you should know about hair loss — from what causes it to how it can be prevented or treated.
