Alopecia in Young Women: A Problem with a Solution

Alopecia in young women is a condition that many of us tend to keep secret. We do not like to admit that we are losing our hair, and that is completely understandable. However, this should not stop us from looking for solutions. In this article, we will explain the key points to understanding the causes of female alopecia and what can be done to treat it.

Female Alopecia

We have discussed female alopecia on previous occasions. We have explained its causes and the available treatments. However, when young women develop hair loss, it is a more specific situation that requires a detailed analysis.

At a young age, androgenetic alopecia—the most common type of hair loss in Spain—should not normally begin to develop. However, it does sometimes occur. Certain circumstances, such as stress or hormonal changes, can trigger the process earlier than expected. Pregnancy can also trigger alopecia in young women.

Another cause of alopecia that can develop in young women is chronic telogen effluvium. In this case, we are not dealing with the gradual hair loss seen in androgenetic alopecia, but rather with a sudden and severe episode of hair shedding.

During the hair growth cycle, it is normal for some hairs to enter the telogen phase, the final stage of their life cycle. This is the reason why hair naturally falls out. The problem begins when an abnormal number of hairs enter the telogen phase, preventing others from entering the anagen (growth) phase.

When this situation persists for more than six months, it is considered chronic telogen effluvium. Its causes are not fully understood, but stress appears to play an important role. According to the 2012 and 2017 National Health Surveys, the percentage of young adults (between 25 and 34 years of age) suffering from chronic anxiety increased by 36%, reaching 5.32%. In addition, women are almost twice as likely as men to experience anxiety.

The Solution for Female Hair Loss in Young Women

The solution for these cases of alopecia in young women should always begin with a trichological diagnosis. A specialist doctor must determine the cause of the alopecia and, consequently, recommend the most appropriate treatment.

The range of treatments for alopecia includes oral medication, hair transplantation, and therapies designed to thicken the hair and increase hair density. These treatments are often among the most effective options for women, producing excellent results after only a few sessions. PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma), hair mesotherapy, and carboxytherapy are some of the most commonly requested treatments.

Dr. Espinosa Custodio works at Instituto Médico del Prado, his hair clinic in Madrid, and performs hair transplants in Mexico, twice a year. If you would like to make an appointment, you can contact us on +34 912 468 664, on WhatsApp +34 627 396 322 or on the contact page of our website. From Mexico you can contact us at +52 55 4590 9909.