Getting to the Root Cause of Female Hair Loss
Hair Loss in Women – History is loaded with women who used their hair to tell the world who they were. In 3500 BCE, the Himba people of Namibia used braid patterns to indicate things like a tribe, age, marital status, wealth, and religion. The flappers of the Roaring Twenties popularized the bob, which signaled a cutting of ties with gender norms. And the mullet trend of 2020? Spearheaded by Miley Cyrus and Rihanna, it felt like a badass disruptive call to action that encouraged embracing one’s unique identity in a time of change. There are a lot of emotions—from empowerment to sensuality—tied up in our hair, which is why the sight of departing strands, and everything that follows, unleashes a whole slew of feelings.
Dani Binnington, a 42-year-old U.K.-based wellness expert and yoga instructor and co-founder of the Manta Healthy Hair Brush, knows this all too well. She grew up with long, thick waves but experienced hair loss in 2013 while undergoing chemotherapy for breast cancer. “My hair grew back much finer than it ever was,” she says. “I still have areas on the top of my head that are almost bald.” Inspired by Binnington’s experience, her hairdresser husband, Tim, designed the Manta, an extra-gentle hand-held detangling tool that minimizes the breakage of fragile strands.
The Root Cause of Female Hair Loss
Whether hair loss is something you can see coming and try to prepare for, like a side effect of medication or an occurrence that strikes without warning, such as the symptom of an autoimmune condition, the resulting trauma is never insignificant. “I go through phases of feeling very uncomfortable and self-conscious about it,” says Binnington. “And at other times, I remind myself of how lucky I am to have hair in the first place and to be here to tell my story.” Grappling with overwhelming feelings of disbelief and discomfort is a challenge, but it’s normal in this situation. “The reality is that most hair loss is caused by conditions out of your control,” says Dr. Katie Beleznay, a Vancouver-based dermatologist and clinical instructor in the department of dermatology at the University of British Columbia. Talking to a professional can help demystify what is happening as well as be the first step toward empowerment and reclaiming your confidence in your appearance. […]
