This young woman noticed the first sign of receding hairline before she turned 21. A receding hairline is mostly associated with female pattern hair thinning, also called androgenetic alopecia.
Women don’t normally notice a receding hairline until post menopause, due to the contributing hormonal factors surrounding that time of life.
Receding hairline early stages – don’t ignore the signs
When a woman notices a receding hairline early 20s, there are always other factors involved. Here we found she had also experienced physical hair loss which is very different to what happens with a miniaturising early receding hairline.
- Physical hair loss is different to early receding hairline
- Early receding hairline is not physical hair loss
- Receding hairline is a gradual hair thinning
The hair loss here was caused by low iron stores called ferritin. When ferritin levels get depleted to levels below 30 ug/L this causes the physical hair loss also termed telogen effluvium or diffuse hair loss.
Physical hair loss can appear to be the first sign of receding hairline
It is so important to understand and identify physical hair loss can appear as a receding hairline early stage, but they are not the same. Diffuse hair loss causes hair loss diffusely all over the scalp, including the recessions. Loss of hair diffusely all over the scalp will make the recessions appear thinner.
- Deficient ferritin was the cause along with low level of Vitamin D3
- Both nutritional elements are essential for health and hair growth
- The body responds to deficiency with hair loss and other symptoms
- Low levels can also inhibit hair regrowth
Nutrition helping to address underlying causes
Treatment for this early receding hairline was to help with deficiency of ferritin with correct supplementation and teaching about food. Download food for ferritin here. Many don’t realise how they are eating food combinations are robbing their nutrients. Vitamin D was also addressed with some supporting nutrition.
Learning about nutrition in your early 20s can be confronting but helps to address the underlying causes for long term results is what we aim to help with.
Connecting the treatment topically with some at home hair washing routine selected for individual circumstances, deliver the results we share in the first four months.
Early Receding Hairline – Minoxidil is not always the solution
Minoxidil was not required or used to achieve the result. Minoxidil is a topical or oral medication that can be the first recommendation when female pattern hair thinning is suspected. Minoxidil is a vasodilator which does not stop physical hair loss or treat diffuse hair thinning from low ferritin and it comes with side effects that many don’t like.
- Starting and stopping minoxidil can cause more hair loss
- You need to continue use of minoxidil to maintain the result
- Minoxidil does not treat underlying causes
Trichologist at Absolique Hair Health Clinic will always address the underlying causes and never use unnecessary medications that can cause hair loss whilst experiencing hair thinning, it makes no sense. We have our signature hair loss treatments to stabilise hair loss, hair thinning and regrow hair.
For those with stronger hereditary factors and or health concerns we may need to use additional treatment to achieve a result. Any questions or concerns, contact us or book your initial consultation today. Check out our other blog stories here.