WTF! Why is My Hair Thinning?

Don't panic. You're not alone: one in three women deal with some form of hair loss. And extreme stress--hello, Covid--can cause shedding. (We all lose about 50 to 100 hairs per day and that's healthy, as long as new hair grows back.) The good news? There may be ways to halt thinning and spur fullness. The best call to action is to see a dermatologist to determine if it's caused by an iron or vitamin D deficiency, inflammation, PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome), a wayward thyroid or waning estrogen.

If the cause tilts to genetics, you can explore treatments. Again, I suggest you discuss options with an M.D. rather than try pricey supplements or topicals. According to a recent report from Harvard Medical School, PRP scalp injections--which are plasma-rich platelets drawn from your blood--show promise in regenerating follicles. Looking to learn more about proven treatments? UCLA has a clinic founded by a female M.D. that is devoted to hair issues (click here); find a local doc on the American Academy of Dermatology directory. No matter what, you're more than your hair.

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