Everything You Need To Know About Inherited Hair Loss and How To Treat It

The causes of hair loss can seem endless, which doesn't make it any less frustrating to try to solve. One example, as explained in this article, is high androgen levels that can cause symptoms like acne and facial hair in women who are sensitive to this class of hormones; although frustrating, it can be fairly easy to pinpoint this cause because of its text-book symptoms. But other causes are not always so simple to catch. Some women are sensitive only to the androgen dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a condition that can be inherited, and their sole symptom is the gradual thinning of hair. And in the absence of red flags such as facial hair and breakouts, DHT sensitivity goes undiagnosed for longer.

New York City dermatologist Francesca Fusco, MD, says women with this variant of hair loss typically come to her in a state of perplexed frustration. “They say, ‘Gee, Dr. Fusco, over the past year my hair has gotten thinner, my part has gotten wider, but you know what? I don’t see the hairs falling out — it’s so strange!’” That’s because DHT chokes hair follicles gradually, making hair appear sparse by shrinking the diameter of each strand. By the time hairs fall out, it’s too fine to detect.

You’re likely dealing with inherited thinning if you’re losing hair and you…

• Have a family history of thinning hair, in women and/or men

• Don’t notice much shedding, but hairs falling out look smaller

• Have no systemic symptoms

The video below by the Mayo Clinic explains gradual thinning hair more in-depth.

This easy topical strategy can help with inherited hair loss

Don't worry, the solution isn't as complicated as you may think. Look no further than drugstore shelves: Over-the-counter minoxidil, an FDA-approved leave-in scalp treatment that blocks DHT to expand follicles and prolong the growth phase of hair, is the best remedy when DHT sensitivity isn’t accompanied by additional symptoms. (The reason: Minoxidil can increase facial hair growth in women who are prone to developing it.)

In a long-term analysis of 11,000 adults, a Swedish research team found that minoxidil halted shedding in 85% to 89% of women with inherited thinning; follow-up trials have found that roughly 69% of women experience at least partial hair regrowth. Minoxidil tends to be less effective in women who have complicating factors such as hormone imbalances, according to a study in the British Journal of Dermatology, underscoring the importance of choosing a dermatologist who is well-versed in the nuances of female hair loss.

First sold under the brand-name Rogaine, minoxidil now comes in generic versions formulated for twice-daily application: a 2% formula marketed to women and a 5% version for men. If applying two times a day isn’t convenient, Cleveland hair loss specialist Wilma Bergfeld, MD, says women can safely use the 5% formula once a day for the same results.

The best minoxidill products for thinning hair

CVS Health Women's 5% Minoxidil Foam for Hair Regrowth

This drugstore staple is made for women but has 5% minoxidill, rather than the original 2% — meaning it'll work a bit stronger.

hers Hair Regrowth Foam Treatment 5% Minoxidil

We also like this 5% option that's at an affordable price point and backed by many hair loss experts.

How to apply minoxidil

To prevent strands from absorbing minoxidil — which wastes product and can produce a greasy -appearance- — female reviewers online recommend applying the product to the scalp after towel--drying freshly washed hair, then drying and styling as usual.

For more on hair loss, click through these stories:

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How Your Thyroid Can Impact Hair Loss, Plus 6 Easy Doctor-Backed Ways to Cure It