Iron Plays a Certain Role in Patterned Hair Loss PMC

Table Of Content

• What is the recommended dosage?
• How Your Hemoglobin and Iron Levels Are Connected to Hair Growth
• Study Characteristics
• Causes of Iron Deficiency Anemia
• Pale skin
• Editorial Advisory Board Member, Harvard Health Publishing
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The mineral can help prevent anemia and boost resistance to infection. If a person has low iron stores, increasing their iron intake will likely help them to feel better overall. The core reasons as to why this happens are ambiguous, but studies suggest a strong relation to unexpected stress as the trigger. This could be attributed to poor mental health or grief,’ says Dr Balwi. Supporting your body's natural collagen production is an alternative to taking collagen externally. Collagen production gradually drops as we age, but other factors, such as certain lifestyle habits, can prompt production to drop more quickly.

What is the recommended dosage?

Brittle or spoon-shaped nails may indicate more severe iron deficiency anemia. Skin and hair may receive less oxygen if you have iron deficiency, leading to dryness or damage. Shortness of breath is a symptom of iron deficiency, since low hemoglobin levels stop your body from effectively transporting oxygen to your muscles and tissues. When hemoglobin levels are low with iron deficiency, oxygen levels are also low. This means that your muscles won’t receive enough oxygen to do everyday activities, such as walking. Hemoglobin enables your red blood cells to carry oxygen around your body.

How Your Hemoglobin and Iron Levels Are Connected to Hair Growth

Iron deficiency can lead to anaemia, a condition where your body does not produce enough red blood cells, or haemoglobin, which are crucial to delivering oxygen to your tissues. Iron deficiency anaemia is most common in women of childbearing age due to losing iron through periods and pregnancy. It’s thought that around 23% of pregnant women and 14% of non-pregnant women in the UK experience iron deficiency anaemia.

Study Characteristics

Doctors are continually researching new techniques to restore hair growth. This involves separating the platelets from a sample of a person’s blood using a specialized machine, then injecting these platelets into areas of the scalp affected by hair loss. Female pattern hair loss usually refers to thinning hair in the middle portion of the scalp. People with this hair loss pattern may also have thinning or receding hair on the hairline along their forehead. Singer Paloma Faith, 42, is the latest celebrity to open up about female hair loss, revealing that her condition is caused primarily by stress.

Causes of Iron Deficiency Anemia

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What are common causes of hair loss?

Do not take high levels of iron without checking with your doctor first as too much iron can be dangerous, and be careful to keep any supplements away from children as high levels can be toxic. You’re tired, feel weak, have shortness of breath, and you may not be able to concentrate as well. My mum, my sister and I have all had anaemia so in our family we have to watch out for it all the time,” she says. A review study published in 2022 found that it significantly increases hair diameter and hair count in patients with several types of alopecia. It typically isn’t covered by insurance, and it can be expensive, Mirmirani says. Dozens of over-the-counter supplements and products purport to reverse hair loss, making it tough for patients to know which ones work and which don’t.

Pale skin

Male patients with MPHL were classified into M dominant, and F dominant type using BASP scale to see difference between two types (16). To check if you have iron deficiency anaemia, your GP will ask you about your lifestyle and medical history. Several studies show an association between AA and low vitamin D levels.

Editorial Advisory Board Member, Harvard Health Publishing

But in the UK, 8 million women are affected by hair loss, according to Harley Street London hair transplant clinic. People who have gout or other conditions that require them to limit protein intake should avoid collagen supplements. When the stomach digests collagen, it breaks it down into amino acids that are then distributed where your body most needs protein. Low iron levels are also linked to changes in hair and nail health, mouth ulcers or palpitations in more severe cases, and can be also found in athletes as intense exercise uses a lot of iron. In the first instance, experts advise trying to add more iron-rich foods to our diets. When to take them, what foods to take them with, and how to avoid side effects can be tricky to navigate.

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If your body doesn’t have enough hemoglobin, your tissues and muscles won’t get enough oxygen to be able to work effectively. Every article on Health Guide goes through rigorous fact-checking by our team of medical reviewers. Our reviewers are trained medical professionals who ensure each article contains the most up-to-date information, and that medical details have been correctly interpreted by the writer. Studies so far have found alopecia due to anemia may be something that largely affects women. A small amount of hair collecting in the shower drain or hairbrush is not necessarily cause for concern. According to the Academy of Dermatology, it's perfectly normal to lose 100 or so hairs from your head every day.

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To assess the clinical outcome of iron supplementation, Patient Global Assessment (PGA) and Patient Satisfaction (PS) score were recorded several months (at least 6 months) after the supplementation. PGA was graded into 5 categories, as worse, unchanged, slightly improved, moderately improved and much improved. PS was graded into 4 classes as unsatisfied, slightly satisfied, satisfied and very satisfied. Heavy periods and pregnancy are very common causes of iron deficiency anaemia. Once the reason you have iron deficiency anaemia has been found (for example, an ulcer or heavy periods) the GP will recommend treatment. There are other types, like vitamin B12 or folate deficiency anaemia, that the blood test will also check for.

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Iron depletion is the mildest form of ID followed by iron-deficient erythropoiesis andiron deficient anemia being the most severe form (2). Body iron stores can be assessed by serum FC (13) but there is no consensus which ferritin level is the right one to define ID in practice. In women of childbearing age, using a cutoff of 10 to 15 µg/L yields a sensitivity of 75% and specificity of 98% in diagnosis of ID (2).

You might need to take iron supplements for a few months or more to get your levels to normal. If your intestines don't absorb iron well, you can take iron straight into your bloodstream through an intravenous tube (IV). Blood loss can lead to iron deficiency anemia because blood holds iron within red blood cells.

The problem of iron deficiency seems to be getting worse – and women are more affected than men. A rise in plant-based eating and a reduction in the consumption of red meat, by which iron is most readily absorbed, could be a factor, as is our addiction to processed foods. Older people are also susceptible, and as our population ages the numbers with iron deficiency go up. Finally, keep in mind that the same healthy habits recommended for maintaining your physical health will also help your hair.

Iron deficiency anaemia

Table Of Content

• Vitamin A
• How do trees and green spaces enhance our health?
• Data Availability
• Treatment

In addition, illnesses like celiac disease that result in malabsorption syndromes can impair the absorption of nutrients, causing nutrient deficiencies and hair loss. Nutrient deficiencies can also cause telogen effluvium, but these are not the only causes of the condition. Hormonal disorders, medication use, and autoimmune diseases are some additional causes of telogen effluvium.

Vitamin A

The serum and hair selenium levels were 38 ± 11 ng/mL and 0.34 ± 0.13 μg/g, respectively. Hair started to re-pigment after 6–12 months of therapy with intravenous selenium [117]. Similar findings, including alopecia with pseudoalbinism, were found in 6 infants receiving nutritional support. In these six infants, after starting daily selenium therapy (5 μg/kg/day), selenium serum levels returned to the normal range of 5–15 μg/dL, and alopecia and pseudoalbinism improved [118]. In most cases, a balanced diet will supply a healthy amount of vitamin A [14].

How do trees and green spaces enhance our health?

Doctors believe the platelets contain a significant amount of growth factors, which can help stimulate hair growth. Research in one study found that women who received PRP injections saw increases in the density and thickness of their hair after 6 months. The condition can be caused by many different things; from lifestyle changes, iron deficiency, or even illness. If an infection or another underlying condition that requires medical attention isn't present, and your hair loss isn't bothering you, you may choose to avoid treatment altogether. Yet iron is crucial for our immune systems, skin health, energy levels and muscle performance, and deficiencies can lead over time to the more serious condition of anaemia. If you often wear a hairstyle like braids or a tight bun that puts prolonged strain or stress on the hair follicle, that can cause a type of permanent hair loss called traction alopecia.

Data Availability

There is less hair follicle density and hair shaft thickness in iron-deficient people, according to studies. A lack of iron can also cause hair follicles to enter the resting phase of the hair growth cycle earlier than usual, which leads to hair loss and thinning. In addition to hair loss, iron deficiency can also cause other hair-related problems, such as brittle, dry, or dull hair. This is due to iron's role in sebum production, an oily substance that hydrates and safeguards the scalp and hair. It is important to note that other factors can also contribute to hair loss and hair-related problems, such as genetics, hormonal imbalances, stress, and certain medications. An in-depth examination must be performed by a healthcare professional in order to identify the cause of hair issues and create a successful treatment plan.

Diagnosis of Iron Deficiency Anemia

Symptoms of iron deficiency anemia can depend on the severity of the anemia. If your doctor confirms that you have iron deficiency — typically via a blood test — they will develop a treatment plan that best meets your healthcare needs. People who are pregnant or have heavy menstrual periods have the highest risk and should talk with a doctor about being tested for iron deficiency anemia. Here are 14 signs and symptoms of iron deficiency, starting with the most common. Also, find out how to recognize anemia in children and older adults, and when to see a doctor. You can minimise the impact of hair loss by implementing a good hair care routine and looking after your hair.

For some people, stomach bleeding may be related to the use of blood thinners. When this happens, you may need a lower dose or a different blood thinner. If you have had a major episode of blood loss due to something like surgery or trauma, you may need a blood transfusion. They also have an increased risk of low birth weight babies and premature birth. Yulia Treister-Gotzman contributed to the conception of the research.

Does Collagen Support Hair Growth?

Consumption of vitamin A exceeding the recommended daily limit of approximately 10,000 IU a day can lead to vitamin A toxicity. In a case report, a 60-year-old male who had been taking excess vitamin A supplements experienced non-scarring fronto-central alopecia as well as decreased pubic and axillary hair. The patient also reported dystrophic nail changes and an erythematous rash.

You should always follow the recommended dosage on the packaging when taking iron supplements. Iron is toxic in high doses, so taking an excessive amount can make you ill. If you’re unsure about the right amount of iron to take, speak to a pharmacist or doctor.

If you aren't consuming enough iron, or if you're losing too much iron, your body can't produce enough hemoglobin, and iron deficiency anemia will eventually develop. People experiencing both hair loss and an iron deficiency might need to treat both separately. According to some research, hair follicle cells can be particularly sensitive to decreasing levels of iron and may not be able to grow new cells as effectively when iron stores are low. Doctors are not sure why some people who experience hair loss have low iron stores. They do know, however, that iron is an essential component in an enzyme called ribonucleotide reductase that helps cell growth. Severe cases can even lead to cicatricial or frontal fibrosing alopecia due to tight hairstyles, causing inflammation, irritation, and itching.

Doktor tells us that once an iron deficiency is diagnosed, you'll want to pin down the cause. That's to ensure that once the problem is treated, it won't happen again. "Iron deficiency can be treated firstly by finding the root cause of the iron loss," she says. Pregnancy might see it get better, whereas once you give birth, it may worsen.

This controversy might be caused by study designs, methodology and clinical condition defining hair loss. In fact, only case reports have been used to justify the use of biotin supplements for hair growth. These case reports were in children and found that 3–5 mg biotin daily could improve hair health after 3–4 months in children with uncombable hair syndrome [37, 38]. Alopecia areata (AA) occurs when the immune system attacks the hair follicle. Studies have shown a relationship between AA and low vitamin D levels. However, more studies are needed to determine the effect of iron and zinc supplementation on AA patients.

Without enough hemoglobin, less oxygen reaches your tissues and muscles, depriving them of energy. Your heart also has to work harder to move more oxygen-rich blood around your body, which can make you tired. If you’re noticing hair falling out in the shower, or your hair loss is sudden/falling out in clumps, make sure you speak to your doctor to identify the cause. If you’re lacking iron in your blood, your skin might seem paler than is normal.

So, if you’re experiencing thinning hair, you might ask yourself which vitamin deficiency causes hair loss. Interestingly, hair loss isn’t typically caused by vitamin deficiency, although having too much of certain vitamins can contribute to thinning hair. Hair loss can also be caused by a lack of protein or iron in your diet.

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Your provider will also likely test your hemoglobin and hematocrit levels. These and iron tests are regarded as the most efficient and cost-effective way to diagnose an iron deficiency (DeLoughery, 2017). If supplements don't help with your symptoms or your anemia is severe, you might need a transfusion of red blood cells. Or, if you have an ulcer, tumor, or other growth, it may need to be treated with medicines or surgery. One study of nonmenopausal women found that 59 percent of those experiencing excessive hair loss also had iron deficiency.

If you’re experiencing hair loss, talk with your healthcare provider, who can help you address the causes of hair loss and develop a treatment plan that will work for you. Most adults shouldn’t consume more than 10,000 international units (IUs) of vitamin A daily. If you’re supplementing with vitamin A and notice hair loss, talk with a healthcare provider. Much of the body’s iron supply is stored in hemoglobin, but some is stored as ferritin (a blood protein that contains iron) in the liver. In fact, blood levels of ferritin are used to measure the total iron storage in the body (Barney, 2021).

60 Ways to Level Up Dark Brown Hair With Highlights

Table Of Content

• Trendy Dark Brown Balayage Hair Color Ideas You’ll Want to Try Now
• Ginger Flow with Blonde Balayage
• Caramel Face-Frame
• Short Messy Bob
• Rooted Ash Blonde

This edgy style has the perfect balance of a light brown base that's amplified with highlights and lowlights. This cool-toned brown bob got some cool-toned blonde to match, making it a perfect sandy color. Lighter shades on the top tresses give the impression of hours spent basking in the sun.

Trendy Dark Brown Balayage Hair Color Ideas You’ll Want to Try Now

Luscious, long waves have a soft copper brown cascade with honey blonde highlights. The chunky highlights frame the face and are full of movement thanks to the long, voluminous, and piecey waves. If you have neutral brown hair, honey-beige highlights are the way to stick with your tone and also lighten things up. This cinnamon brown hair benefits from some copper and blonde highlighting, especially around the face. The highlights make the spicy brown base look that much yummier.

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Ginger Flow with Blonde Balayage

If you’re looking to have brown hair as you age, you’ll want to pick a soft and warm shade. You can do highlights every other touch-up so you don’t get over blonde. Touch-ups will be every 3-5 weeks depending on your natural grow-out color. A dark brown with beach blonde highlights is perfect for women with a naturally darker base than normal blondes.

Caramel Face-Frame

Kristin Ess is the founder of her namesake hair brand, which can be found at Target (we love her Strand Strengthening Reconstructive Moisture Mask, $16). She posted this photo to her Instagram account, explaining that this is nine months post-color. It's the perfect example of how highlights should grow out...subtly and naturally.

Short Messy Bob

This particular hairstyle is for those who really want to show off their long brown hair. First, separate your hair, leaving the top on a ponytail and the rest hanging loose. Start fresh by chopping the mane into a sassy pixie cut defined by a short top with extra short bangs at the front and slightly longer sides and back. Top off the look with heavy blonde highlights creating a beautiful bronde haze on the head.

Blended Blonde Ombre

The dimensional waves showcased here are softly kissed by a subtle blonde balayage. The gentle flow of color adds depth to the waves and brings out the texture of the hair, making it look fuller and more vibrant. This style is versatile and flattering on all face shapes, perfect for those who want a natural but noticeable lift to their hair.

Dark Chocolate Brown with Caramel Babylights

That’s the best way to display dimension on dark brown locks, allowing the blonde hue to pop yet brighter. An inverted bob paired with light brown accents could be the perfect look to keep some of your natural hair colors. The light brown accents will accentuate your dark brown hair and make it sparkle.

Rooted Ash Blonde

Flowing layers of dark-to-light transition make this hairstyle a standout with its seamless caramel blonde balayage. The soft espresso brown waves are voluminous and highlight the warm tones that give a glow to the complexion. These sweet-as-sugar, caramel-tinted honey blonde highlights are enough to make us book an appointment at our salon right now. Keep tantalizing pieces of the dark brown base to peek through.

This involved coloring two front sections of your hair platinum blonde and leaving the rest of your hair dark brown. The brown roots and blonde lower half can also frame your face beautifully. Opt for a dark blonde shade that gradually lightens to a champagne blonde color.

That said, your stylist can work with you to achieve lighter and brighter highlights over time. Here’s a shade that captures the magic of the golden hour, with honey and caramel balayage blonde highlights illuminating the waves like rays of sunlight. The gradient of color from the rich, darker roots to the luminous ends adds a dimensional allure to the look. This medium-length hairstyle has a rich chestnut brown base softened by light caramel blonde highlights, creating a mesmerizing interplay of shades. The waves give a relaxed, tousled look that’s full of body and texture, suggesting an air of laid-back elegance. These styles range from subtle honeyed streaks that whisper of summer to bold, chunky highlights that demand attention.

It’s a versatile look that flatters most face shapes, adding warmth and dimension to the overall appearance. When you are doing partial highlighting, pay special attention to the bangs. Just a few blonde strands on your fringe can completely change your image while saving you money on hair dye. If you are not into extravagant images, you can use a classic approach when it comes to highlights.

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Depending on the type of highlights you plan to get and the salon you go to, you can expect it to cost anywhere from $75 to $350. Show up and show out wherever you go with this gorgeous and unique hue that is bound to turn heads. Giselle Bündchen's bronde sombré 'do is the gold standard for casual (yet chic) looks that translate from daytime to evening. Its warm gold tones work to complement her bronzed complexion. Alessandra Ambrosio's sun-kissed ombré locks look great when worn stick-straight, as seen in this red-carpet appearance.

Yup, as much as we love a seamlessly blended mane, there's something to be said about popping chunks of dimension. "This is balayage or ombréd pieces of a warm brown to richen up brunettes," Brown explains. "It’s really beautiful. Just take large sections and balayage with color, like three levels lighter with 30 volume."

55 Ideas for Brown Hair with Blonde Highlights

Table Of Content

• #8: Dark Brown with Beach Blonde Balayage
• Brown Waves + Soft Blonde Highlights
• Brown Hair with Ash Blonde Highlights
• Strawberry Blonde-Tinged Curls
• Blonde Highlights Styles for Inspiration
• Caramel Blonde

All you need is some ash and golden blonde highlights, and you’re good to go! Keep your roots dark to add depth, and use cool tones to give it that metallic feel. Honey blonde is a hair color with warm gold tones that is a mix of sunny blonde and light brown. Honey blonde hair can be made lighter or darker to suit various skin tones and eye colors due to the dual brunette and blonde tones. Combining caramel and chocolate colors blends nicely in these gorgeous caramel highlights on naturally brown hair.

#8: Dark Brown with Beach Blonde Balayage

If you want to spice up your hair and try natural-looking highlights, go for it. Remember that dyeing your hair will require you use professional products at home. When you are thinking about what to do with dark brown hair, consider making subtle red and blond highlights. You’ll get an effect of amazing flames while not completely changing the color. This short brown hairstyle with blonde highlights is great because it helps to bring natural light to your face. To get, you can ask for regular highlights on your short haircut, just make sure one of those highlights fall right in the front part of your face.

Brown Waves + Soft Blonde Highlights

This concept works especially well for shorter haircuts and messy or low maintenance styles. This glow-up hair idea is perfect for ladies with naturally dirty blond locks. These shoulder length hair tresses are the ideal remedy for long, tired, and dull ‘dos. A little bit of bounce goes a long way, which is why we are obsessed with these easy-to-replicate round brush waves.

Brown Hair with Ash Blonde Highlights

Whether you envision a beautifully blended tortoiseshell brown or an unexpectedly chic smoky ash blonde, the perfect shade awaits you. Dirty blonde highlights look good with dark ash brown hair as well. When X-Men hit the theaters in 2000, girls everywhere went crazy over Rogue’s hair color statement.

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The subtle transition from natural brunette to honey blonde creates a sun-kissed effect, ideal for those with warmer skin tones. The tousled texture adds a playful dimension that flatters almost any face shape, giving a beachy vibe that’s effortlessly chic. This one’s a smart and gorgeous hairstyle if you have naturally dark hair without much maintenance. A silver balayage plus soft waves make for unique and gorgeous hair highlights! This is a perfect option if you are starting to grey and want to blend your natural color. Merging brown balayage and blonde highlights creates warm tones, perfect with loose waves.

Blonde Highlights Styles for Inspiration

We ensure the blonde highlights complement straight brown locks exquisitely. Give your complexion an almost metallic golden glow with complementary caramel babylights on warm brown hair. Jennifer Garner is a vision with butterscotch blonde highlights and long face-framing layers. Chestnut hair with honey blonde ombré highlights flatters Jessica Alba's olive-toned complexion. The flipped-out ends are very '90s—or '60s—(depending on who's asking) and add a nice touch. Chrissy Teigen looks dreamy with her oh-so subtle blonde and brown highlights.

As Korab previously told us, this shade adds golden tones throughout a brunette base to give it shine and dimension. A stylist will often apply a gloss treatment, which adds shine and softness to your brown hue. It is recommended that you do highlights or babylights if you want to go lighter. Let your long hair fall naturally and as you walk everyone would pay attention to it. This idea is for those who want to keep their look simple and significant. Pearl blonde highlights may seem less saturated and visible, yet their minimalistic charm makes your blonde appear sharper and sexier.

Spritz a sea salt and sugar spray to your lengthy mane, adding a bounce to your cut without weighing it down. The face-framing highlights will brighten up any skin tone. Looking to liven up your short brown hair but prefer natural hair colors? A sandy blonde highlight can brighten up any shade of brown and give your hair a more youthful glow. Ask for a root shadow for a more low-maintenance salon schedule.

The volume is what makes the color accentuate even brighter. A vibrant shade of espresso brown with light brunette highlights can class up your long hair. Styling and giving your darker hair with hair highlights some voluminous waves show off your chic dimension. This beautiful look is an excellent way to add highlights to your dark hair without doing too much damage. Enjoy the way your brown hair changes when you make overwhelming blonde highlights. One of them is to lighten up your overall color without making an obvious change.

Blonde streaks are achieved with the help of aluminum foils and a brush. Place the foil under the hair you want to streak before applying hair dye to it. Fold the foil to secure the section of hair and prevent the color from getting on other hair strands. This is the perfect hair look for someone who wants to spice up their hair without going too over the top. Create a contrasting look with sandy highlights over your brown hair. It gives your tresses a chic and classy touch while enhancing your look.

Adding bright but subtle dark blonde highlights to a dark brunette balayage will create a ton of depth and visual interest in your hair. Balayage brunette hair looks effortless and is so low-maintenance. If you’d like this look, ask for a mix of darker honey and brighter golden balayage highlights while consulting with your stylist. Hair color trends come and go, but brown hair with blonde highlights is a classic combo that doesn't have an expiry date. For starters, it's flattering on any shade of brunette, easy to maintain, and looks amazing year-round.

If you have a warmer skin tone, then a warmer color like strawberry blonde will really bring out the best of your complexion. These highlights will make your skin glow just as much as they accentuate your hair. It’s also a really fun color to try out during the fall months. The first is to decide the size and placement of your highlights with regard to your crown and hairline.

When you are looking for high contrast of dark on light, placement is important. Ask for a partial highlight focusing on the blonde on the top part line. Yeah, Olivia Wilde's cut and color pairing are what hair dreams are made of.

Instead of highlights interspersed without, the blonde highlights are concentrated at the ends and the front. As Pace put it best in her Instagram caption, "let there be gold." Ribbons of yellow-blonde highlights give this style a beachy and California-girl vibe. What happens when you're torn between staying brunette or going blonde?

These are almost icy blonde highlights that can go well with all shades of brown hair. Chunky blonde highlights on brown hair go hand in hand when tones are similar. Bolder blond pieces create optimal brightness for women who want more ribbon-like effects on their hair. Try adding soft blonde highlights to your short brown hair. Uniform color can make short hair look dull and heavy, so adding highlights softens the look and gives an illusion of fuller hair.