Hair loss isn't just a man's problem. Four ways to treat female baldness.
As a professional dancer on Broadway, Lindsey Cornman was known for her curly, strawberry-blonde hair along with her high kicks and pirouettes.
When balls of her hair started falling in the shower, it eroded her self-confidence. She ended up getting divorced, though hair loss wasn't the primary reason. 'It didn't help to not feel good about myself," says Cornman, now 42 years old.
Fifty-five percent of women deal with hair loss by the age of 70, dermatologists at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School and Marconi University found. The most common condition is female-pattern hair loss, which is genetic, affecting 30 million women in the U.S. By comparison, more than 80% of men experience hair loss and 50 million men have male-pattern hair loss, found NYU Langone Health and the National Institutes of Health, respectively.
'I see more women with concerns about hair loss than men," says Dr. Christina Weng, dermatologist at Massachusetts General Hospital and chief medical officer at Pelage Pharmaceuticals.
She says treatment options can be divided into four categories: medicine, therapy, nutritional supplements, and lifestyle changes. 'The best treatment is the one they are going to stick with, because they aren't overnight fixes, and they won't see results for at least six months."
What does the female-pattern hair loss look like? It usually shows up as the widening of the part line at the top of the head, and thinning all over the scalp, explains Dr. Weng. The silver lining: The hair line at the front of the scalp usually stays the same for women, contrary to men with receding hair lines.
Here are the treatment options:
Medicine
The most commonly prescribed drug is Minoxidil, the only FDA-approved treatment for hair loss. Dr. Weng says it works better for people who can convert an enzyme in the hair follicle to its active form—overall, only 30% of people respond to it.
Another medicine is Spironolactone, which helps block the testosterone derivate DHT that contributes to genetic hair loss. It is especially effective if women have genetic hair loss coupled with hormonal issues or polycystic ovarian syndrome, Dr. Weng says, though it can cause lightheadedness.
These drugs usually aren't covered by insurance.
Therapy
New hair loss therapies for women have come forward in the last decade. Some stimulate hair follicles with targeted laser light; others inject clients with platelet-rich plasma or stems cells to try to get hair to grow. Some of these treatments cost thousands of dollar, and most times aren't covered by insurance.
You should get a blood test before trying any of them, Cornman's trichologist, William Gaunitz of Laguna Beach, Calif. says. (Trichologists specialize in treating diseases of the hair and scalp.) If women are deficient in iron or zinc, then trying to activate the building blocks for healthy hair growth can cause the follicles to become overstimulated and even lead to profuse shedding, he says.
Nutritional Supplements
Gaunitz says poor nutrition is a big factor in the 100,000-plus women he has treated. 'Women are more susceptible to accelerating genetic hair loss, because of fad diets," he says. Vitamin D3 deficiency is by far the largest cause, followed by deficiencies in Ferritin, which stores iron, and then in vitamin B12.
Women going through menopause have the toughest hand dealt to them. Estrogen levels drop sharply, which means the body's natural hair protection hormone is close to off duty, Gaunitz explains. They may need to take nutritional supplements for vitamins D3 or B12, he says.
One of the biggest misconceptions out there: Biotin supplements will give women beautiful locks. Not true, says Dr. Carolyn Goh, dermatologist and director of the Hair and Scalp Disorders Clinic at UCLA Health. Unless you are deficient in this vitamin, taking supplements won't help.
Lifestyle Changes
Stress is another contributor to female baldness. Lack of sleep affects the adrenal and thyroid glands, compounding the problem. Gaunitz tells his clients to avoid stress and sleep seven to eight hours a night.
To find out the root cause of hair loss, hair loss tests can help. The Mayo Clinic suggests a scalp biopsy in which a doctor collects samples and examines them under a microscope, a light microscopy in which a doctor examines hairs on the head with a special instrument, or a blood test which uncovers medical reasons for hair loss.
Women can also do a simple hair pull test at home. Gaunitz tells how to do it. Throughout the head, grip the hairs with your fingers and gently pull them back through the fingers. Do it twice. If you are left with four or more hairs in your hands on the first pull, it signifies 'something to think about;" if you get three or more hairs on the second pull, it's a more pressing problem.
Cornman, the former dancer, took supplements to counter her low vitamin D3 level, added natural DHT blockers to the mix, and refreshed her hair care routine. She now has a full head of curly strawberry-blonde hair.
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First Post
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Shefali Jariwala Passes Away: Did self-medication, anti-aging drugs and Glutathione play a role in her cardiac arrest?
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NDTV
2 hours ago
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Can Anti-Ageing Drugs Cause Cardiac Arrest? Doctors Explain Shefali Jariwala Death
On June 27, 2025, when news of the tragic and sudden death of actress Shefali Jariwala broke, it left everyone in shock. The 42-year-old actress, who rose to fame with the iconic remix of the Kaanta Laga song that every Y2K person knows about, died suddenly from a possible cardiac arrest, leading to various speculation about the cause of her death. One such cause, according to sources, points to the use of so-called age-defying anti-ageing treatments, which might come with hidden, and sometimes fatal, cardiovascular risks. The Toxic Cocktail Of Anti-Ageing Treatments And Fasting Reports suggest that Shefali, who had a history of epilepsy, might have received a cosmetic anti-ageing injection containing Glutathione and Vitamin C on empty stomach, which was potentially followed by a sudden drop in blood pressure leading to cardiac arrest. While the exact cause of death is under investigation, and a post-mortem report is awaited, medical experts across India are cautioning against the use of unregulated anti-ageing therapies. Dr Anesh Jain, Consultant Cardiologist at Ruby Hall Clinic, Pune, explains to NDTV, "Although glutathione and Vitamin C are widely used in skin treatments, introducing such compounds in a dehydrated or fasted state can place unnecessary stress on the cardiovascular system. In rare cases, this can result in a dangerous drop in blood pressure, possibly leading to cardiac arrest." He adds, "There is no formal category of 'anti-ageing' drugs approved by the FDA (US Food and Drug Administration). Most of these treatments are off-label, experimental, or cosmetic in nature - and lack proper long-term cardiovascular safety data." A quick research showed that the FDA has explicitly warned against the use of glutathione powder intended for dietary supplements to compound sterile injectable drugs due to safety concerns, including reports of adverse events linked to endotoxin contamination in compounded glutathione injections. Moreover, injectable glutathione is also not FDA-approved for skin lightening. In fact, there are no published clinical trials or official guidelines supporting the safety or efficacy of injectable glutathione for skin whitening. Rather, the FDA has highlighted risks such as toxic effects on the liver, kidneys, and nervous system, and potential severe reactions like Stevens-Johnson Syndrome. Injectable Vitamin C products are also not FDA-approved for skin lightening. In 2019, the FDA requested all companies to stop distributing unapproved versions of ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) injection. In India, the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) have approved glutathione and Vitamin C injections but only for specific medical indications, not for cosmetic or skin whitening purposes. The Problem With Anti-Ageing Treatments Experts suggest that while glutathione and Vitamin C are not known to directly affect the heart, their impact when used without proper medical context - such as being taken intravenously on an empty stomach or alongside other drugs - can trigger a dangerous cascade, potentially including hypotension and cardiac arrest. And this is not just about glutathione or Vitamin C. It's about a range of anti-ageing drugs. Dr Srinivas Kudva, Interventional Cardiologist at Lilavati Hospital, explains that anti-ageing drugs have gained immense popularity in recent years, driven by a global interest in longevity and the prevention of age-related decline. "These therapies target various biological mechanisms, ranging from hormone modulation (eg, testosterone, growth hormone) to cellular metabolism and mitochondrial function (eg, NAD+ boosters, mTOR inhibitors). While many are designed to enhance cellular resilience and slow biological ageing, their effects on cardiovascular health are not uniformly positive and remain under active investigation," he adds. He explains that these hormonal agents can significantly influence cardiovascular dynamics. "Elevated testosterone or growth hormone levels may increase red blood cell production, elevate blood pressure, and alter lipid metabolism, all of which can contribute to a higher risk of arrhythmias, arterial stiffness, or thrombotic events. 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Plaque builds up differently in women's arteries, making diagnosis tricky. Emotional stress and depression - which are more common in women - can also raise cardiac risk." He added a stark warning, "It's crucial that patients understand the heart is especially vulnerable to untested hormone-altering anti-ageing drugs. Cardiac arrest can be the first and final symptom." Low Blood Pressure: A Silent Trigger One of the potential complications in Shefali's case could have been a sudden drop in blood pressure - a known trigger for cardiac arrest. Dr Abhijit Khadtare, Cardiologist At Ruby Hall Clinic, Pune, explains, "Severe hypotension, or a sudden and steep drop in blood pressure, is a medical emergency. It can deprive vital organs of oxygen, leading to shock - a life-threatening condition." 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Dr Praveen Gupta, Chairman of Marengo Asia International Institute of Neuro and Spine and Chief Clinical Strategy for the North India region, warned against the growing trend of self-medication with anti-ageing treatments. "People assume 'natural' or 'anti-ageing' means safe. That's simply not true. Many of these drugs interact with existing medications for blood pressure or diabetes. In older adults, this can be especially dangerous," he says. He stressed that these substances are often sold online, bypassing regulations and quality checks. "We need to treat anti-ageing interventions like any other medical procedure - only under professional guidance. Without proper screening, these so-called youth elixirs can pose serious risks," Dr Gupta concludes. Actress-model Shefali Jariwala's death puts the spotlight back on the rise of self-medication and anti-ageing treatments, with devastating consequences.
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What triggered sudden cardiac arrest in actor-performer Shefali Jariwala is the question that's on everybody's mind, especially after police found evidence of self-medication. Among the things bandied about in media reports are that she took anti-ageing pills and relied on skin improvement treatments like glutathione. Generally, most reports argue that she had built a drug dependency, and on a day she was fasting, she had reacted to something that may have sent her body into allergic shock, causing sudden death. But is that the real story? The real story that nobody wants to talk about is the pressure that social media exerts on prioritising agelessness, the extent of obsession that drives people to resort to all sorts of bio hacks being peddled online instead of going to a doctor, a greedy and unregulated supplement industry which peddles 'safe' ways to stop the wrinkles and an appearance-conscious world which imposes new standards of acceptance every day. We spoke with experts to find out why anti-ageing procedures go wrong. This comprises drugs or combinations of drugs and compounds which slow down there are concentrated supplements like those of the flavonoid quercetin — one of the most abundant polyphenols found in fruits, vegetables, nuts, wine, and black tea — curcumin, NR (Nicotinamide Riboside, a form of vitamin B3), NMN (Nicotinamide Mononucleotide, a compound broken down from Vitamin B3), and even repurposed concoctions made from drugs meant for other diseases. 'The problem with repurposed drugs is that they may have US FDA (Food and Drug Administration) and even CDSCO (Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation) approvals for a certain disease. But then their components are played around with by certain supplement makers claiming anti-ageing properties,' says Dr Rishi Parashar, Chairman, Dermatology, Sir Gangaram Hospital, Delhi. 'Besides, the so-called herbal supplements market is unregulated and we do not know what is being put into them or whether they are within safe limits. Also, many anti-ageing medications that are in clinical trials have not yielded any significant positive results. Most of these trials are animal studies and the results may be completely different in human trials. The efficacy of anti-ageing compounds, as being touted now, will take years to show results. Till then, what you read on social media is nothing short of quackery,' he adds. What about Botox injections going bad? Over the last 20 years, Dr Parashar has been administering Botox injections and fillers for anti-ageing. Derived from a bacterium called clostridium botulinum, its toxin paralyses and relaxes facial muscles and hence reduces wrinkles. 'The jab has been proven to be safe except for complications in very rare cases, most of which got resolved too. The only thing required is that they be administered by a registered dermatologist in a medical facility that meets stringent hygiene and safety standards. Some injectable treatments include prescription medication and so should only be administered by a qualified nurse or doctor, following an initial consultation,' insists Dr Parashar. Suspicions around Botox gained momentum in April 2024 when the US Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released an alert warning that 22 women between 25 and 59 had 'harmful reactions' to counterfeit or mishandled Botox. Eleven people were hospitalised, and six were treated with an antitoxin because of concerns around botulism – a condition where the toxin spreads beyond the local site and attacks the central nervous system causing muscle paralysis, difficulty breathing and even death. Symptoms included blurry and double vision, drooping eyelids, difficulty swallowing, slurred speech, difficulty breathing, fatigue, and weakness. 'It was proven that all the women received injections from unlicensed or untrained people in places that were not healthcare centres. We have many such neighbourhood clinics mushrooming in India,' says Dr Parashar. Botox procedures are allowed only in certain parts of the face. If you apply the same routine elsewhere on your face or any other body part where it is not meant to, there will be adverse reactions. What's the truth about glutathione? Another compound that's much misunderstood is the antioxidant glutathione, often used for skin lightening because it manages to suppress the levels of melanin that regulates skin pigmentation. Hence its popularity in skin creams, serums and lotions, all meant for topical application. 'But the real risk is in the use of IV (intravenous) glutathione, which many Bollywood celebrities are endorsing too. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not approve its use for cosmetic skin lightening. It is not available with long-term safety data, and potential side effects include allergic reactions, low blood pressure, kidney injury and interference with the body's natural antioxidant balance. Various global health authorities even warn against its use for vanity purposes,' says cosmetic surgeon Dr Anup Dhir. The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) has not approved glutathione for skin lightening though it's widely used off-label for that purpose. 'It is actually authorised for intravenous use in conditions like alcoholic fatty liver, fibrosis, cirrhosis, and alcoholic hepatitis and sometimes to neutralise the toxicity from chemotherapy,' says Dr Dhir. Yet skin clinics administer glutathione injections, often alongside Vitamin C, for skin lightening. 'Research on the cosmetic effects of all IV infusions is limited. While some anecdotal evidence suggests positive results, these are often based on individual experiences rather than studies. Besides, how much of it is being absorbed by the body to make a remarkable skin tone difference is a matter of debate,' says Dr Dhir, who never advises this injection. IV products should only be given by a healthcare provider, not by a salon hand. 'That's why you see so many cases of skin eruptions and damage. A very important part of a glutathione injection is dosage, which needs to be calibrated and administered as per body weight. The recommended daily dose of glutathione for adults ranges from 500-2,000 mg per day when taken orally, or 10-20 mg/kg body weight when administered intravenously for disease supportive therapies. Who knows how much is being given for the skin?' asks Dr Dhir. Other potential risks include transmission of infectious agents, such as HIV, hepatitis C and B when a non-medical practitioner administers this treatment in a non-sterile facility. Do not buy online Dr Parashar argues for strict monitoring of online sales of such products. 'Users buy them on the basis of the label's declared promises as a safe beauty product. The platform aggregator is least concerned about the concentration of their ingredients or their side effects. Users go to the local skin clinic and get them administered. They wouldn't even know that they would have to seek prompt medical attention if something goes awry,' he warns.
