My Hair is Thinning—What Should I Do?

By the time a woman reaches 50, she has a 50 percent chance of incurring hair loss, says Bruce Robinson, M.D., assistant clinical instructor at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York City. For some women, though, the problem starts as early as their 20s. “If you notice your pony-tail is smaller, or you can see your scalp in areas where you couldn’t before, or you are losing more hair when you brush or wash it, it’s a good idea to see your dermatologist,” he says. “He will determine if hair loss is due to genetics or an underlying medical issue, like thyroid problems or iron deficiency.” If you do suffer from thinning hair, there is hope: Recent studies suggest that Propecia, a drug commonly used to treat male hair loss, might be effective for women as well.