Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsPhasesTypes and CausesDiagnosisTreatmentWhen to See a Healthcare ProviderFrequently Asked QuestionsNext in Hair Loss GuideWhat Causes Hair Loss and Thinning in Women and Men?
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Phases
Types and Causes
Diagnosis
Treatment
When to See a Healthcare Provider
Frequently Asked Questions
Next in Hair Loss Guide
Hair loss, known clinically asalopecia,thins hair in some, changes the hairline in others, and can lead to partial or total baldness. While it’s usually hereditary and a result of aging (androgeneticalopecia, or pattern baldness), it can also be the result of physical or emotionalstress, a side effect ofcancer treatmentorother medications, or due to other factors.
Though hair loss isn’t a medical emergency, it can be distressing, impacting self-esteem and mental health. However, certain medications and other therapies may help manage the problem, and some types resolve independently. This article discusses the symptoms and possible causes of alopecia and provides a quick breakdown of how it can be treated.
Reproduced with permission from © DermNet New Zealand and © Raimo Suhonenwww.dermnetnz.org2023.
Symptoms of Hair Loss
The exact pattern of hair loss depends on what’s causing it, and it can vary based on sex.
Androgenetic alopecia is the most common type. It arises more gradually, as you lose about 100 hair follicles a day (the typical scalp has 100,000).Male pattern baldnessstarts above the temples and works its away around the edges and top of the head. Inwomen, the hair usually thins more evenly, and there’s less of a change along the hairline.
However, nervous habits, burns, ringworm (tinea capitis), or other dermatological conditions can bring on bald patches or circles. Furthermore, physical or emotional stress, radiation therapy, and some medications cancause hair to fall outin clumps.
Phases of Hair Loss
At its core, hair loss occurs due to disruptions of the body’shair follicle growth cycle. Whether balding or not, your hair goes through these three phases:
Basically, when this cycle is disrupted, hair falls out without being regenerated. In most cases, this is a gradual process, though it can set on more quickly in some people.
Eat These Foods to Target Hair Growth
Types of Hair Loss and Their Causes
Common types ofhair lossare androgenetic alopecia,telogen effluvium,anagen effluvium,tinea capitis, andalopecia areata.
Androgenetic Alopecia
Most people who experience hair loss have inherited the condition from a parent, something commonly called pattern baldness.
While male pattern baldness is more common, women can also be affected. About 80% of men and 38% of women over age 70 experience it.Female pattern baldness causes more diffuse (widespread) thinning and is generally more gradual in its progression, whereas in men, pattern baldness causes partial or complete hair loss.
What to Know About Receding Hairline for Men and Women
Telogen Effluvium
Hair loss can also occur from physical and emotional stress. Clinically referred to astelogen effluvium, it arises when hair goes into a resting phase without subsequently starting new growth.This phase often is temporary. Causes include:
Though it rarely causes complete baldness,telogen effluviumcauses very rapid hair loss. Most people see hair regrowth around three months after its trigger.
Can Herbs Help With Hair Growth?
Anagen Effluvium
Hair loss can also be a side effect of certain drugs or treatments. This type of baldness, called anagen effluvium, usually reverses once the therapy is over or you stop taking the medication. This is particularly the case withchemotherapyand other cancer-treating drugs, such as:
Additionally, many other types of drugs also bring on baldness, including:
Tinea Capitis
Tinea capitis (scalp ringworm)is hair loss due to a fungal infection. It is most often seen in children. It leads to hair falling out in (often) circular patches, which can grow over time. The exposed skin in these cases is red, flaky, itchy, and can be covered in sores.
Alopecia Areata
This typeof hair loss occurs due to anautoimmune disorder(such aslupusorfibromyalgia), in which the immune system attacks hair follicles and prevents their growth. Alopecia areata can lead to total baldness.
How Alopecia Areata Is Treated
Other Causes
Other causes of hair loss include:
Shampoo Ingredients That Can Cause Hair Loss
Are There Diagnostic Tests?
Most kinds of hair loss, such as pattern baldness and both telogen and anagen effluvium, can be diagnosed based on symptoms and medical history alone. However, other tests may be needed:
Rogaine
Effective for both male and female pattern baldness, application ofRogaine (topical minoxidil)on the scalp can spur hair regrowth. For males, 2% or 5% concentrations work, while for females, 2% is recommended.You will need to use this treatment indefinitely; if you stop, you will lose the regrown hair.
Alpha Reductase Inhibitors
Male pattern baldness can be treated with inhibitors of alpha-reductase, an enzyme associated withsteroidproduction. Drugs like Propecia (finasteride) and Avodart (dutasteride) are prescribed to reduce or stop the progression of hair loss.
Intralesional Corticoids
Antifungal Medications
Tinea capitis (ringworm) treatments depend on the type of fungus causing the infection. ForTrichophytoninfection, oralLamisil(terbinafine), Sporanox (itraconazole), and Diflucan (fluconazole) may be prescribed. There’s some evidence that Gris-PEG (griseofulvin) is effective against another fungus,Microsporum.These may need to be applied as a shampoo.
Janus Kinase (JAK) Inhibitors
Therapies for Trichotillomania
Another treatment option is serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). While more research is needed, drugs like the antidepressants Lexapro (ecitalopram) and Prozac (fluoxetine) can help.
Other Therapies
A number of other medical, cosmetic, and at-home therapies may also help manage hair loss. These include:
If hair loss is causing you significant distress and affecting your quality of life, seek out support from others. Along with friends and family, talking to a therapist or mental health counselor can help, as can joining support groups.
Know What You’re TakingIf you trysupplements for hair loss, make sure you know what exactly you’re taking. While some vitamins and minerals help, excess amounts of vitamins A, E, and selenium can actually make matters worse.
Know What You’re Taking
If you trysupplements for hair loss, make sure you know what exactly you’re taking. While some vitamins and minerals help, excess amounts of vitamins A, E, and selenium can actually make matters worse.
Home Management
At-home strategies won’t reverse hair loss, but they can help manage it. Here’s what you should keep in mind:
Does Hat Tightness Cause Hair Loss?
While hair loss is rarely a medical emergency, it can be a sign of something more serious. Contact your healthcare provider if you experience:
StatisticsIf you are experiencing hair loss, you are not alone—35 million men and 21 million women in the United States are also experiencing hair loss.
Statistics
If you are experiencing hair loss, you are not alone—35 million men and 21 million women in the United States are also experiencing hair loss.
Summary
Hair loss, known clinically as alopecia, is very common and can arise for many reasons. In many cases, it’s hereditary and a natural result of aging. However, emotional and physical stress, medical treatments, and infections of the scalp can also contribute to it.
Treatments, such as minoxidil, can spur hair regrowth, and others can help manage underlying causes of hair loss. Lifestyle changes and cosmetic treatments can also help.
The Biology of Hair
Frequently Asked QuestionsMost cases of baldness are inherited or the result of aging. However, hair loss can also arise due to physical or emotional shock, chemotherapy or radiation treatment, or as a side effect of certain medications. Infections of the scalp, thyroid conditions, vitamin or mineral deficiency, autoimmune disorders (such as lupus), and compulsive hair pulling (trichotillomania) are among the other causes.Learn MoreWhat to Know About Receding Hairline for Men and WomenTreatment and management approaches to hair loss depend on the underlying cause. Medications, such as Rogaine (minoxidil) and Propecia (finasteride) can help with pattern baldness. Prescribed hormone therapies and steroid injections can also help, as can taking certain supplements, and makingchanges to your hair care routine. Hair transplantation surgery and laser therapy to spur hair growth are additional cosmetic options.Learn MoreHow the Telogen Phase Can Cause Hair LossPhysical stress, as in severe illness, or emotional shock can cause a type of hair loss called telogen effluvium. While this causes hair to fall out rapidly, typically on top of the scalp, it continues to grow back. As such, this type is usually reversible, with hair growing back within 12 months.Learn MoreThe Telogen Phase of the Hair Cycle
Most cases of baldness are inherited or the result of aging. However, hair loss can also arise due to physical or emotional shock, chemotherapy or radiation treatment, or as a side effect of certain medications. Infections of the scalp, thyroid conditions, vitamin or mineral deficiency, autoimmune disorders (such as lupus), and compulsive hair pulling (trichotillomania) are among the other causes.Learn MoreWhat to Know About Receding Hairline for Men and Women
Most cases of baldness are inherited or the result of aging. However, hair loss can also arise due to physical or emotional shock, chemotherapy or radiation treatment, or as a side effect of certain medications. Infections of the scalp, thyroid conditions, vitamin or mineral deficiency, autoimmune disorders (such as lupus), and compulsive hair pulling (trichotillomania) are among the other causes.
Learn MoreWhat to Know About Receding Hairline for Men and Women
Treatment and management approaches to hair loss depend on the underlying cause. Medications, such as Rogaine (minoxidil) and Propecia (finasteride) can help with pattern baldness. Prescribed hormone therapies and steroid injections can also help, as can taking certain supplements, and makingchanges to your hair care routine. Hair transplantation surgery and laser therapy to spur hair growth are additional cosmetic options.Learn MoreHow the Telogen Phase Can Cause Hair Loss
Treatment and management approaches to hair loss depend on the underlying cause. Medications, such as Rogaine (minoxidil) and Propecia (finasteride) can help with pattern baldness. Prescribed hormone therapies and steroid injections can also help, as can taking certain supplements, and makingchanges to your hair care routine. Hair transplantation surgery and laser therapy to spur hair growth are additional cosmetic options.
Learn MoreHow the Telogen Phase Can Cause Hair Loss
Physical stress, as in severe illness, or emotional shock can cause a type of hair loss called telogen effluvium. While this causes hair to fall out rapidly, typically on top of the scalp, it continues to grow back. As such, this type is usually reversible, with hair growing back within 12 months.Learn MoreThe Telogen Phase of the Hair Cycle
Physical stress, as in severe illness, or emotional shock can cause a type of hair loss called telogen effluvium. While this causes hair to fall out rapidly, typically on top of the scalp, it continues to grow back. As such, this type is usually reversible, with hair growing back within 12 months.
Learn MoreThe Telogen Phase of the Hair Cycle
7 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Penn Medicine.Hair loss (alopecia).NYU Langone Health.Types of hair loss.Phillips T, Slomiany W, Allison R.Hair loss: common causes and treatment.Am Fam Physician. 2017;96(6):371-378.University of Florida Health.Ovarian overproduction of androgens.Yee B, Tong Y, Goldenberg A, Hata T.Efficacy of different concentrations of intralesional triamcinolone acetonide for alopecia areata: a systematic review and meta-analysis.J Am Acad Dermatol. 2020;82(4):1018-1021. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2019.11.066American Academy of Dermatology.Hair loss: tips for managing.The Hair Society.Hair loss statistics.
7 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Penn Medicine.Hair loss (alopecia).NYU Langone Health.Types of hair loss.Phillips T, Slomiany W, Allison R.Hair loss: common causes and treatment.Am Fam Physician. 2017;96(6):371-378.University of Florida Health.Ovarian overproduction of androgens.Yee B, Tong Y, Goldenberg A, Hata T.Efficacy of different concentrations of intralesional triamcinolone acetonide for alopecia areata: a systematic review and meta-analysis.J Am Acad Dermatol. 2020;82(4):1018-1021. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2019.11.066American Academy of Dermatology.Hair loss: tips for managing.The Hair Society.Hair loss statistics.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Penn Medicine.Hair loss (alopecia).NYU Langone Health.Types of hair loss.Phillips T, Slomiany W, Allison R.Hair loss: common causes and treatment.Am Fam Physician. 2017;96(6):371-378.University of Florida Health.Ovarian overproduction of androgens.Yee B, Tong Y, Goldenberg A, Hata T.Efficacy of different concentrations of intralesional triamcinolone acetonide for alopecia areata: a systematic review and meta-analysis.J Am Acad Dermatol. 2020;82(4):1018-1021. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2019.11.066American Academy of Dermatology.Hair loss: tips for managing.The Hair Society.Hair loss statistics.
Penn Medicine.Hair loss (alopecia).
NYU Langone Health.Types of hair loss.
Phillips T, Slomiany W, Allison R.Hair loss: common causes and treatment.Am Fam Physician. 2017;96(6):371-378.
University of Florida Health.Ovarian overproduction of androgens.
Yee B, Tong Y, Goldenberg A, Hata T.Efficacy of different concentrations of intralesional triamcinolone acetonide for alopecia areata: a systematic review and meta-analysis.J Am Acad Dermatol. 2020;82(4):1018-1021. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2019.11.066
American Academy of Dermatology.Hair loss: tips for managing.
The Hair Society.Hair loss statistics.
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
