Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCauses in WomenCauses in MenProgressive Hair Loss RiskCan You Stop Hair Loss?TreatmentNext in Hair Loss Guide15 Home Remedies for Hair Growth
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Causes in Women
Causes in Men
Progressive Hair Loss Risk
Can You Stop Hair Loss?
Treatment
Next in Hair Loss Guide
There are various reasons you could be losing your hair. Genetics, certain illnesses or conditions, hormonal changes, medications, and stress are among many factors that can cause this issue, known clinically asalopecia.Although hair loss is often associated with male pattern baldness, hair loss isn’t just a “male” issue.
Though hair loss can’t always be reversed, knowing what’s at the root of hair loss is critical in managing it. This article discusses factors that lead to thinning hair or bald spots, who’s at risk, and how to treat it.
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What Causes Hair Loss in Women?
Losing hair follicles is a normal part of the hair growth cycle. In their final, full-grown phase—thetelogenphase—hair follicles stay dormant for up to three months, falling off when new hair starts to grow. Hair loss occurs when something disrupts this cycle, and hair follicles stop regrowing. In women, a wide range of health factors contribute to this issue.
Types of Hair Loss
Hair thinning and balding, though appearing different, are both forms of hair loss occurring in varying degrees. Hair loss can be gradual or rapid, depending on the case. Healthcare providers break hair loss intoseveral types:
The Biology, Structure, and Function of Hair
Genetics
Thinning Hair: How to Stop Hair From Falling Out
Hair Styles
Certain hairstyles can stress the hair follicles, leading to a form of hair loss called traction alopecia. While anyone can be affected, this issue is common in women who wear braids, tight ponytails, or cornrows. Over time, traction alopecia can lead to permanent hair loss.
Hair Products
Chemicalhair products and treatments can cause permanent hair damage. Women typically see hair loss related to hair products more often than men. If done improperly and with the wrong products, chemical hair curling, bleaching, relaxation treatments, coloring, or perming can cause hair loss.
Nutritional Deficiencies
Researchers have also found vitamin and mineral deficiencies related to hair loss.Anemia(iron deficiency), a condition common among women, can contribute to hair loss. Furthermore, researchers have linked insufficient selenium,zinc, vitamin B12, riboflavin, and vitamin D to alopecia.
Aging
Hormonal Changes
Changes inestrogenlevels can shock the system, leading totelogen effluvium. This type of hair may result from medications or other health changes, including:
Stress
Menopause
Menopause, when the menstrual cycle stops, causes changes in estrogen and testosterone—hormones involved in regulating the hair cycle. Typically setting on when women are between 45 and 55, these fluctuations can trigger female pattern hair loss.
Rapid Weight Loss
Chemotherapy or Medications
Another cause of rapid hair loss in women and men isanagen effluviumfromchemotherapyor radiation treatment for cancer or certain medications. The hair loss, which can affect the entire body, starts two to three weeks after therapy. Most people can regrow their hair after stopping treatment.
In addition, too much vitamin A and certain medications can also cause telogen effluvium. Of the latter arebeta-blockers(e.g., Inderal), retinoids, anticoagulants (Warfarin and others), and Carbatrol (carbamazepine).
Autoimmune Diseases
Affecting men and women,alopecia areataoccurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks hair follicles. This autoimmune disorder typically causes round, bald patches.In addition, skin disorders, such as psoriasis, can spread to the scalp, affecting hair growth.
Other Conditions
Several other conditions, including the following, can also cause hair loss:
What Causes Hair Loss in Men?
As in women, hair loss in men can be a natural result of changes in the body due to aging. Healthcare providers refer to age-related hair loss as “senescent alopecia,” which differs from male pattern hair loss. Researchers have observed hair mild follicle shrinkage, resulting in thinner individual hair strands.
Chemotherapy and Medications
Men also experience anagen and telogen effluvium in response to chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or certain medications.In these cases, the hair loss is often reversible when medication or treatment is stopped.
Stress Reactions
Infections, distressing events, high fever, and mental health issues can contribute to stress-related hair loss in men and women. Rapid weight loss due to bariatric surgery or disease can also cause this often reversible condition.
Nutrition
Dietary factors and nutrition can also play a role in male hair loss. For men, deficiencies in zinc, niacin, and protein and excess intake of vitamins A and E have been linked with male pattern baldness and other types of hair loss.
Sudden or Progressive Hair Loss: Who Is At-Risk?
Since there are many types of hair loss and many factors that can cause it, it’s important to understand who is at more risk. Certain health conditions raise your risk of both sudden hair loss (like telogen or anagen effluvium) and progressive hair loss (androgenetic alopecia).
Risk Factors for Sudden Hair Loss
Several factors can increase your chances of developing telogen or anagen effluvium, which causes sudden shedding of hair. You’re at an increased risk for sudden hair loss if any of the following apply:
Risk Factors for Progressive Hair Loss
Several health conditions and diseases raise your risk of pattern baldness and alopecia areata. Factors associated with this issue include:
Can You Stop Hair Loss Once It Begins?
With some types of hair loss, like androgenetic alopecia, the changes to the hair are permanent. While you can take steps to slow this process, the physical changes in your body make it difficult to stop losing hair entirely. The earlier you treat hair loss, the better the outcome.
But with other types, such as telogen and anagen effluvium, hair loss is reversible. So long as the underlying cause is treated or stopped, you can expect regrowth. However, it can take up to six months before you notice results.
Steps to Treat Hair Loss Based on Cause
If you experience pattern balding, seeing a healthcare provider for care and diagnosis is essential. Treatments depend on the underlying cause, and what’s effective varies from person to person. Everything from starting medications to stopping others and starting therapies for contributing diseases can play a role.
Androgenetic Alopecia Treatments
For androgenetic alopecia, your healthcare provider may indicate topical medications to help prevent further hair loss. Rogaine (minoxidil) formulations are effective for female and male pattern hair loss.You apply this solution indefinitely, as results go away if you stop.
Alpha-reductase inhibitors, such as Propecia (finasteride) and Avodart (dutasteride), are additional options for male pattern hair loss.
Alopecia Areata Treatments
While alopecia areata typically resolves on its own, medications can help manage the hair loss faster. For this condition, regular corticosteroid injections are frontline therapy. Other medications include:
Treatments for Anagen and Telogen Effluvium
Treatments for Tinea Capitis
For tinea capitis, a fungal infection, you’ll need antifungal medications. Topical solutions typically don’t work, so your healthcare provider may prescribe one of the following oral formulations:
A healthcare provider may also recommend Nizoral (ketoconazole), an over-the-counter (OTC) antifungal shampoo.
Summary
Many conditions cause hair loss in men and women. Genetics is the most common cause, with others including autoimmune diseases, physical or emotional stress, cancer treatments, and medications.Depending on the underlying cause of hair loss, this condition may or may not be reversible. Some medicines can prevent hair loss or spur growth, making proper diagnosis critical.
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