Find the answers you need to make informed decisions about your hair health.
For informational purposes only. The exact cause of hair loss can only be determined by a medical professional.
Everyone experiences hair loss on some level. After all, the average person sheds 50-100 hairs a day as part of the natural hair growth cycle. Noticeable hair loss, however, occurs when this cycle is disrupted. These interruptions can happen for a variety of reasons—read on to learn more about how different causes and conditions can play a roll in hair loss.
While the vast majority of hair loss is caused by genetics, there are a number of other factors that could be at play. Here are a few common culprits that cause or exacerbate hair loss.
A deficiency in certain vitamins and/or minerals could be contributing factors of hair loss. Some of the nutrients that are important for your hair include B vitamins (particularly Biotin), vitamin D, iron, zinc, protein, and essential fatty acids.
Fluctuating hormone levels in women may cause or contribute to hair thinning or loss. These changes can often occur postpartum or be attributed to perimenopause, menopause, and polycystic ovarian syndrome.
Oftentimes, side effects from prescription drugs or medical treatments can include hair loss. These treatments can include:
Acne medications
Antibiotics
Antidepressants
Bariatric surgery
Beta-blockers for high blood pressure
Blood thinners
Chemotherapy and radiation to treat cancer
Cholesterol-lowering medications
Epilepsy medications
Hormone replacement therapy
Immune-suppressing drugs
Lithium
NSAIDs
Oral contraceptives
Steroids
Thyroid medications
Weight loss drug
While everyday stress won't impact your hair, three types of hair loss are associated with high stress levels, including:
Telogen Effluvium: This condition occurs when there’s a sudden shock to the system like that experienced with childbirth, surgery, rapid weight loss or any major, traumatic event such as a death in the family, divorce or an accident.
Trichotillomania: The stress-induced impulse control disorder, trichotillomania, is a hair loss condition that drives people to pull out their own hair.
Alopecia Areata: This autoimmune skin disease mistakenly attacks the hair follicles, causing hair loss on the scalp, face, and sometimes other areas of the body.
Frequent use of harsh styling practices can cause breakage and make hair fall out. Some of the most damaging styling practices include: tight hair styles such as ponytails, braids or buns worn for extended periods of time; chemical treatments such as coloring, perms and relaxers; and incorrect use or overuse of hot styling tools.
The information provided in this page is general in nature and widely available. All content is provided for informational purposes. The exact cause of hair loss can only be determined by a medical professional.
Androgenetic alopecia, or hereditary hair loss, is the most common type of hair loss. This progressive condition affects both men and women who are born with inherited hair follicles that are sensitive to a hormone called dihydrotestosterone (DHT). DHT causes hair follicles to miniaturize over time, producing thinner and finer hair.
Eventually, the follicles stop producing normal hairs, leaving only “peach fuzz.” Men with this condition typically notice a hairline that recedes or thinning at the crown. Women with androgenetic alopecia don’t always follow a recognizable pattern, but may see a widening part, overall thinning or patchy hair loss.
Alopecia areata is an autoimmune condition where the immune system mistakenly attacks the hair follicles, causing hair loss on the scalp, face and other areas of the body. Alopecia areata can occur in multiple family members, suggesting genetics play a part in this condition. It affects both men and women and often first appears in childhood.
Cicatricial alopecia, also called scarring alopecia, refers to a group of rare disorders that destroy hair follicles and replace them with scar tissue. Most forms of the condition first appear as small patches of hair loss that may expand over time. Many African-American women suffer from this condition. While these disorders affect a small number of the population, they can result in permanent hair loss.
Involutional alopecia is the gradual thinning and loss of hair that comes with age. Over time, a higher number of hair follicles move into the resting phase and remaining hairs become shorter, finer and fewer in number. Involutional alopecia is the second most common type of hair loss.
Traction alopecia results from damaged hair follicles due to constant tension or pulling over a long period of time. Repeatedly wearing tight hair styles, such as ponytails, buns or braids, can cause traction alopecia. This condition typically occurs near the temples or along the hairline. African-American women often experience this type of hair loss at their edges, which is the hairline area that goes from ear to ear and frames the face.
Anagen effluvium is the sudden loss of hairs in the growing (anagen) phase. This condition may be caused by exposure to chemicals or toxins such as those found in chemotherapy or radiation for cancer treatment. The condition is generally reversible and hair typically regrows within 1-3 months, but some hair loss can be permanent.
Telogen effluvium occurs when hair follicles are prematurely pushed into the resting (telogen) phase of hair growth. This condition is usually due to an acute external factor such as physical trauma, surgery, major illness, or other intense stressors on the body. It typically appears as diffuse thinning across all areas of the scalp, and in many cases, is temporary and reversible.
Hypotrichosis is a condition where there is no hair growth from the time of birth. Rather than having hair and losing it over time, people with hypotrichosis never grow any hair. This condition is thought to be caused by a genetic deviation during fetal development.
Scalp folliculitis is usually due to a bacterial infection. It occurs when hair follicles become inflamed due to blockage or damage. Follicles may be surrounded by a ring of inflammation and look like acne. In the early stages, hair may still be present in the follicle, but as the condition progresses, it will fall out. In severe cases, the inflammation can permanently damage hair follicles and result in hair loss.
Trichorrhexis nodosa is characterized by weak points, or nodes, present along the hair shaft. The nodes cause hair to break easily, leading to the appearance of thinning hair or patchy hair loss. The condition can be triggered by harsh styling practices such as the overuse of chemicals and heat styling tools. In some cases, trichorrhexis nodosa may be caused by underlying medical disorders such as thyroid problems, an iron deficiency or a buildup of ammonia in the body.
Trichotillomania is an impulse control disorder that drives individuals to pull out their own hair compulsively. Typically, trichotillomania results in patchy bald spots on the scalp, eyebrows and/or eyelashes.
*For informational purposes only. The information presented herein is general in nature and is not intended to substitute the advice of a physician or other health care professional.
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