Top 10 Reasons for Hair Loss

Hair loss affects millions of men and women. As many as 70% of the population will experience hair thinning at some point in their lives. And while some people may not pay much attention to their hair loss, for those who do, identifying the reason is the first step to finding a solution.

Before starting any kind of treatment regimen, it’s important to meet with your general physician or dermatologist to find out the real cause of your hair loss. If you’re wondering why you’re losing your hair, we’ve put together a list of the top 10 common reasons

1. Genetics

People most often experience hair loss due to genetic factors. Hair follicles can be sensitive to the hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which affects both men and women, although in different ways. Genetic hair loss is progressive, which means it’s a permanent condition that will continue until you start to address it. This type of hair loss is called androgenetic alopecia, more commonly known as male or female pattern baldness. The only permanent solution for this type of hair loss is hair transplantation.

2. Stress

Some people notice their hair starting to fall out when they’re under stress. Stress-induced hair loss happens when too many of your hair follicles enter the resting phase, which is a condition known as telogen effluvium. Fortunately, hair loss caused by stress can typically be reversed by reducing or eliminating the cause of the stress. That’s easier said than done, of course.

3. Medical Reasons

There are a number of potential medical reasons for hair loss, including reactions to certain medications, severe trauma as a result of an accident, or other health issues. This type of hair loss is often reversible.

4. Use of Chemical Products

Overuse or unregulated use of chemical products on your scalp can damage your hair follicle and shaft. This includes the frequent use of perm chemical solutions, hair dyes, and bleaches. Cutting back on your use of these types of products can help reverse some of the damage done to your hair.

5. Hormonal Changes

Changes in your hormone levels can also negatively affect your hair. Hypothyroidism, menopause, and pregnancy can throw off your hormonal balance, resulting in hair loss. The good news is that once your hormone levels are back to normal, your hair will usually regrow.

6. Hair Styling

Any hair style that requires pulling your hair tightly on a continual basis can result in traction alopecia, which can cause individual strands of your hair to become weak and break off, reducing overall hair volume. Blow-drying and excessive heat from any device can also damage your hair, but not in a permanent way.

7. Excessive/Deficient Nutrients

Your hair needs a carefully balanced amount of certain nutrients in order to stay strong. Excessive Vitamin A, protein deficiency, anemia (iron deficiency), and Vitamin B deficiency can all lead to hair loss.

8. Steroid Use

Certain steroids can cause increased levels of DHT in the body, which can lead to a higher likelihood of hair loss in those who are genetically predisposed.

9. Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy treatments pump chemicals into the bloodstream, and hair loss is usually one of the earliest noticeable side effects. Once chemotherapy ends, your hair should slowly start to regrow.

10. Autoimmune Diseases

Autoimmune diseases like lupus, where the immune system attacks the hair follicle, can also cause hair loss. With this type of hair loss, some people may lose clumps of their hair at a time, while others may experience more gradual thinning.

Progressive Hair Loss

If it turns out that your hair loss is progressive, there are a number of different solutions available to slow down the progression and even restore the hair you’ve lost. Bosley offers both surgical and non-surgical hair loss solutions, including hair transplantation, low-level laser therapy caps, topicals, and scalp micropigmentation. To learn more about your hair restoration options, download Bosley’s FREE guidebook, The Complete Book on Hair Restoration, to see how great your hair can look. Or schedule a free consultation with a Bosley specialist today.