A health condition that causes hair loss, either on the scalp or the whole body, is called hair loss (also known as alopecia). It often occurs due to hormonal changes, heredity, certain health conditions, or a normal part of aging. While anyone may develop this condition, it is mostly diagnosed in men.
You may hear that hair loss is sometimes called baldness. It means excessive hair loss from the scalp. One of the most common causes of baldness is hereditary hair loss with age. While some people do not care about hair loss and run its course untreated and unhidden, others may cover it with hairstyles, makeup, hats, and other items. Those who feel uncomfortable or ashamed due to hair loss usually choose one of the treatments to prevent further hair loss or restore growth.
However, before using any treatment for hair loss, it is recommended to consult with your healthcare professional.
Symptoms
This condition usually appears in different ways according to the exact cause of hair loss. While it may occur suddenly or gradually, it may affect the scalp only or the entire body. Check below some symptoms of hair loss:
- Thinning on top of the head that happens gradually – This symptom appears often with aging, and it is the most common type of hair loss. While in males hair starts to recede at the hairline on the forehead, females have a broadening of the part in their hair. Lately, cases of frontal fibrosing alopecia are increasing.
- Circular or patchy bald spots – Sometimes, people begin to lose hair in patchy or circular bald spots on the scalp, beard, or eyebrows. Moreover, the skin may become painful or itchy before the hair falls out.
- Sudden loosening of hair – This type of hair loss often occurs due to a physical or emotional shock. It also causes temporary hair thinning.
- Full-body hair loss – There are some diseases and treatments that may cause loss of hair on the entire body. One of the most common causes is chemotherapy, a treatment used to destroy cancer cells. However, the hair grows back after treatment.
- Patches of scaling that spread over the scalp – People who experience this type of hair loss may also notice broken hair, redness, swelling, and oozing (sometimes). Usually, these patches of scaling indicate a ringworm.
If you feel uncomfortable or are distressed due to hair loss, do not hesitate to see a doctor. Moreover, women with frontal fibrosing alopecia should get treatment right away. Otherwise, it may lead to permanent baldness.
Causes
In normal circumstances, people lose 50 to 100 hairs per day. It often is not noticeable because new hair is growing at the same time. People commonly experience hair loss when new hair does not grow. Check below some causes of hair loss:
- Family history – It is the most common cause of hair loss (a hereditary condition that occurs with aging). This condition is known as androgenic alopecia, male-pattern baldness, and female-pattern baldness. Generally, it happens gradually and in predictable patterns.
- Hormonal changes and diseases – there are a lot of conditions that may cause either temporary or permanent hair loss. One of them is hormonal imbalances often caused by pregnancy, childbirth, menopause, or thyroid disease. Hair loss may also occur due to an autoimmune condition called alopecia areata, scalp infections (such as ringworm), and trichotillomania.
- Medicines and supplements – Some medicines may cause hair loss as a side effect. It may happen in people who use medicines to treat cancer, arthritis, mental disorders (such as depression), heart disease, gout, and hypertension (high blood pressure).
- Certain cancer treatments – Chemotherapy and radiation therapy to the head may also cause hair loss. Usually, the hair begins to grow back after treatment, but some people may never have hair like before treatment.
- Very stressful events – While it is temporary, some people experience hair loss due to a physical or emotional shock.
- Hairstyles and treatments – Excessive hairstyles or hairstyling that continuously pull the hair tight (including pigtails, cornrows, and others) may cause a type of hair loss called traction alopecia. Some people may lose hair due to hot-oil hair treatments. If you develop scars after treatment, hair loss may be permanent.
Risk Factors
Check below some factors that could elevate your risk of hair loss:
- Aging
- Stress
- Malnutrition
- Some chronic health conditions (such as lupus, diabetes, and others)
- Significant weight loss
- A family history of balding
Is There a Way to Prevent Hair Loss?
In most cases, hair loss happens due to genetics (male-pattern and female-pattern baldness). Unfortunately, this type of hair loss cannot be prevented. Check below some tips that may help prevent other types of hair loss:
- Quit smoking – Some studies have shown that smoking increases the risk of baldness in men.
- Chemotherapy drugs – People who were treated for cancer with chemotherapy drugs may ask their doctor about a cooling cap. It may help reduce hair loss during treatment.
- Use protective measures from sunlight and other ultraviolet light sources.
- Stop using medicines and supplements – There are some medicines and supplements that may cause hair loss. Discuss with your doctor about the medicines you are administering.
- Be gentle with the hair – Avoid tugging when brushing and combing, especially if the hair is wet. You should also avoid harsh treatments, including hot rollers, curling irons, hot-oil treatments, and others.
Diagnosis
Before diagnosis, doctors will perform a physical examination and may ask some questions about your diet, hair care routine, and family history. To confirm the condition and determine the exact cause of hair loss, they may perform some tests. For example:
- Blood test – It may help identify health conditions that cause hair loss.
- Pull test – During this test, doctors pull gently hairs to see how many come out. It helps determine the stage of the condition.
- Scalp biopsy – This test involves the removal of a small sample of the skin from the scalp to examine it under a microscope. It may confirm or rule out an infection that causes hair loss.
- Light microscopy – This test involves a specific tool that helps doctors examine the hair trimmed at its base. It may help determine disorders of the hair shaft.
Treatment
There are some effective treatments often used in people with certain types of hair loss. These treatments are able to reverse hair loss or slow it. Moreover, the hair may regrow without treatments in some people with patchy hair loss (also called alopecia areata). Generally, treatment includes medicines and surgery.
Medicines
The following medicines are often recommended by doctors when hair loss occurs due to an underlying condition. When medicines or supplements cause hair loss, doctors may reduce the dose or even change the medicine. Check below some medicines used to treat pattern (hereditary) baldness:
- Minoxidil – This over-the-counter (OTC) medicine comes in different forms, including liquid, foam, and shampoo. It is considered the most effective medicine for hair loss. It is usually applied to the scalp skin once per day for women and twice daily for men. This medication should be used for months to notice hair regrowth. Sometimes, people notice improvements in a few months. Scalp irritation and unwanted hair growth are often the most common adverse reactions of Minoxidil.
- Finasteride – This is a prescription medicine used to slow hair loss and help new hair to grow. It is intended for men only and comes in a pill form. Like Minoxidil, it may take months to notice improvements. However, some recent studies have shown that Finasteride is not effective for males over 60 years old.
- Other medicines – In some cases, doctors may prescribe Spironolactone and oral Dutasteride.
Hair Transplant Surgery
This procedure is available for a type of permanent hair loss (when only the top of the head is affected). During this procedure, the cosmetic surgeon will remove hair from a part of the head that has it and will transplant it to the bald spot. Generally, people need multiple procedures to get the effect they want. Unfortunately, hereditary hair loss will eventually progress despite successful surgery.
Hair transplant surgery carries certain risks, like other surgeries. These include bleeding, bruising, swelling, and infection.
Laser Therapy
This treatment is approved by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) to treat hereditary hair loss in both men and women. It involves a low-level laser device. Some studies have shown improvements in hair density after this therapy. However, more research is needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the main causes of hair loss?
The most common causes of hair loss include genetics, hormonal imbalances, physical or emotional distress, nutritional deficiencies, and some medical conditions.
What is the best natural remedy for hair loss?
The following remedies may help your hair grow faster. For example:
- Caffeine
- Melatonin
- Vitamins and supplements
- Essential oils (such as peppermint and rosemary oil)
- Jojoba oil
- Castor and coconut oils
However, before using any of the previous remedies, it is advised to discuss them with your doctor.
What can I drink for hair loss?
Check below some drinks that may help improve hair growth:
- Coconut water with lemon
- Green smoothies
- Amla (also known as Indian gooseberry) juice
- Fenugreek seed drink
- Green tea
- Almond and banana smoothie
- Pumpkin seed smoothie
Ask your healthcare provider if you have additional questions.
