Your hair is your crowning glory. A full head of thick, shiny hair is the ultimate symbol of youth, health, and beauty. So it is no wonder that losing your hair can be emotionally devastating. While hair loss is often associated with old age, you can experience hair thinning as early as your 20s or 30s.
It is not just men that lose hair. Women, too, experience noticeable hair loss. Although some forms of hair loss are temporary, others are permanent and can cause baldness over time. There are many reasons why people lose hair. Below, we’ll discuss the most common causes of hair loss:
Hereditary Hair Loss
Hereditary hair loss is the most common form of hair loss. Also known as androgenic alopecia (AA), this condition affects up to 50% of men and women. AA makes men lose hair from their temples and crown, while it causes thinning all over the scalp in women. This condition shrinks your hair follicles over time, making them produce hair so thin that it’s almost invisible.
Although a permanent form of hair loss, there are treatments that can help you regrow some of the lost hair. Medications like minoxidil and finasteride are effective but can produce many side effects. Laser hair growth devices offer a safer alternative to prescription medications. This FDA-cleared technology uses light energy to stimulate hair follicles to produce thicker fibers.
Hormonal Imbalances
Hormones play a crucial role in hair health. Thyroid and sex hormones like estrogen regulate the hair growth cycle. Menopause, childbirth, contraceptive pills, thyroid disorders, and health conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) mess up your body’s hormonal balance. This can disrupt hair production or make your hair fall out faster than usual.
Fortunately, hair loss caused by hormonal disorders is usually temporary. The key to reversing hormonal hair loss is seeing a doctor as soon as possible. Your doctor will perform a series of tests to determine which of your hormones are out of balance. Depending on your diagnosis, you will receive treatment to restore that hormone to its normal level.
Emotional or Physical Trauma
Any event that shocks your system can trigger telogen effluvium (TE). TE is stress-induced hair loss that occurs after emotional or physical trauma. Illness, surgery, divorce, or the death of a loved one can all lead to this condition. When experiencing extreme stress, up to 70% of your hair follicles are forced into the resting phase. The result? Your hair falls out in clumps.
As scary as it is, telogen effluvium will resolve on its own. Your body will readjust once the stress goes away, and the excessive shedding will stop. You can speed up your body’s healing process by adopting stress management techniques. Breathing exercises, practicing mindfulness, and going out for walks can help you calm your mind and restore your hair.
Medications
It’s not just chemotherapy drugs that cause hair loss. Many drugs, some of which may be in your medicine cabinet, can make your hair fall out. A lot of medications for acne, arthritis, depression, heart problems, and high blood pressure can interfere with the normal cycle of hair growth. Below are some common medications that can cause hair loss:
- Acne treatments: Absorica and Accutane
- Antidepressants: Prozac and Zoloft
- Cholesterol-lowering drugs: Lipitor and Zocor
- Blood pressure medications: Captopril and Lisinopril
- Blood thinners: Warfarin
If you suspect a medication is causing your hair loss, do not stop taking the drug until you consult with your doctor. Stopping treatment abruptly can cause health problems way more serious than hair loss. Your doctor may be able to lower the drug’s dosage or switch you to another medication to save your hair.
Nutritional Deficiencies
The saying ⏤ you are what you eat ⏤ couldn’t be more true when it comes to your hair. Hair is a non-essential tissue, meaning you don’t need it to survive. So when you have nutritional deficiencies, your body will deprive that nutrient of your hair and deliver it to vital organs. Without nutrients to support maintenance and growth, your hair will stop growing and fall out.
Consuming the right amount of nutrients is necessary to get thick, luscious hair. Since hair is primarily made up of protein, low protein intake can lead to hair loss. Along with protein, make sure you’re getting enough iron, zinc, biotin, and essential fatty acids through your diet or supplementation to keep your hair in tip-top shape.
Get Your Best Hair
We all want a full, luscious mane. But faulty genes, poor diet, and a stressful life may interfere with us achieving our dream hair. Although some form of hair loss is inevitable during your lifetime, it doesn’t mean you should learn to live with thinning hair. With a healthy lifestyle, routine medical checkups, and the right treatments, you can help your hair look its best at any age.
Tess DiNapoli is an artist, freelance writer, and content strategist. She has a passion for yoga and often writes about health and wellness, but also enjoys covering the fashion industry and world of fitness.
