Causes Of Hair Loss
by Paul
Knowing the causes of hair loss can sometimes help with hair loss prevention. Once you know what may be causing the hair loss you may be able to make changes or find an effective hair loss prevention treatment to reverse this condition and hopefully start focusing on ways to promote hair growth, whether you choose a natural hair loss treatment or something like minoxidil.
Unfortunately in some cases there is no easy hair loss remedy or easy way to prevent hair loss. But it is important to get a diagnosis so you know what you are dealing with. Once you receive an accurate diagnosis you can move forward in the best direction for your specific situation.
What Causes Hair Loss?
Here are some of the main hair loss causes. Because some of these causes of hair loss are somewhat uncommon you may want to seek a second opinion if you don’t agree with your original diagnosis. In order to get an accurate diagnosis it may be important to find a dermatologist who has had experience with your specific condition.
- Androgenetic alopecia. AGA for short, this is the most common of the known hair loss causes, both hair loss in men and in women. It is more commonly called male-patterned baldness or female-patterned hair loss. With Androgenetic alopecia genetics, or heredity, is the key factor determining whether or not you will experience this type of balding and at what age you will start to experience hair thinning or loss of hair, as well as the speed and pattern of hair loss. With AGA the hair growth and resting phases are altered. In some cases the hairs become thinner and more superficially rooted so they fall out easier, in some cases the follicles die or become incapable of growing healthy hair.
- Telogen effluvium. Hair loss from TE is generally caused by stress or a shock to your system, either physical or emotional. Things that can trigger this include emotional distress, a metabolic disturbance, or an illness. TE causes a disturbance of the regular hair cycle, causing roots to be pushed to the resting state prematurely. New hair growth will typically occur after the condition is corrected, but it may take a few months.
- Alopecia areata. The cause of this is uncertain but alopecia areata is considered an autoimmune disease where the immune system attacks the hair follicles. Some researchers feel there is a genetic predisposition for this condition and that a specific trigger sets it off. New hair growth will generally occur, but a person with this may lose and regrow hair multiple times.
- Scarring alopecia. This causes permanent hair loss and prevents new hair from growing because inflammation has caused damage and scarring of the hair follicle.
- Traction alopecia and hair treatments. Traction alopecia is caused by hairstyles like ponytails and cornrows that pull too tightly on the hair. If it continues too long and the same hair is pulled out over and over again the hair follicle can become damaged and stop growing new hair. Chemicals used in hair treatments can also cause hair loss if the hair becomes too damaged and breaks off, but only if used incorrectly or overused; however this generally isn’t seen as a true form of hair loss.
- Scalp infections. Ringworm and other scalp infections can also lead to hair loss. But once the infection has been treated new hair growth should occur.
- Medications. Besides chemotherapy certain medications can also cause hair loss in some people, specifically medications for treating depression, arthritis, gout, heart problems, high blood pressure and birth control pills for some women. In some cases it will be temporary hair loss but for others these medications may trigger the onset of androgenetic alopecia or permanent hair loss.
- Medical treatments. Undergoing radiation therapy or chemotherapy can also cause alopecia. But once the treatment is complete typically new hair will grow.
- Hormone changes. Alopecia can be caused by an imbalance or hormonal change, but this usually results in temporary hair loss in women. Things like pregnancy, menopause, an over or underactive thyroid or stopping birth control pills can cause this type of female hair loss. The thinning hair will be noticeable about three months after the hormonal change, it will then take about three more months for hair regrowth. The best hair loss prevention for women, in some cases, means correcting a hormonal imbalance.
- Poor nutrition. There is some debate about how much nutrition plays a role in hair loss prevention, but lack of certain vitamins, minerals and protein can play a role. This is generally only when someone is severely deficient though. Things like fad diets and eating disorders may cause poor nutrition resulting in hair loss.
If you are serious about preventing hair loss it is important to arm yourself with knowledge. Read and research so you can empower yourself with accurate information about the causes of hair loss and so you can find viable hair loss treatment options. Also follow basic hair loss prevention tips to make sure you aren’t stressing your hair or scalp unnecessarily.