Causes of Hair Loss

Reviewed by Yael Halaas, MD

The first step toward treating your hair loss is determining its root cause, but it may take some detective work on your part. There are many potential hair loss causes — and quite a few hair loss treatments — that make many types of hair loss treatable (if not totally reversible).

Genetics

This is the No. 1 cause of hair loss in men and women.  Male- and female-pattern baldness (androgenetic alopecia) can be passed on from your dad or your mom. Your genes will also influence the age at which you begin losing your hair, the speed at which it occurs and its pattern. You can't change your genes, but many hair loss treatments, including hair transplants, can help when heredity is the hair loss culprit.

Stress

Stress is everywhere in our fast-paced, multi-tasking world, and it can make you feel like pulling all your hair out. Stress can also cause hair loss. Stress-induced hair loss (telogen effluvium) usually occurs after severe emotional or physical stress, such as surgery, illness or the loss of a loved one. The good news is that stress-induced hair loss is reversible, but this process can take up to one year. Relaxation techniques such as yoga, massage and deep breathing exercises may help reduce stress, and its effects.

Hormones

Hormones can cause hair loss in men and women.  For example, your thyroid gland regulates hormones including thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). An overactive or underactive thyroid gland can result in hair loss. The loss is reversed when the thyroid disorder is diagnosed and treated. Also, hair loss can occur when male or female sex hormones are out of balance. Hair loss after pregnancy is also common. This occurs because high levels of certain hormones cause you to keep hair that would normally fall out during pregnancy, resulting in fuller and often healthier-looking hair. After delivery, however, these hormones return to baseline and the extra hair falls out.

Medications

There is a laundry list of medications that may cause hair loss. They include acne medications, antibiotics, anti-fungals, antidepressants, oral contraceptives, anti-clotting drugs, cholesterol medications, immunosuppressants, breast cancer drugs, epilepsy drugs,  beta-blockers, ACE inhibitors, diuretics, hormone replacement therapy, mood stabilizers, Parkinson's disease medications, and steroids (to name just a few).

Chemotherapy drugs that are used to treat cancer also cause hair loss. These drugs work by killing all the fast-growing cells in your body, including cancer cells and hair cells.

If you are experiencing hair loss, your doctor should perform an exhaustive review of your current medication regimen to determine if any of the drugs you take play a role. The cure for medication-induced hair loss is changing medications. This should never be done without first consulting with the prescribing doctor.

Infection

Certain fungal infections on the scalp may cause hair loss. This is usually reversed with anti-fungal medications.

Hair Styling

Over-styling of hair — such as frequent blow drying or flat-ironing, chemical relaxers or straighteners, highlights, low lights and hair dyes — can all cause hair loss under the right circumstances. Changing your hair styling routine and/or hair products may reverse the hair loss trend.

Diet

Crash diets, nutritional deficiencies stemming from restrictive diets, or eating disorders can all play a role in hair loss. Deficiencies in vitamin A, B vitamins, biotin, vitamin C, copper, iron, zinc, protein and water may all cause hair loss. Discuss your eating habits with your doctor if you are experiencing hair loss.

Trichotillomania

This hair-pulling disorder is marked by an irresistible urge to pull your hair out. It results in patchy bald spots. The treatment may involve psychological counseling or anti-anxiety medications.

Disease

Hair loss may be an early warning sign of an underlying disease like lupus or diabetes. Don't ignore it!

If you are experiencing hair loss, consult with a board-certified facial plastic surgeon with experience in its diagnosis and treatment. We understand that discussing this issue with a stranger may make you feel self-conscious. To ease your anxiety, we have created a directory that exclusively lists surgeons with excellent reputations for producing superb cosmetic treatment outcomes. Placing your trust in the hands of one of these surgeons will ensure optimal hair restoration results. Please click here or on the right side of this page to find a surgeon near you.

In addition to covering a variety of hair loss topics, All About Facial Rejuvenation addresses a number of beautification topics such as facial plastic surgery procedures, including face lift, rhinoplasty, brow lift and eyelid surgery. Please visit the other pages on this site to learn more.

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(Updated on 05/08/2012)
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