June 15, 2021
Causes of Hair Loss
When you start discovering thinning spots on your hair, it can be very upsetting. When it happens, it’s easy to feel like you have no control over it. But it’s important to know that there are multiple effective, safe hair replacement treatments, including treatments that help stimulate hair growth before those thinning spots become more noticeable. Understanding the causes of hair loss is part of the process of taking control and finding the right hair replacement treatment for you.
Genetics play a huge role in hair loss, but that doesn’t mean your hair loss will be the same as what your older relatives experienced. Science has developed some incredibly effective alternatives that either help stimulate hair growth or replace hair in thinning areas. Although 95% of hair loss is caused by genetics, everyone’s experience is different, especially if they have an effective hair replacement plan designed by a qualified hair loss expert.
Genetics. The most common type of genetic hair loss is androgenetic alopecia. It can happen in both men and women, and its more common terms are male pattern baldness and female pattern baldness. Androgens are male hormones, but they are present in some amounts in females as well because they have several important functions. Higher levels of androgens in the system can affect the growth stage in hair follicles. Each follicle has periods of hair growth, shedding, rest, and regrowth. High levels of androgens can make these follicles remain in the resting stage for too long, which can result in visible hair loss.
For men, androgenetic alopecia shows up as a predictable pattern of hair loss, with a receding hairline and an area of hair loss at the back of the crown. Over time, these areas become more pronounced if not treated. In women, the same condition shows itself differently, with more general hair loss all over. This makes hair appear thinner but doesn’t usually result in the same receding hairline effect as it does for men. Androgenetic alopecia generally results in hair loss over time as the body ages, but the onset of noticeable hair loss varies. Some people notice thinning hair as early as their 20s, and others don’t experience it until later in life.
Autoimmune disease. Another type of hair loss, called alopecia areata, is caused by autoimmune disease, a disorder that affects your immune system. In this condition, your immune system mistakenly attacks hair follicles as if they are threats to the body, and this causes hair to fall out. In many cases, hair will regrow after this happens, but there is also a risk of a relapse.
Other medical conditions. Even some genetic causes of hair loss like androgenetic alopecia can have secondary causes or be related to other underlying conditions that affect your health. In men, some conditions associated with hair loss are insulin resistance or diabetes, obesity, prostate cancer, and high blood pressure. And women with androgenetic alopecia can also be at higher risk of conditions that cause hormonal imbalances like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), which can cause other health symptoms. The chemicals in cancer treatments can also affect hair growth by killing cells that nourish your follicles, which is why hair loss is often a result after chemotherapy.
Stress. Extreme stress can cause hair loss in a condition called telogen effluvium. This is usually temporary, with stress causing the follicles to enter the resting phase but allowing them to re-enter the growth stage when the stress is resolved. No matter what the cause of your hair loss, it’s important to have a full medical evaluation so that the experts at the Hair Restoration Institute can assess your needs and design a hair restoration plan that works for you. Make an appointment for a confidential consultation today and we’ll evaluate your overall health, your hair loss level, and the possible causes of your hair loss to develop your individualized treatment plan. You can find us at 8030 Old Cedar Ave S Ste 202 in Bloomington, MN, or call 612-588-HAIR (4247) for a private, complimentary consultation.
