September 15, 2021

Why Is My Hair Falling Out?

If you’ve recently discovered more hair in the shower drain than you’d like to see, you may be worried about hair loss. Discovering hair loss can be very emotional. You might feel like it’s completely out of your control. Thankfully, there are several safe and effective hair replacement treatments available here at the Hair Restoration Institute that can help you get back in control of your life. One of the first steps is discovering the reason for your hair loss. There are several different causes that range from simple to complex. Here are some of the most common causes of hair loss that may be affecting your hair. 

Genetics. One of the most common reasons for hair loss is androgenetic alopecia, commonly called male pattern baldness or female pattern baldness. This type of hair loss usually happens as we age, but it can happen early in some families. In men, there’s usually a common pattern of hair loss at the hairline and at the top back of the head that slowly spreads. In women, the pattern is usually less obvious, resulting in general thinning all over or at the part line. If any of your relatives have these patterns of hair loss and you’re noticing thinning, genetics may be the cause. In fact, about 95 percent of hair loss is caused by genetics. 

Autoimmune disease. Not all people with autoimmune disease experience thinning hair, but some have a condition called alopecia areata, which causes circle-shaped patches of hair loss on the scalp. Many times, the hair will grow back on its own, but the condition will relapse in about one-third of people with this condition.

Stress. Stress can cause a lot of troublesome effects in our physical bodies, and hair loss can be one of them for some people. Hair loss from stress, or telogen effluvium, is fairly common. The stress response and the hormones it generates cause hair follicles to enter what is called a resting phase, where the hair stops growing. Resting phases are a normal part of the hair growth cycle, but if too many follicles rest at once, it leads to thinning hair in that area. Another stress-related cause of hair loss is trichotillomania, where a person deliberately pulls out hair. In these conditions, hair can grow back if the stressor is removed, or the person works through it with therapy.

Chemicals and medications. Some medications or medical treatments, like chemotherapy for cancer patients, can cause temporary hair loss. Usually, when the treatment or medication is discontinued, hair growth resumes.

Hairstyling. If you often wear tight ponytails or constantly brush and pull on your hair, that can cause a condition called traction alopecia. Excessive pulling on your hair can, in some cases, cause otherwise healthy hair to shed. No matter what the cause of your hair loss, you need to know that there is help for hair loss available thanks to years of research into the causes and effects of hair loss. At the Hair Restoration Institute, we have a full menu of different hair loss options for different needs. We’ll assess your overall health as well as your degree of hair loss, determine your hair replacement goals, then develop a personalized plan to help you reach those goals and restore your thinning hair. We offer a wide variety of treatments that are safe and effective. Your personalized treatment plan may include one or more of the following treatment options:

• FUT or FUE hair transplantation
• Dermal Lens hair replacement systems
• PRP treatments
• Laser light treatments
• Custom wigs
• Scalp micropigmentation
• Hair loss prevention products

Discovering hair loss can be very upsetting, but it’s possible to take control, no matter what stage of hair loss you’re in. Make an appointment at Hair Restoration Institute for a free, discreet professional consultation with one of our hair loss medical professionals and take the first step in taking control of your hair loss. We’ll give you a full examination and create a personalized hair restoration plan to help restore your lost hair and build up your confidence. Find us at 8030 Old Cedar Ave S Ste 202 in Bloomington, MN, or call 612-588-HAIR (4247) for a private, complimentary consultation.