Hair Loss

Hair loss has many causes. Factors that influence the rate of hair loss include:

• Stressor – pregnancy, childbirth, illness and other stresses such as divorce or death of a loved one. When the stressor is removed, hair regrowth will occur.
• Hormones – hormonal imbalances such as polycystic ovary syndrome that causes cysts on the ovaries can cause hair loss. Hormone imbalances can also be caused by discontinuing birth control pills.
• Diet and nutrition – Inadequate or poor nutrition can cause hair to become brittle and fall out. Consuming too little biotin, iron, proteins or zinc can cause noticeable hair loss.
• Medication – Some medications can cause hair loss as a side effect.
• Age – With age, most people notice some hair loss and thinning. The hair begins to lose color and a woman’s hairline begins to recede.
• Seasonal changes
• Hair care practices – Wearing hair that is tightly pulled back can lead to permanent hair loss. This is called traction alopecia.
• Cancer treatments – Chemotherapy and radiation can cause hair loss that should begin to regrow within months of finishing cancer treatment.
• Thyroid problems – Thyroid disease can cause hair thinning and can be reversed with treatment.
• Scalp infections – fungal scalp infections can cause hair loss. Treatment can reverse the loss in many cases.

If you experience or are concerned with unusual or excessive hair loss or a pattern of hair loss becomes evident, it is time to seek professional guidance from the dermatologists at Ironwood Dermatology.

Androgenetic alopecia is hereditary hair loss. It is commonly called male pattern baldness, and female pattern hair loss. It is genetically predetermined meaning you inherited genes that cause the hair follicles on the head to shrink and stop growing hair. It is characterized by progressive thinning and loss of hair. It affects up to 50% of males and females. In men, beginning in their 30s, hair loss occurs in a defined pattern beginning at both temples and over time the hairline recedes to form a M shape. It also thins hair at the crown that progresses to partial or complete baldness. In women, beginning in their 40-50s and during menopause, the hair on the top of the head becomes thinner and the part widens.

This form of hair loss is related to hormones called androgens, male sexual hormones. Androgens control the hair growth cycle. People with this condition have a stronger response to these male hormones which shortens the hair growth phase and shrinks the hair follicles and results in shorter and thinner hair.

Alopecia Areata is a disease that causes hair loss when the immune system attacks the hair follicles. Hair can be lost on the head, body, inside the nose, in the ears and even the eyelashes and eyebrows. It may appear as patchy hair loss and requires medical treatment.

This is a common form of temporary hair loss that occurs after a shock, stress or traumatic event. Hair loss typically begins within 2-3 months after a major stress like prolonged illness or major surgery.

Diagnosing the cause of hair loss is based on your medical history, a review of your medications, your nutrition, you hair habits and a physical examination. When hair is lost all over the head it is typically a result of telogen effluvium or a side effect of medication or a medical condition. If the loss occurs in patches, it may be a fungal infection or alopecia areata. Blood tests may be ordered to check for medical illness or a thyroid problem, iron deficiency or a sex hormone imbalance.