The first step in dealing with hair loss is to determine what is causing it. There are many reasons an individual may develop full or partial hair loss, but most of them fall into some basic categories.

The Top Seven Causes of Hair Loss

• Genetics:  Androgenic alopecia is the most common form of hair loss. Also known as male pattern baldness (MPB), and/or female pattern baldness (FPB), it results from a genetic sensitivity to a testosterone derivative called DHT or dihydrotestosterone. The more DHT receptors a person has on his or her follicles, the sooner and faster hair tends to fall out.  Activation of the DHT receptors causes hair follicles to shrink in certain areas of the scalp.
  
  In men, it often causes a distinctive M-shaped receding hairline, sometimes with a balding spot at the crown of the scalp. Approximately half of women with FPB experience a similar pattern of loss, while the other half experience overall hair thinning throughout the scalp.  The loss pattern depends on the distribution of DHT receptors.  Women tend to experience androgenic alopecia later in life than their male counterparts because they have much lower overall DHT levels in their bodies.

• Hormonal Changes:  Changes or imbalances in one’s hormones can cause hair loss. Both men and women can experience hormonal hair loss unrelated to androgenic alopecia.  Thyroid hormone imbalances can cause hair loss in both men and women, and cause hair breakage. Women tend to lose hair due to such causes as post-pregnancy (because of a fast drop in progesterone levels), menopause (a drop in both estrogen and progesterone), and polycystic ovarian syndrome (elevated DHT levels).

• Stress:  Stress can be hard on our hair. Both physical and psychological stress can elevate the cortisol levels in the body and lead to telogen effluvium. This is a type of excess hair shedding where a large number of follicles are triggered into the resting phase of their growth cycle. Generally, one to three months after a major stressor to the body, these resting hairs then shed in large amounts. Stress is also implicated as a possible trigger for autoimmune hair loss conditions like alopecia areata, which often presents as one or more expanding patches of hair loss on the scalp. Stress may even lead to a psychiatric condition called trichotillomania, where an individual develops the habit of pulling hairs from their scalp or elsewhere on their body. Over time, this habit can lead to permanent loss in the area of picking due to scarring.

• Health Issues: One’s health has a tremendous impact on hair vitality. A wide variety of diseases and medical conditions can cause hair loss. Anemia, autoimmune issues, and folliculitis are common culprits. Even contracting a virus can affect one’s hair. Since 2020, we have seen many cases of hair loss following a moderate to severe bout of COVID. This loss tends to occur several weeks to months after the infection.

• Medications: Medications and medical treatments often cause hair loss as a side effect. Chemotherapy is the most well-known and aggressive of the medication-induced hair loss conditions because chemotherapy medications are designed to kills cells that grow fast, which includes hair follicles and mucous membranes.  However, even oral medications for common conditions like anxiety, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and acne, among others, can cause hair loss as an unfortunate side effect.

• Nutritional Deficits: An unhealthy or unbalanced diet can deprive follicles of crucial nutrients. Protein, iron, Vitamin D, biotin, and zinc, along with other vitamins and minerals, are necessary for healthy hair growth. Crash diets, severely restricted diets, and excessive sugar consumption can trigger hair loss and disrupt the hair’s growth cycle. 

• Styling Practices – The way you style your hair can cause hair loss. Harsh chemicals, high heat, or styling techniques that pull on the hair shaft can break the hair shaft or damage the follicle. A condition called traction alopecia can result over time from wearing hairstyles or tight head-wear that continuously pull the hair or rub the scalp.

How Do I Know What Type of Hair Loss I Have?

You may be able to make an educated guess based on where and how you are losing hair, as well as any known or suspected behavioral or health issues you’re experiencing. That being said, there is no substitute for an accurate diagnosis from a qualified hair loss expert.  It is always a good idea to find out the cause of hair loss and treat it directly, rather than simply trying various products which may or may not be actually making a difference in the health of your hair.

At your complimentary consultation, Dr. Ross will ask you questions about your hair loss and your medical history. He will then examine your hair and scalp to try to identify the cause of the problem. If necessary, he may recommend additional diagnostic tests to uncover or rule out underlying health issues.

What Hair Type Loses the Most Hair?

Fine, thick, straight, or curly, there is no hair type that is more likely to experience hair loss. Hair loss may be more apparent in those with thinner hair shafts, but the number of lost hairs is the same on average as those with thicker hair shafts. People with curly hair tend to be able to hide hair loss for a longer period of time because the curls fill in the gaps between the hairs. Hair loss also visually appears sooner when there is a large contrast between the hair color and skin color. This is because the appearance of hair loss is most noticeable when you can see the scalp through the hair. 

How Do I Know If My Hair Loss Is Normal?

The American Academy of Dermatology defines a “normal” amount of hair shedding as 50-100 strands per day. Daily hair shedding is a natural, healthy part of your hair’s growth cycle, with older strands falling out to make way for new ones. If you are losing more than a hundred strands each day, if your hair loss began suddenly or if it is occurring in a noticeable pattern, it may be time to call us. Dr. Ross can almost always determine the underlying cause and recommend the best hair loss treatment options available to fix your specific problem.

Can You Reverse Hereditary Hair Loss?

Many of the above-mentioned types of hair loss are reversible with treatment, especially if discovered early in the process, but genetic hair loss is typically permanent. Once hair follicles stop producing new strands, the only proven way to regrow hair in the affected area is with surgical hair restoration, a process that replaces defunct follicles with productive ones from elsewhere on the scalp.

The good news is, if you address hereditary hair loss early, you can significantly slow or even halt its progression. Medications like minoxidil and finasteride, as well as regenerative treatments using the novel painless Alma TED (Transepidermal Delivery) system, or the older platelet rich plasma (PRP), stem cells, and exosomes therapies can preserve and enhance your existing hair and prevent hereditary and other forms of hair loss from advancing.

La Mesa Medical Hair Restoration Treats Hair Restoration for All Types of Hair Loss

La Mesa Medical Hair Restoration offers a comprehensive range of hair restoration treatments for every type of hair loss. From FUE and FUT surgical hair restoration offering natural, permanent results, to medications and minimally invasive procedures to spur hair growth, we want to help you achieve a thicker, fuller head of hair. To learn more or to set up a consultation, call us at (619) 832-4885 or contact us online. We look forward to hearing from you.