What Is Hair Loss?
Everyone loses hair every day. This is a normal part of the natural hair cycle.
On average, we lose between 50 and 100 hairs per day. This usually goes unnoticed because new hairs grow at the same time. However, when you lose more than 100 hairs a day or when new hairs do not grow back at the same rate, we speak of hair loss.
Hair loss can present in different ways: from gradually thinning hair to bald spots. It can affect both men and women and occur at various ages. For many people, hair loss has a major impact on their confidence and self-image.
What Are the Signs of Hair Loss?
Recognizing the signs of hair loss early can help you take action. Here are some common signals:
- You find an unusual amount of hair in your brush, on your pillow, or in the shower drain
- Your hair becomes visibly thinner, or you can see more of your scalp than before
- Your hairline is receding or you develop temples
- You notice bald spots on your scalp
- Your hairstyle appears less full than before
What Are the Most Common Causes of Hair Loss?
There are many causes of hair loss. The most common is hereditary hair loss (Androgenetic Alopecia), but other factors can contribute:
Hereditary Hair Loss (Androgenetic Alopecia)
This is the most common cause of hair loss in both men and women. It’s caused by a sensitivity of the hair follicles to the hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which is formed from testosterone through the enzyme 5-alpha-reductase.
When DHT binds to androgen receptors in the hair follicle, the hair’s growth phase shortens, causing hairs to become thinner and shorter until the follicle dies. This leads to thinning areas or baldness.
In men, hereditary hair loss often begins with a receding hairline and deepening temples. In women, it typically appears as diffuse thinning over the scalp.
Hair Loss Due to Stress
Stress can greatly affect your hair. Long-term or intense stress increases adrenaline in the body. Since the scalp has relatively poor blood circulation, this adrenaline is broken down less efficiently.
When adrenaline interacts with sebaceous glands in the scalp, it can produce lactic acid, which harms the scalp and hair growth—potentially leading to hair loss. This type is also known as telogen effluvium.
Signs of stress-related hair loss include sudden shedding, thinning without pain or itching, and sometimes bald patches.
Hair Loss Due to Iron Deficiency
A lack of iron can also cause hair loss. Iron is essential for many body functions, including transporting oxygen to cells. When there’s insufficient iron, the body prioritizes vital organs over hair.
Iron-deficiency-related hair loss often appears as diffuse thinning, particularly on the top of the head. Other symptoms may include fatigue, pale skin, and restless legs.
Iron deficiency can be detected with a blood test. If you suspect this is the cause, consult your doctor.
Hair Loss from Chemotherapy or Radiation
Chemotherapy and radiation are cancer treatments that target fast-dividing cells, including those responsible for hair growth.
Hair loss from these treatments is usually temporary. Hair typically starts to regrow within weeks or months after treatment ends. Sometimes hair texture or color changes afterward.
Other Causes of Hair Loss
- Hormonal changes (pregnancy, menopause, thyroid issues)
- Certain medications
- Skin or scalp conditions
- Autoimmune diseases like alopecia areata
- Nutritional deficiencies
- Physical or emotional trauma
- Damaging hair care habits
Hair Loss Prevention Plan
Want to address hair loss? Here are several helpful strategies:
- Consult a professional: Make an appointment with your GP or a dermatologist who specializes in hair loss to identify the cause and create a treatment plan.
- Watch your diet: Eat a varied and healthy diet rich in vitamins, minerals, and proteins. Nutritional deficiencies—like iron deficiency—can contribute to hair loss.
- Reduce stress: Regular exercise, good sleep, and relaxation techniques can reduce stress, which may improve hair health.
- Avoid damaging hair practices: Excessive dyeing, blow-drying, straightening, or pulling can damage hair. Treat your hair gently and use suitable products.
- Consider proven treatments: Options include minoxidil, finasteride (for men only), mesotherapy, and hair transplants. Talk to a professional to explore possibilities.
Types of Hair Loss
- Hair loss due to hair diseases
- Hair loss caused by cancer
- Hair loss due to iron deficiency
- Hair loss caused by stress
- Hair loss caused by medication
- Thyroid dysfunction
- Hair loss from poor scalp condition
Norwood Hamilton Scale
These charts help determine the stage of hair loss. For men, the Norwood Hamilton Scale is commonly used.
Ludwig Scale
For women, the Ludwig Scale helps assess the severity of hair thinning. These scales cannot predict how much hair you will lose or how the condition will progress.
Hair Loss Treatments
Medical Treatments
- Minoxidil (Rogaine): An over-the-counter topical treatment that may slow hair loss and promote growth.
- Finasteride (Propecia): A prescription pill for men that blocks the hormone responsible for shrinking hair follicles.
- Hormonal therapy: For women whose hair loss is hormone-related.
Non-Medical Treatments
- Mesotherapy: Injecting vitamins, minerals, and nutrients into the scalp to promote growth.
- PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma): Using your own blood plasma to stimulate hair growth.
- Laser therapy: Light therapy that improves scalp circulation and follicle stimulation.
Surgical Treatments
- Hair transplant: Hair follicles are moved from a donor area to balding areas.
- Micro Hair Pigmentation: A cosmetic procedure that tattoos tiny dots on the scalp to simulate fuller hair.
More About Hair Loss
Male Pattern Baldness & Forms of Alopecia
Male pattern baldness (androgenetic alopecia) is the most common type of hair loss in men, characterized by gradual thinning—especially on the crown and hairline. It’s caused by genetic predisposition and DHT sensitivity.
The medical term for hair loss is alopecia, which comes in several forms:
- Alopecia androgenetica: Hereditary hair loss
- Alopecia areata: An autoimmune disorder causing round bald patches
- Alopecia totalis: Total hair loss on the scalp
- Alopecia universalis: Complete hair loss across the entire body
Genetics and Hair Loss
If your father or relatives experienced early hair loss, you may wonder if the same will happen to you. Hereditary hair loss is passed through genes from both sides of the family. A family history increases your risk but is not a guarantee.
Hair Loss in Women
Around 40% of women experience visible hair loss at some point in their lives. In women, hair loss typically appears as general thinning, especially on the crown, rather than a receding hairline as seen in men. Hormonal changes during pregnancy or menopause, stress, and medical conditions are common causes of hair loss in women.
Some women experience hair loss when starting or stopping hormonal contraceptives, such as the pill. These hormonal changes can disrupt the hair growth cycle and lead to telogen effluvium, a temporary form of hair loss. In most cases, hair will grow back within a few months.
Everyday Habits and Hair Loss
Several everyday factors can contribute to hair loss:
- Hair styling: Excessive or improper use of styling products and tools can damage the hair and make it prone to breakage. Aggressive chemical treatments like perms, relaxers, or frequent coloring can irritate the scalp and weaken the hair shaft.
- Hairstyles: Certain hairstyles can cause temporary hair loss. Tight braids, ponytails, buns, or dreadlocks can place too much tension on the hair follicles, potentially leading to traction alopecia (hair loss due to pulling).
- Hair care: Losing some hair while washing is normal – these are typically hairs at the end of their growth cycle. If you’re experiencing excessive shedding, consider using a mild, sulfate-free shampoo, avoid very hot water, massage the scalp gently instead of rubbing hard, and use a wide-tooth comb to detangle after washing.
- Nutrition: An unbalanced diet or crash diets can contribute to hair loss. Your body needs protein, iron, zinc, biotin, and other B vitamins for healthy hair. Deficiencies in these nutrients can result in thinning or shedding.
Medical Aspects of Hair Loss
- Chemotherapy and radiation: In most cases, hair grows back after chemotherapy or radiation, usually within 3–6 months after treatment ends. Sometimes, the new hair may differ in color, texture, or thickness.
- Dandruff and hair loss: Dandruff itself doesn’t cause hair loss. However, the itching it can trigger may lead to scratching, which can damage the scalp. Some underlying conditions like seborrheic dermatitis can cause both dandruff and hair loss.
- Hair loss in children: Children can also experience hair loss. Common causes include tinea capitis (a fungal infection), alopecia areata, trichotillomania (compulsive hair pulling), nutritional deficiencies, hormonal imbalances, and hereditary conditions.
Treatment Results
The time required to see results varies depending on the treatment. For medications like minoxidil and finasteride, it usually takes 3–6 months. For mesotherapy and PRP treatments, results typically appear after 3–6 months with multiple sessions. Hair transplant results may take 6–12 months to become fully visible.