What Causes Hair Loss

What Causes Hair Loss

A remarkable number of issues can cause hair loss. A few come from hereditary influences, and others occur because of medical conditions. Hormonal imbalance and life’s stresses account for some. A few habits and a choice of hairstyles may exert influence as well. Derick Dermatology can identify the source of hair loss issues and prescribe an effective treatment for most cases.

Considering the Causes

Anyone who feels alone when hair loss occurs can find many others who face the same concerns. In a population of 331 million Americans, about a quarter experience it. More men have hair loss than women. Almost everyone wants to know why hair falls out and whether it can grow back. A board-certified dermatologist can provide treatment for regrowth and immediate care that prevents further hair loss.

Heredity

More people experience hair loss from inherited genes than any other cause. Hair loss in males and females occurs in patterns, producing a condition that results when the follicles stop functioning. Women may notice it with an overall thinning of hair or a part that gets wider. A receding hairline or a bald spot on top of the head usually indicates male pattern baldness.

Disease, Infection, and Toxicity

Hair loss may occur during the stress on the body from harmful influences, or it may happen later. In addition, medical treatment may cause it in some cases.

• Poison
  Arsenic, mercury, lithium, and thallium can lead to a slow loss of hair. In addition, large amounts of vitamin A can produce a toxic effect.
• Cancer Treatment
  Chemotherapy and radiation on the head or neck can cause hair to fall out during treatment.
• Scalp Infection
  Bald spots can develop when scaly and inflamed patches appear on the scalp.
• Scalp Psoriasis
  The presence of plaque psoriasis can lead to the condition occurring on the scalp and cause hair loss.
• Scarring Alopecia
  One of a few causes that can create permanent damage, the condition occurs when inflammation damages hair follicles. When destroyed, they can no longer produce hair.
• Thyroid Disease
  Thinning and clumps of hair that come out in brushing may indicate a thyroid problem.
• STI
  A sexually transmitted infection can cause the loss of patches of hair on a beard, eyebrows, and scalp.
• Alopecia Areata
  A disease can make the immune system attack hair follicles in the nose and ears, eyelashes, and eyebrows.

Style Choices and Habits

Some seemingly harmless practices may produce a harmful effect on hair. For example, too much heat, certain hair products, and styling choices can produce an unanticipated outcome.

• Pulling
  Something that some people use to relieve stress can make hair fall out. But unfortunately, many people may not know when or how they do it.
• Friction
  Tight clothing, boots, or socks can cause hair loss on any part of the skin they touch.
• Tight Hairstyle
  Swept-back hairdos may look great for special occasions, but regular use can produce damaging traction.
• Stress and Hormonal Influences
  Recent research studies show a connection between stress and hair loss. Scientists have long considered a relationship but have not understood how chronic stress affects hair loss.\
• Medications
  Some medicines may link to the loss of hair. However, the matter requires confirmation by a physician who prescribed them.
• Hormonal Imbalance
  Thinning hair on the scalp or hair loss may result from certain kinds of birth control pills.
• Childbirth, Illness, and Bereavement
  Powerful life events can affect hair by causing it to stop growing or fall out. For example, new mothers may experience hair loss within a few months of giving birth. Likewise, recovery from an illness may subject the body to stresses that affect the hair follicles. Undergoing an operation and life-changing events such as divorce or a death in the family can cause changes in hair growth.

Benefiting from Convenient Access to Skin and Hair Care

Residents of Chicago’s suburbs have access to care from the leader in dermatology. With 18 locations around the city’s perimeter, clients can find the best care in local communities. The full-service offices of Derick Dermatology offer a complete range of cosmetic, medical, and surgical services. As a result, no one needs to drive into the city when exceptionally fine care throughout the suburbs makes it unnecessary.

Cosmetic Dermatology

Appearances matter to almost everyone, especially when it involves hair. Poets have given it glowing names to describe the distinction hair contributes to beauty. A board-certified dermatologist can find the cause of hair loss and relieve patients of concerns. Some conditions may benefit from prompt treatment. Thus, the convenience of 18 suburban locations encourages anyone concerned about hair loss to schedule an appointment.

Medical Dermatology

Many causes of hair loss result from diseases, and an examination by a dermatologist can identify conditions that require medical treatment. Physicians at Derick Dermatology know how to examine and treat disease-related causes of effects on hair growth. Only a few conditions prevent hair from growing back, and patients can seek medical care with confidence.

Surgical Dermatology

The latest techniques in skin cancer surgery help establish the outstanding reputation of Derick Dermatology in our community. Specially trained, caring and compassionate physicians offer services that prevent hospital stays.

Additional Causes for Hair Loss

Women’s styles may contribute to the hair loss that almost everyone dreads. While perhaps not pleasant to consider changing a preferred style, it may become worth considering if it can make a difference in hair loss. Many things that women do hair to beautify can produce consequences. Blow dryers, poor quality brushes, dyes, chemicals, harsh shampoos and improper drying can cause lasting damage. Fortunately, avoiding harmful practices can reverse harmful effects and allow hair to recover or grow again. However, alopecia areata may occur when the immune system attacks hair follicles. Anyone can get it, and the condition affects men and women equally.

Avoiding a Wrong Decision

Seeking to stop hair loss can lead anyone to try unproven methods that cannot solve the issue. Claims that a product can restore hair have no basis in fact. In addition, purchasing vitamins or supplements that advertise hair growth provides no benefits. Changing a hairstyle or cutting back on the frequency of shampoos can do nothing more than delay getting to the cause of hair loss. A board-certified dermatologist can diagnose the cause of hair loss and often find a successful treatment.

Adopting Helpful Practices

Almost everyone appreciates the balance that hair provides around the face, and its beauty attracts admiration. Unfortunately, styles and convenient shortcuts can deprive hair of the care it requires to retain its radiance. Some tips that anyone experiencing hair thinning or loss may provide some protection.

Treating Hair Gently

Shampoos that do not strip moisture away help protect the hair from becoming brittle. Conditioners after every shampoo can coat each strand and guard against breaking and split ends. In addition, leave-in conditioners allow the soothing effect to last longer. Finally, when you wrap a microfiber around your hair, it absorbs the water and lets you shorten or eliminate blow-drying.

Avoiding Harsh Chemicals

Products you can use at home to color, perm, straighten or relax your hair may worsen hair loss. However, you may find a knowledgeable hair salon that can examine your scalp condition and recommend a suitable product. In addition, a moisturizing conditioner after any treatment gives your hair a better chance of tolerating the procedure.

Limiting Exposure to Heat

Fragile hair does not respond well to heat, and many styles and treatments require it. Hot-oil treatments can subject hair already under duress to damaging heat. Similarly, you may choose to use your curling iron, hot comb or flat iron for a special occasion. However, routine use of heat on your hair can further weaken it.

Using Air Drying When Possible

While heat has provided many conveniences in hair care, it becomes unhelpful when you notice thinning or hair loss. Hair dryers can deliver a lot of heat, but the lowest setting lets you cut back on the intensity. Again, a microfiber towel effectively absorbs water and reduces the need to use a hair dryer.

Watching Out for Bad Habits

Some routine hair care practices that work well for healthy hair may produce unwanted effects when the challenges of thinning hair arrive. Styles that once defined how you wear your hair may need to subside for a while.

Staying Aware of Absent-minded Habits

The process of twirling a strand of hair around a finger seems to relax or calm some people. However, it harms fragile hair. When you pull on it, the likelihood of hair loss increases.

Believing Misleading Product Ads

Before you buy a supplement that claims to grow your hair, you may need to find out whether or not you need it. A blood test can tell you whether your diet gives you enough of the nutrients that promote hair growth. Without Food and Drug Administration approval, unregulated supplements may not produce the safe and effective performance you desire. In addition, too much vitamin A, E and selenium has links to hair loss.

Relieving the Pull

Styles that put pressure on your hair can produce traction alopecia, and a permanent loss of hair can occur. Fashions to avoid include pigtails and ponytails, buns, braids and cornrows. Similarly, a smooth motion for combing or brushing your hair lessens some causes of hair loss. A good practice to adopt lets you use a comb and brush only enough to create the style you want. Something as ordinary as combing or brushing your hair can make a significant difference.

Maintaining Good Health

A diet that contains enough calories can help prevent hair loss, while getting too few can lead to a significant loss. Statistics for smoking show that fewer Americans use tobacco in 2022. However, the inflammation it causes in the body provides a reason for anyone with hair loss to stop doing it.

Seeking Expert Care

The best approach to treating hair loss starts with an appointment with a Derick Dermatology board-certified dermatologist. In 19 locations in Chicago’s suburbs and Wesley Chapel, Florida, near Tampa, a staff of world-class skin, nails and hair experts provide superior services. A full range of dermatological treatments through cosmetic, medical and surgical services offer access to convenient care.