Hair loss can be devastating for the men and women who experience it. Thinning hair can occur gradually or suddenly, depending on the underlying cause. Some of the most common hair loss causes include genetics, certain medical conditions, age, and hormone changes. Hair loss may be permanent (e.g. androgenetic alopecia) or temporary (e.g. stress-related hair loss). Addressing the problem early is key to experiencing the best outcome.
No matter what’s causing your lovely locks to thin out, you’re probably looking for a solution to stop the loss. Fortunately, there are many different treatments available to help slow hair thinning and encourage new hair growth. Many of these options are gentle and non-surgical. Here’s what you should know about the underlying causes of hair loss and how to find the right treatment.
Why Am I Losing My Hair?
It’s an awful feeling to find clumps of hair in your comb or look in the mirror and see that your hairline has receded even further. When this happens, it’s natural to wonder why your hair is falling out and what you can do to stop it. Here are some of the most common causes of hair loss.
Genetics
There’s no question that genetics and hair loss have a strong connection. Androgenetic alopecia is the most common type of hair loss in men and women. It’s believed that genetics plays an important role in the development of this condition. In men, a receding hairline is a characteristic of androgenetic alopecia. The recession eventually spreads to the top of the scalp and typically causes a bald spot to develop there.
In women, androgenetic alopecia often presents as thinning hair on the sides and top of the head. Women can develop androgenetic alopecia at any point after puberty. However, it’s most common for women with a genetic predisposition to this condition to develop it after menopause.
In men, androgenetic alopecia is often referred to as “male pattern hair loss.” In women, the common term is “female-pattern hair loss.”
Hormone Changes
Hormonal changes can interfere with normal hair growth cycles and potentially lead to hair thinning. Women have a higher risk of experiencing hormone-related hair loss due to fluctuating hormones during pregnancy and menopause. Some women also develop hair loss as a side effect of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Men or women with hypothyroidism may also struggle to keep their hair looking full and healthy.
Medical Conditions
Certain medical conditions can cause widespread or patchy hair loss in men or women. They include scalp infections, hypothyroidism, and autoimmune diseases. In cases where baldness stems from a medical condition, treating the underlying illness or disease may rectify the hair loss issues.
Stress
Occasional stress can be a great thing when it prompts you to prepare for a test, meet an upcoming deadline, or boost your performance. However, many people live with chronic stress, which can tax the body and have a negative impact on overall health and well-being. Sometimes, stress can contribute to premature hair loss. The good news is that stress-related hair loss often improves after the removal of the source of chronic stress.
Nutritional Deficiencies
Certain nutrients play important roles in hair growth. If your body doesn’t have enough of these specific nutrients, your hair or scalp health may suffer. Zinc, vitamin D, and iron deficiencies could all potentially cause hair loss and excessive shedding. You can have your blood tested to determine whether you have nutrient deficiencies that may impact your hair and scalp health.
Medications
Some medications list hair loss as a possible side effect, such as:
- Accutane (an acne medication)
- Cholesterol-lowing drugs (including simvastatin and atorvastatin)
- Colcrys (a gout medication)
- Some steroids (including progesterone and testosterone)
- Cimetidine (an antacid)
- GLP-1 weight loss medications (including tirzepatide and semaglutide)
- Blood pressure medications (including lisinopril and captopril)
Not everyone who takes these drugs will end up going bald. However, if you take any of these drugs and lose hair, there’s a good possibility you’re experiencing a known side effect of the drug.
Age
Age is one of the most common causes of hair loss in men and women. As you grow older, you’re almost guaranteed to notice hair thinning at some point. Older adults experience faster cell death than younger people. That’s why aged individuals often have fragile skin and weak bones. They also tend to have brittle, weak hair and experience noticeable thinning or baldness.
Traumatic Hairstyling
If you’re the type of person who likes to use a lot of heat or chemicals when styling your hair, do so with caution. Traumatic hairstyling techniques and harsh products might eventually lead to hair loss. Styling your hair in tight ponytails, hair extensions, or braids can also lead to breakage. In cases of severe and prolonged damage to the scalp and hair follicles, hair loss may be permanent. Whenever possible, use gentle products, heat-free techniques, and loose hairstyles to keep your locks healthy and full.
What Are Popular Hair Loss Treatments?
Now that you know some of the most common causes of hair loss, it’s time to discover your treatment options. There are both surgical and nonsurgical hair restoration options available. Surgical options understandably come with a higher risk of complications like bleeding, infection, and scarring. They also tend to be more expensive per treatment, which is why many people turn to non-surgical options.
Non-surgical hair loss treatments are highly popular because they offer good outcomes for many people and have a low risk of serious side effects. Your provider may recommend a series of treatments for optimal outcomes. Here are some of the most popular nonsurgical treatments for hair loss.
Microneedling for Hair Restoration
Scalp microneedling for hair loss involves inserting tiny needles into the treatment area to stimulate an increase in collagen and elastin levels. It also enhances blood flow and nutrient delivery to the hair follicles and strengthens weakened follicles. Scalp microneedling treatments improve hair density by creating micro-channels that stimulate growth factors.
Most people need a series of three to six microneedling sessions to get the best hair restoration results. Some may need more or fewer than that, depending on the underlying cause of hair loss and individual factors. Most patients can resume normal activities on the same day as their treatment.
PRP for Hair Loss
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is making big waves in the hair restoration industry because it’s so effective. It stimulates hair growth naturally using PRP from the patient’s own body. The process involves extracting a small amount of the patient’s blood, then putting it through a special process to separate the platelets. Then, a provider injects the platelet-rich plasma into the scalp to stimulate hair follicles and promote new growth.
Many people get good hair regrowth results after up to six PRP treatments. However, since the results are temporary, maintenance treatments are often recommended.
HydraFacial® Keravive Treatment
HydraFacial Keravive is a unique hair-loss treatment that supports optimal growth by infusing the hair follicles with a nutrient-rich solution. The treatment also deeply cleanses the hair follicles and clears away blockages.
HydraFacial Keravive is one of the top hair-thinning solutions for people who want to create a healthy scalp environment without surgery. It’s a restorative treatment that often delivers the best results after a series of three or more treatments. There’s no downtime after this treatment and the results last up to 12 months.
Alma TED Hair Restoration
Alma TED (TransEpidermal Delivery) is a cutting-edge hair restoration solution that rejuvenates hair without surgery. It uses air pressure and powerful sound waves to create temporary pathways in the scalp. These pathways help the scalp absorb a topical Hair Care Formula. The treatment improves blood flow and nutrient delivery to the hair follicles, resulting in stronger, thicker hair.
Many providers recommend a series of up to four Alma TED treatments for optimal hair restoration. Each treatment is typically spaced one month apart. You may begin to see improvements just one month after your initial treatment. There’s no downtime after this treatment and the results are permanent.
Nutrafol Supplementation
Nutrafol is a hair growth supplement that’s clinically proven to boost hair growth in menopausal women. This treatment addresses nutrient deficiencies that commonly contribute to hair thinning. Whether you’re dealing with genetic or hormonal hair loss, this treatment may help you enjoy a fuller head of healthy hair.
Depending on the severity and type of hair loss you’re experiencing, your provider may recommend taking Nutrafol for six months or longer. Most people start to see notable improvements after taking the supplement for 30 days. Many providers recommend taking photos of thinning areas before starting the treatment so you can track improvements over time.
Schedule Your Hair Rejuvenation Treatment
No matter what’s causing your hair to thin, take comfort in knowing there are some excellent, nonsurgical hair loss treatments available to you. Gleam Medical Spa is a premier provider of minimally invasive hair restoration treatments in Denver, CO. We offer customized treatment plans tailored to your unique scalp and follicle needs. To schedule your personalized scalp assessment, contact us at (303) 507-7823 today.
