Understanding Hair Loss

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Understanding Hair Loss With Dr. Malhotra

How much do you know about hair loss?

Many of our hair loss patients have seen relatives and friends with thinning hair and bald spots for as long as they can remember. Although hair loss is a widespread phenomenon, you may not understand why it happens or how to treat it.

Understanding what’s happening on your head is the first step to finding solutions for your hair loss. When you understand why you’re losing your hair, you can regain control as you seek effective treatment options at Balance Hair Restoration.

Watch: Hair Restoration Graft Quality and Preservation

Hair Loss: What It Is and Why It Happens

Humans and all other mammals grow hair all over their bodies. Hair is a thin shaft of keratin that grows out of hair follicles, a specialized organ found within the skin. As your hair follicles produce new cells, hair grows.

When people talk about hair loss, they are typically referring to a reduction of thickness or quantity in the hair on the head. Hair loss is often a progressive condition, gradually getting more obvious over time.

What Causes Hair Loss?

There are many causes of hair loss. While some are within your control, others are unavoidable. If you’re experiencing hair loss, a dermatologist may help you pinpoint the cause and potentially reverse it. Dr. Malhotra recommends that all female patients experiencing hair loss consult with a dermatologist before considering hair restoration. Common causes of hair loss include the following:

Genetics

Hair loss tends to run in families. If your relatives have a history of hair loss, you are more likely to experience it, too. Hair loss results both from your maternal and paternal side.

Hormones

Hormonal changes or imbalances can contribute to hair loss. Many women experience hair thinning during or after pregnancy and around menopause. Men can experience hormonal thinning or balding, too.

Medical conditions

Some medical conditions linked to hair loss include thyroid disorders, diabetes, and lupus.

Medications

Many medications change the hair. Chemotherapy is one of the best-known medications to cause hair loss, but other drugs may also accelerate thinning and balding, including antibiotics, cholesterol medications, and antidepressants.

Hairstyle

Tight hairstyles, including ponytails and cornrows, can pull on the hair, causing breakage and thinning.

Age

As you get older, hair loss and thinning become more common.