Causes of Hair Loss: What You Can Do About It

Hair loss can take different forms. You often only realize how important your own hair is when sudden hair loss occurs. This condition is called alopecia, and nowadays we have treatments for it. This article can serve as an initial guide, after which you should seek medical treatment.

Recognizing Hair Loss

Every person loses between 60 and 100 hairs daily, which is completely normal. If you think you are losing even more hair, you might be suffering from hair loss. You usually notice this because your hairbrush fills with hair after just a few strokes and needs cleaning. Over time, the scalp hair becomes thinner because not enough new hair grows back.

While men often develop "receding hairlines" that can progress to baldness, women usually notice hair loss at the crown. The most common type is alopecia areata, characterized by the formation of a hair ring. Otherwise, diffuse hair loss is usually present.

Possible Causes of Hair Loss

Hair loss can have many causes. First, we want to point out that human hair loss can vary with the annual cycle. So if you notice increased hair loss in autumn, it does not necessarily indicate alopecia.

Otherwise, hair loss is often due to genetic factors. It’s worth checking your family history to see if hair loss occurs frequently. Then you may have identified the cause of your hair loss.

Hormonal changes can especially cause hair loss in women during menopause or after stopping birth control pills. Pregnancy and breastfeeding are two other critical times when increased hair loss can occur.

Poor nutrition, medications, and environmental toxins could also cause increased hair shedding. If you take medication, consult your doctor. They may suggest alternatives that preserve your hair. If poor nutrition is the cause, a nutritionist or doctor can identify weak points.

Improper hair care can also lead to hair loss. Especially harsh shampoos and styling products are to blame. Often it’s the chemical ingredients, so switching to natural cosmetics can be worthwhile. Also, tightly pulled ponytails can cause hair loss over time because the hair roots are stressed too much. We summarize the possible types of hair loss again:

• Androgenetic alopecia (hormonal hair loss)
• Alopecia areata (circular hair loss)
• Telogen effluvium (temporary hair loss)
• Traction alopecia (e.g., from tightly pulled ponytails)
• Anagen effluvium (e.g., from chemotherapy)
• Scarring alopecia (due to infections or inflammations)

It is often unfortunately not possible to determine a clear cause. Also, a combination of several factors can trigger hair loss. In any case, a visit to the doctor is worthwhile.

Conventional Treatment Methods for Hair Loss

People affected by hair loss increasingly turn to natural cosmetics to gently combat hair loss. However, natural substances are not part of conventional treatment methods.

Primarily, a doctor will try to determine the cause. If certain nutrient deficiencies trigger hair loss, these should be corrected. If medications cause hair loss, they should be replaced.

Medication treatment is usually done with minoxidil. This drug lowers blood pressure and can help hereditary hair loss by promoting new hair growth. Cortisone is occasionally applied to the affected area in cases of circular hair loss.

For women, anti-androgens can help with hormone-related hair loss, for example in patients with PCOS. These block the effect of male hormones on hair roots, which could stimulate hair growth.

Estradiol against hair loss can also be useful for women and should be discussed with a doctor. Vitamin D, zinc against hair loss, and progesterone could also be options. Discuss these with a doctor to possibly curb sudden hair loss in women.

Hair transplantation is increasingly seen online. Usually, hair is transplanted from the back of the head to bald spots.

Treatment with Natural Products

It is often worthwhile to switch from harsh chemical hair care products to natural cosmetics. The natural ingredients can be gentler on the scalp, which might help reduce hair loss. However, scientific research on this is lacking.

A study by the research team led by Dr. Jérémy Chéret [1] investigated the effect of sandalwood oil and its fragrance components on hair loss. There is evidence that the lifespan of hair could be extended. Therefore, sandalwood oil is recommended in natural cosmetics for hair loss, but further research is needed to confirm this effect.

Another natural active ingredient could be millet extract with miliacin [2]. This might stimulate cell growth in hair roots and thus prevent hair loss. Ideally, discuss this option with a doctor or naturopath.

Burdock root extract might also help with hair loss. Discuss this option with your doctor as well, since there is very little research available.

Rosemary oil is also often promoted as a natural remedy against hair loss. Research provides some indications [3], but the exact mechanism is not proven. Therefore, rosemary oil is often used as a complementary therapy.

Key Point: Nutrition

More and more dietary supplements against hair loss are available. However, their effectiveness is not proven, so you can save your money. If your doctor identifies a nutrient deficiency as the cause of hair loss, they will prescribe specific supplements accordingly. Taking expensive supplements against hair loss without such a reason is unnecessary. Claims like “Vitamin B12 makes hair grow again” are simply not true.

A balanced diet against hair loss could help reduce it. So if you have been eating rather one-sidedly, a bit more variety on your plate might be helpful.

Causes of Hair Loss: Frequently Asked Questions

Hair Loss: Which Vitamins Are Missing?

Biotin is a vitamin the human body needs to produce keratin. Keratin is the substance hair is made of. That’s why biotin is often added to dietary supplements against hair loss. If there is a biotin deficiency, other B vitamins, especially vitamin B12, are often also lacking. A doctor can diagnose such a deficiency.

What Does the Body Lack in Hair Loss?

Many causes can trigger hair loss. Most often, it is genetic factors. If you notice hair loss, you should see a doctor. Modern medicine offers several diagnostic methods to identify the true cause.

Sources

[1] https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-018-05973-0

[2] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31135099/

[3] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25842469/