Hair Loss Causes

Robert Angelino of HairLab, a medical and natural hair restoration center located in Beverly Hills, California, answers the question millions of balding people ask themselves: “Why am I losing my hair?”

What are the causes of hair loss?

Hair loss of some degree affects most males and many females. While there are several causes of hair loss, most commonly it is simply genetic. In men, DHT is the enzyme produced by testosterone, which at a certain age, causes your hair to become smaller and thinner until it falls out. Most men will experience some sort of hair loss in their life. This can range from mild hair thinning to a maturely receded hairline to full-on male pattern baldness, where all that’s left is a ring of hair around the back and sides of your head.

One might also suffer from alopecia, which is a genetic disorder effecting both men and women that causes some or all of one’s hair to fall out. This can be on the scalp or any other part of the body. In many cases of alopecia, however, the hair grows back without any treatment required.

Hair loss in women is usually a thyroid issue and they are most often suffering from a hormonal imbalance. When we get cases of women with hair loss, we often refer them first out to doctor for blood work to see if they have a thyroid issue. If that is the case, we let the doctor treat her. The doctor will try treatments that can balance her thyroid. But if all else fails, the client will return to Hairlab and we will try other options we have available.

Can stress cause hair loss?

Yes, there is such thing as stress-related hair loss. People often lose their hair if a loved one dies; they get a divorce; or they sustain some sort of trauma. People actually lose hair for a short time after they get hair transplant surgery. Due to the stress of surgery and the shock and trauma to your head, you actually lose some hair around the spot where the transplant took place. As the surgery requires thousands of little incisions into your scalp, this causes a trauma known as “hair shock” which shocks out some of the surrounding hairs. This is, thankfully, temporary and the hair comes back after 2 or 3 months, but it is one of the reasons we recommend using Rogaine immediately after the surgery.

Can smoking cause hair loss?

There is no proof that smoking causes hair loss. It is really usually just a genetic luck of the draw. Seventy five to 80% of men will have some sort of hair loss issue in their life. It is almost a rite of passage. What really sets people apart is how you combat it. Everyone is looking for the silver bullet that will get their hair back immediately, but it is not always that simple. To answer the question: No, there has been no evidence that smoking directly causes hair loss.

Can diet cause hair loss?

Yes. Crash diets have been known to cause hair loss. Eating a poor diet can cause one to thin or even lose their hair. If your diet is deficient in proteins and minerals (especially iron and collagen) ,then those minerals and proteins you are low on will divert from hair production to maintaining your more essential organs. This will result in major hair loss. So yes, diet can be a factor.

The information in the article is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your healthcare provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate healthcare provider.