What causes hair loss

There are multiple hair loss causes, both in men and in women.  Regardless of the causes, loss of hair has both long and short-term physical, emotional and psychosocial effects on those affected.  There is no one general answer to what causes hair loss, but rather multiple reasons, as well as multiple remedies.

Normally, each hair on a person’s hair replaces itself every three to five years.  Between 50 and 150 hair are shed by an average person each day.  When hair loss at a greater rate begins to occur, multiple hair loss causes may be occurring. 

Hair Loss Causes

Heredity is the most common cause of hair loss, with the genetics being received on the maternal (mother’s) side of the family.  Another hair loss reason may include illness (either chronic sickness or sudden illness that involves high fevers), pregnancy, change in medication, sudden starvation or weight loss, accidental trauma, large hemorrhages, surgery, or extreme emotional distress.  In about two-thirds of the cases, the hair loss reason cannot be determined.  If illness or diseases is suspected, a physician may decide to perform a punch biopsy of the patient’s scalp in order to determine what causes hair loss.

Whether hair loss is caused by genetic or external factors, the results are generally the same.  Both men and women tend to suffer a lack of self esteem that escalates with the amount of hair loss.  Introversion and depression are also related to loss of hair in both men and women.  Interestingly, the earlier a person starts losing hair, the greater the sense of low self-esteem tends to be.  Younger bald people, regardless of gender, suffer from more emotional and psychosocial issues than older people who lose their hair.

The emotional and psychosocial effects of hair loss on men who do not seek treatment have been studied extensively.  Though what causes hair loss vary from person to person, studies universally agree that men from 18-50 with untreated hair loss suffer from a perception of appearing older than their natural age and greater dissatisfaction with the appearance of their hair.

Treatment for Hair Loss

Regarding remedies, treatment for hair loss must be customized to each individual patient.  What works for one may not work for the next.  Especially for women, quality of life issues tend to be the first concern when deciding on whether or not to seek treatment.  Concerns of loss of femininity, issues with sexual and marital problems, and depression are common in women suffering hair loss. 

The drug minoxidil (in a 2% solution) is known to stimulate hair growth in men.  Until 2004, minoxidil had not been studied in women, so its effects on half of the population suffering hair loss were not known.  A 48-week study was conducted on 381 women, ages 18 to 49, in 2004.  The subjects were women suffering from female pattern hair loss.  Results at the end of the study showed that minoxidil 2% definitely showed a better result than a placebo in restoring hair growth in women suffering female pattern hair loss.

One other newer approach to restoring hair is laser/light-based treatment.  Independent studies have found this treatment to be harmless and appears to be safe for both men and women.  However, proper scientific studies about laser/light-based treatment have not yet been conducted, so its efficacy is still unknown. 

In summary, all patients – both men and women – suffering from hair loss should seek medical evaluation.  If what causes hair loss is determined as one of a medical (illness or disease) nature, pharmacologic treatment may be prescribed.  If the hair loss causes are heredity and concerns are strictly emotional and psychosocial, other topical treatments, such as minoxidil, may be used.