Medication: Over-the-counter medications you apply to your scalp (such as minoxidil, or Rogaine®) are usually the first course of treatment for thinning hair. A prescription oral medication (finasteride, or Propecia®) is approved only for men with male pattern baldness.
Most of the time when people are chatting about the big 3 for hair loss, they are referring to Minoxidil, Finasteride, and Ketoconazole (Nizoral) shampoo. Although, there are some who feel like the third component of the big 3 should be microneedling in place of Ketoconazole shampoo.
Among the common causes are high fevers, childbirth, severe infections, severe chronic illness, severe psychological stress, major surgery or illnesses, over or under active thyroid gland, crash diets with inadequate protein, and a variety of medications.
No. Thin hair cannot become thicker, and fine hair cannot become coarser.
Biotin remains commonly recommended by hair loss specialists at doses up to 5,000 mcg.
Family history (heredity). The most common cause of hair loss is a hereditary condition that happens with aging.
Severe and prolonged hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism can cause loss of hair. The loss is diffuse and involves the entire scalp rather than discrete areas. The hair appears uniformly sparse.
Only riboflavin, biotin, folate, and vitamin B12 deficiencies have been associated with hair loss. Vitamin B2 (riboflavin) is a component of two important coenzymes: flavin mononucleotide (FMN) and flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) [22].
Sudden hair loss can be temporary due to stressors, hormonal changes, medications, and other environmental factors. However, hair loss can also be permanent depending on the cause and how it affects the hair growth cycle.
For an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism), doctors often prescribe levothyroxine, which is a medication that acts like the natural thyroid hormone your body is lacking. Taking this oral medication daily helps correct the imbalance interfering with hair growth.
Finasteride (generic Propecia®) is a prescription tablet that effectively blocks DHT and stops further hair loss, including receding hairlines. It works by binding to the 5α-Reductase enzyme, effectively inhibiting your body from producing DHT in the first place.
Despite its popularity in the media and amongst consumers, biotin has no proven efficacy in hair and nail growth of healthy individuals. Only 1 study has shown decreased levels of biotin in healthy individuals, though this data was confounded by multiple factors, including patient history.
A common symptom of an underactive thyroid is weight gain, often around the abdomen. However, the American Thyroid Association states that the weight gain may not necessarily be due to the build up of fat, but the accumulation of salt and water.
Low iron levels can lead to hair loss. Iron deficiency can trigger a condition called telogen effluvium, which increases hair shedding and limits hair growth. Iron deficiency hair loss can be reversed if you get your iron levels back to normal. Oral iron supplements can help replenish your body's iron stores.
Several different bacteria affect the skin, producing lesions and hair loss. Staphylococcus bacteria can produce a scarring alopecia (folliculitis decalvans) in middle-aged adults. Staphylococcus infections have also been shown to produce skin lesions and alopecia in sheep,59 horses,29 and dogs.
Hair follicles are part of your skin that are responsible for growing your hair. If you accidentally pull out a strand of your hair and it has a ball (bulb) on the end of it, you didn't pull out the follicle, and instead, you removed your hair root. That root grows back and your hair will grow back, too.