Hair Loss: Causes, Treatments, and What You Can Do Today
Hair loss is frustrating, but not always permanent. Some people lose hair from stress or diet, others from genetics or hormones. The good news: you don’t have to guess. This page gives clear, practical steps to figure out what’s happening and what usually works.
Common causes you should consider
Start by checking these four things: genetics, hormones, medication, and lifestyle. Male- and female-pattern baldness (androgenetic alopecia) runs in families and usually shows as thinning at the crown or a widening part. Hormone problems—like thyroid issues or high androgens—can cause diffuse shedding. Certain meds (some blood pressure drugs, antidepressants, chemotherapy) also trigger hair loss. Major illness, crash diets, or severe stress can cause telogen effluvium, which is often temporary.
Want a quick test? Look at shedding pattern: patchy loss often means alopecia areata; overall thinning points to hormones or genetics. Sudden heavy shedding after a fever, surgery, or new diet often means telogen effluvium and may recover in months.
Treatments that actually help
Minoxidil (topical) is the easiest first step. It works for many kinds of thinning and is sold over the counter for men and women. Expect 3–6 months to see results and keep using it to maintain gains. If you stop, hair usually falls back.
Finasteride is an oral option for men. It blocks DHT, the hormone that shrinks hair follicles. It works well for many men but can have sexual side effects. Talk to a doctor before starting.
For women with hormonal hair loss, low-dose spironolactone or oral contraceptives may help by lowering androgen effects. Some scalp conditions respond to short steroid injections or topical steroids—ask a dermatologist if you see patchy loss or inflammation.
If hair thinning is linked to inflammation or scalp disease, treating that first is the priority. Procedures like PRP (platelet-rich plasma) and microneedling show promise for some people but expect variable results and costs.
Lifestyle, supplements, and when to see a doctor
Improve diet first: get enough protein, iron, vitamin D, and zinc. Biotin helps only if you’re deficient. Supplements that support hormones—like indole-3-carbinol (I3C)—appear in recent discussions about hormone balance, but check interactions with meds and ask a doctor. Avoid tight hairstyles, harsh dyes, and frequent heat styling.
Be cautious buying prescription meds online. Read guides on safe pharmacies and prescriptions before ordering. If you notice rapid loss, bald patches, itching, burning, or if over-the-counter options don’t help after 6 months, see a dermatologist. They can run blood tests, scalp exams, and suggest treatments that fit your situation.
Pick small steps: get blood work, try minoxidil if suitable, fix your diet, and see a specialist if progress stalls. Hair regrowth takes time, but clear steps usually lead to clearer answers and better results.
