Hair Loss

Hair Loss

What is hair loss?

Hair loss can affect just your scalp or your entire body. It can be the result of heredity, hormonal changes, medical conditions or medications. Anyone can experience hair loss, but it's more common in men.

Baldness typically refers to excessive hair loss from your scalp. Hereditary hair loss with age is the most common cause of baldness. Some people prefer to let their hair loss run its course untreated and unhidden. Others may cover it up with hairstyles, makeup, hats or scarves. And still others choose one of the treatments available to prevent further hair loss and to restore growth.

Before pursuing hair loss treatment, talk with Dr. Rami Abadi about the cause of your hair loss and treatment options.

 

What are the symptoms of hair loss?

Hair loss can appear in many different ways, depending on what's causing it. It can come on suddenly or gradually and affect just your scalp or your whole body. Some types of hair loss are temporary, and others are permanent.

Signs and symptoms of hair loss may include:

  • Gradual thinning on top of head
  • Circular or patchy bald spots
  • Sudden loosening of hair
  • Full-body hair loss
  • Patches of scaling that spread over the scalp

What are the causes of hair loss?

People typically lose about 100 hairs a day. This usually doesn't cause noticeable thinning of scalp hair because new hair is growing in at the same time. Hair loss occurs when this cycle of hair growth and shedding is disrupted or when the hair follicle is destroyed and replaced with scar tissue.

Hair loss is typically related to one or more of the following factors:

  • Family history (heredity)
  • Hormonal changes and medical conditions
  • Medications and supplements
  • Radiation therapy to the head
  • A very stressful event
  • Certain hairstyles and treatments

What are the risk factors of hair loss?

A number of factors can increase your risk of hair loss, including:

  • Family history of balding, in either of your parent's families
  • Age
  • Significant weight loss
  • Certain medical conditions, such as diabetes and lupus
  • Stress