Hair Loss

Feb. 26, 2026 | You probably didn’t even think twice about it when you were brushing your hair this morning, that small ball of hair left behind in the brush. The average person loses 50 to 100 hairs a day, not a whole lot when you consider that new hair is growing at the same time. Hair loss occurs when new hair doesn’t replace the hair that has fallen out. Hair loss can affect just your scalp or your entire body, and it can be temporary or permanent. 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 or restore growth. Before pursuing hair loss treatment, talk with your doctor about the cause of your hair loss and treatment options.

Feb. 26, 2026 | Hair loss can appear in many different ways, depending on exactly what’s causing it. It can come on suddenly or gradually and it can affect just your scalp or your whole body. Gradual thinning on the top of head is the most common type of hair loss, affecting people as they age. In men, hair often begins to recede at the hairline on the forehead. Women typically have a broadening of the part in their hair. An increasingly common hair loss pattern in older women is a receding hairline, known clinically as frontal fibrosing alopecia. Some people may lose hair in circular or patchy bald spots on the scalp, the beard or their eyebrows. Your skin may become itchy or painful before the hair falls out. A physical or emotional shock can also cause hair to loosen. Handfuls of hair may come out when combing or washing your hair or even after gentle tugging. This type of hair loss usually causes overall hair thinning but it is only temporary.

Feb. 26, 2026 | There are a number of reasons why a man or woman or even a child can suffer from hair loss. The most common cause of hair loss is a hereditary condition that happens with aging. This condition, androgenic alopecia, or male-pattern baldness and female-pattern baldness, usually occurs gradually and in predictable patterns, a receding hairline and bald spots in men and thinning hair along the crown of the scalp in women. A variety of medical conditions can cause permanent or temporary hair loss, including hormonal changes due to pregnancy, childbirth, menopause and thyroid problems. Hair loss can be a side effect of certain drugs, such as those used for cancer, arthritis and high blood pressure. Excessive hairstyling or hairstyles that pull your hair tight, such as pigtails or cornrows, can cause a type of hair loss called traction alopecia. Hot-oil hair treatments and permanents can also cause hair to fall out.

Feb. 26, 2026 | Have you noticed an increase in your stress level AND your hair loss? There are three types of hair loss related to high stress levels. In telogen effluvium, significant stress pushes large numbers of hair follicles into a resting phase. Within a few months, affected hairs might fall out suddenly when simply combing or washing your hair. Trichotillomania is an irresistible urge to pull out hair from your scalp, eyebrows or other areas of your body. Hair pulling can be a way of dealing with negative feelings like stress, loneliness or frustration. A variety of factors are thought to cause alopecia areata, including severe stress. With alopecia areata, the body’s immune system attacks the hair follicles, causing hair loss. If you notice sudden or patchy hair loss or more than usual hair loss when combing or washing your hair, talk to your doctor. Sudden hair loss can signal an underlying medical condition that requires treatment.

Feb. 26, 2026 | Most baldness caused by genetics, whether it’s male-pattern baldness or female-pattern baldness, is not preventable. However, there are certain things you can do to avoid preventable types of hair loss. First, be gentle with your hair. Use a detangler and avoid tugging when brushing and combing, especially when your hair is wet. A wide-toothed comb might help prevent pulling out hair. Avoid harsh treatments such as hot rollers, curling irons, hot-oil treatments and permanents. And limit the tension on hair from styles that use rubber bands, barrettes and braids. Second, ask your doctor about medications and supplements you take that might cause hair loss. It’s also a good idea to protect your hair from sunlight and other sources of ultraviolet light. Consider wearing a cap or head covering when you go outdoors. And if you smoke, stop. Some studies show an association between smoking and baldness in men.