Why Am I Losing Hair? Conditions That Lead to Hair Loss

At Hair Restoration Centers, we see patients from all across the U.S., and one of the first questions they ask is “What’s causing my hair loss?”

Often, patients experiencing balding have pattern hair loss, which is a hereditary type of hair loss, but it’s not the only culprit.

Hair loss can be caused by a variety of factors.

Here Are The Most Common Conditions That May Result In Hair Thinning Or Balding

Male and Female Pattern Baldness

This type of hair loss is the result of your genes and is also referred to as genetic hair loss. It is the most common type of hair loss, and many individuals are predisposed to this condition.

If your family has a history of baldness, you will likely have it too. Men usually notice a receding hairline and thinning at the crown, while women tend to experience overall thinning or loss in the corners of their hairline.

What we know is that a hormone called dihydrotestosterone (DHT) shrinks the hair follicles, leading to premature hair loss.

Telogen Effluvium

Stressful events like illness, surgery, childbirth, or even severe emotional stress can trigger this condition.

It causes a large number of hair follicles to enter the resting phase too soon and this results in a sudden increase in hair shedding. The good news is, that it’s often temporary, and hair growth usually picks up again once the stressor is resolved.

However, if you experience prolonged thinning, we recommend consulting with one of our board-certified surgeons to determine the underlying cause of your hair loss.

Alopecia Areata

This autoimmune disorder causes patchy hair loss on the scalp and sometimes on other parts of the body.

The immune system mistakenly attacks hair follicles so it’s common to see round or oval bald spots in patients who have this condition. In more serious cases, it can progress to alopecia totalis, which causes complete hair loss on the scalp, or alopecia universalis, which affects hair on the entire body.

Traction Alopecia

With traction hair loss, also known as traction alopecia, the hair follicles are damaged due to constant pulling or tension, often from tight hairstyles like braids, ponytails, or even extensions.

Over time, this repeated strain weakens the follicles, leading to inflammation and eventually causing them to shrink and produce thinner hair.

If the tension continues, the follicles can become permanently damaged. Our board-certified surgeons usually consider nonsurgical treatments as the first course of action, but most likely hair transplantation will be required to restore your hairline permanently.

Scarring Alopecia

Scarring alopecia, also known as cicatricial alopecia, is a group of rare disorders that destroy hair follicles and replace them with scar tissue, leading to permanent hair loss.

It typically presents as patches of hair loss with smooth, shiny skin, and may also be accompanied by symptoms like itching, burning, or pain in the affected areas. The condition can be challenging to diagnose as it often mimics other forms of alopecia in its early stages, but a biopsy is usually required to confirm the diagnosis.

Treatment focuses on halting the progression of the disease and often includes anti-inflammatory medications such as corticosteroids, immunosuppressants, or antimalarials. In cases where inflammation is controlled, hair transplantation might be considered, though it is not always successful due to the underlying scarring.

Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia (FFA)

Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia (FFA) is a type of hair loss that mostly shows up in postmenopausal women, though younger women and even men can sometimes be affected too. You’ll notice it as a slow receding of the hairline, especially around the front and sides, often forming a noticeable band of hair loss.

It’s not just the scalp that’s affected—eyebrows and sometimes even body hair can thin out too. The skin in these areas tends to look pale, smooth, and shiny, and you might also see some redness or scaling. Treating FFA is all about catching it early to slow down the hair loss, with options like topical steroids or medications that calm the immune system.

Central Centrifugal Cicatricial Alopecia (CCCA)

Central Centrifugal Cicatricial Alopecia (CCCA) is a type of hair loss that usually affects Black women, causing thinning or balding that starts at the crown of the head and gradually spreads outward.

It can be frustrating because it’s a form of scarring alopecia, meaning once the hair follicles are damaged, they can’t grow back. But there’s hope! Early treatment with anti-inflammatory medications, like topical steroids or antibiotics, can help stop the progression, and sometimes even save the surrounding hair.

It’s all about catching it early and working closely with one of our hair loss specialists. For individual situations, Scalp Micropigmentation (SMP) may be recommended to camouflage the balding and thinning areas.

Lichen Planopilaris (LPP)

Lichen Planopilaris (LPP) is a rare type of scarring alopecia where the immune system mistakenly attacks the hair follicles, leading to patches of hair loss that can be permanent if not treated early.

You might notice your scalp feeling itchy, painful, or red, with some areas looking smooth and shiny where hair used to be. The good news is, if caught early, treatments like topical steroids or oral medications that suppress the immune response can help stop further hair loss.

It’s all about working with your doctor to find the right treatment plan to keep the condition in check.

Medication-Induced Hair Loss

Certain medications, like chemotherapy drugs used for cancer treatment, can cause significant hair loss. However, other medications, such as blood thinners, antidepressants, and high blood pressure meds, can also contribute to thinning hair.

Nutritional Deficiencies

Not getting enough essential nutrients—especially iron, zinc, and biotin—can take a toll on your hair health. Iron deficiency anemia, in particular, is closely linked to hair loss.

Hormonal Imbalances

Issues with thyroid function (whether overactive or underactive) and conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) can throw off hormone levels and lead to thinning hair.

Certain Medical Conditions

Some medical conditions, such as lupus, psoriasis, and skin infections, can also interfere with hair growth. Hair will naturally grow back when they are treated.

Permanent Solutions for Hair Loss

If you’re experiencing hair loss, don’t panic. While there are numerous non-surgical treatments available that may help manage hair loss temporarily, many individuals with pattern baldness or significant hair thinning find that these approaches don’t provide the permanent results they desire.

For those seeking a definitive solution, hair transplantation offers a permanent way to restore your natural hair. At Hair Restoration Centers, our board-certified surgeons specialize in advanced hair transplantation techniques that deliver natural-looking, lasting results.

Our Surgical Hair Restoration Options

Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT)

Also known as the “strip method,” FUT involves removing a thin strip of scalp from the donor area at the back of the head. Our surgeons then microscopically dissect this strip into individual follicular units, which are transplanted into the recipient sites created by the surgeon.

FUT allows for the collection of a large number of hair follicles in a single session, making it ideal for patients with extensive hair loss. The resulting linear scar can easily be concealed by the surrounding hair, and this technique is often preferred by female patients as it only requires shaving a narrow strip at the back of the head rather than a larger area.

Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE)

FUE is a minimally invasive technique where individual hair follicles are removed one-by-one from the donor area using a small punch tool. The hair is typically clipped down in the safe donor zone at the back and sides of the head to facilitate extraction.

After harvesting the follicles, our surgeons create recipient sites in the balding and thinning areas according to your agreed hair transplant design. Our certified technical team then carefully places those hair grafts at the proper angle, direction, and orientation into the recipient sites.

FUE typically results in minimal scarring and a shorter recovery time compared to FUT, as it doesn’t involve removing a strip of scalp. This makes it particularly appealing for patients who prefer to wear their hair very short.

Who Should Consider Hair Transplantation

Hair transplantation may be right for you if:

• You’re experiencing noticeable hair loss that isn’t responding to other treatments
• You have enough healthy donor hair to use for a transplant
• Your hair loss has stabilized and isn’t rapidly progressing
• You’re looking for a permanent solution
• You’re in general good health
• You have realistic expectations about what the procedure can achieve

What a Personal Consultation at Hair Restoration Centers Looks Like

At Hair Restoration Centers, we take a comprehensive, patient-centered approach to hair restoration. Our board-certified surgeons provide thorough hair loss evaluations and develop personalized care plans tailored to your specific needs and goals.

Our evaluation process includes:

• Detailed medical history: We’ll discuss your hair loss journey, any medications you’re taking, and any medical conditions you might have.
• Physical examination: Our surgeons will carefully examine your scalp to understand the extent of your hair loss and check for any underlying skin issues.
• Photo evaluation: We’ll take detailed photographs to help create and customize both short-term and long-term goals for your hair restoration. These images provide a benchmark to track your progress over time.
• Diagnostic recommendations: We might suggest additional testing to ensure there aren’t any underlying health concerns contributing to your hair loss.

Customized Treatment Plan: Your dedicated hair surgeon will develop a personalized treatment plan utilizing the most advanced surgical techniques to give you the best possible results for your hair restoration journey.

Our Three-Step Approach

Hair Restoration Centers follows a structured three-step approach to ensure the best possible outcome for every patient:

Step 1: Photo Evaluation
Submit your photographs for professional assessment of your hair transplant requirements. Our entire team of professionals will provide support and coaching through the experience.

Step 2: Patient Advisor Consultation
Within 24 hours of submitting your photos, you’ll be contacted by a hair transplant Patient Advisor who will review your images and discuss what will be required to achieve your goals.

Step 3: Surgeon Consultation and Procedure
Your Patient Advisor will schedule an appointment with one of our board-certified hair transplant surgeons, who will review all procedure details with you before performing your surgery.

Every Hair Restoration Story Started with A Consultation

The thousands of patients who have restored their hair and confidence at Hair Restoration Centers started their journey with a consultation. When you choose our practice, you’re choosing a premium hair restoration clinic led by board-certified surgeons who produce natural-looking results.

With over 20 years of experience and more than 100,000 successful hair transplants performed, our surgeons have the expertise to address even the most challenging hair loss cases. Our 27 convenient locations throughout the United States make quality hair restoration accessible no matter where you live.

Contact us today to schedule your consultation and take the first step toward permanent hair restoration.