Causes of Hair Loss


This hair loss question was answered by Dr. Scott Alexander of Phoenix, Arizona who is a member of the Coalition of Independent Hair Restoration Physicians.  His professional answer is below.

The question I have is regarding the general health of and its effect on hair.  It’s obvious that a good supply of oxygen in the bloodstream is needed, but could someone who has occasional breathing difficulties which causes a sudden lack of oxygen affect hair growth or hair loss?

Dr. TrueIf you have occasional breathing difficulties, this obviously should be checked out by your doctor to find out exactly what is causing this problem. As for hair growth, if you remain conscious, you are getting enough oxygen to keep your hair alive. This is not the cause of any hair loss that you may have.

 

 

 

Bill Seemiller – aka Falceros
Associate Publisher/Editor

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Every week, hundreds of hair loss questions are answered on our hair restoration forum and received in our inbox. Below, we’ve collected some of these hot topic questions of the week and posted responses by veteran hair transplant patients and leading hair restoration physicians.

You can also ask your own questions and get answers on our hair forum or privately by using the contact page.

Which “All Natural” Treatments Are Most Effective?

Do Higher Hair Transplant Densities Affect Hair Growth Survival? (Dr. Beehner)

How an Underactive Thyroid Can Contribute to Female Hair Loss

Is it ok to take Finasteride and Dutasteride Simultaneously to Treat Baldness?

Contradictory Reports: Does Nioxin Cause or Stop Balding?

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Today, balding men and women have several viable options to treat their hair loss. Below, we share the latest and greatest information about the causes of hair loss and the benefits, limitations, and risks associated with today’s hair restoration solutions.

You can also ask your own questions and get answers on our hair restoration forum or privately by using the “contact us” form.

Can Low Iron Levels Cause Hair Loss? (Dr. Steven Gabel)

Why Pimples Form on the Scalp After Hair Transplant Surgery (Dr. Robert True)

Why Going Bald Today Isn’t the Only Choice

Is it Ok to Use Propecia While Trying to Conceive?

How to Fix an Old Stretched Hair Transplant Scar

Bill Seemiller – aka Falceros
Associate Publisher/Editor

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Certain medication can cause temporary or even permanent diffuse hair loss, a type of balding distinct from genetic pattern baldness.

Though providing a list of all medication that has reported hair loss as a possible side effect is virtually impossible, anyone considering taking medication for any reason should become fully aware of the potential side effects before taking it.

Learning about your medication should include consulting with your doctor and researching it online.

Join this hair restoration discussion to discuss how and which medication has been known to cause hair loss. Your experience and/or input may just help others save their own hair. Remember, information is power.

Bill Seemiller – aka Falceros
Associate Publisher/Editor

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Differentiating what really works to treat hair loss from the hype isn’t easy. Thankfully, leading hair restoration physicians and veteran hair transplant patients regularly offer their experiences on what works to treat baldness.

Below you will find answers to 5 of t his week’s top topic hair loss related questions provided by balding men and women and physician experts. You can also ask your own questions and get answers on our hair restoration forum or privately by using our contact form. 

Should I Stay on Propecia If I Experience Side Effects? (Dr. Steven Gabel)

Can a Hair Transplant be Spotted? (Dr. Timothy Carman)

Tips on Discovering the Cause of Your Hair Loss

Can Men have a Female Hair Loss Pattern?

Buying Legitimate Generic Hair Loss Medication Online?

Bill Seemiller – aka Falceros
Associate Publisher/Editor

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This insightful information was posted on our hair restoration forum by Dr. Timothy Carman of La Jolla, CA, who is recommended on the Hair Transplant Network.

Recently, I lost about 40 pounds of muscle and fat due to a crash diet.  I know they’re not good, but I was very overweight and was tired of being laughed at.  A few months after my diet, I started noticing hair loss, including brittle hair on my legs and scalp especially around the nape.  I went to a doctor but am still waiting for the blood test results.

During the crash diet, I severely limited my caloric intake and didn’t eat much if any protein.  Also, afterwards, i had two intestinal infections and thinning hair.  I don’t know if my hair los has anything to do with the crash diet or infections.  I am very worried about my hair, please help.

What you are describing is classic for symptoms of telogen effluvium - which refers to a temporary hair shedding related to some type of “stressor” – in your case, caloric restriction or “crash diet”. 

The natural hair growth cycle as it relates to this, and as observed when we perform hair transplants, is that, after the “stressor”, the follicles goes into a resting phase that lasts three months. Also, this “three month window” is also a pertinent time line one sees for the onset of the shedding period as well.  Hence, what we do to our system to “stress” it begins to show up in three months. Conversely, when we “correct” or remove the stressor (in your case resume normal eating patterns, sleep, etc.) it will take another three months to begin to see the hair regrowth of that change.  As hair grows slowly (about 1 cm/month) it takes additional months to really appreciate a change for the better.

My dermatologist couldn’t answer this question and I couldn’t find an explanation on the internet.  If DHT is the main culprit of hair loss, then why doesn’t Propecia protect minoxidil dependent hair upon stopping minoxidil regardless of its different mechanism of action.  If Propecia is reducing DHT, then why would stopping minoxidil cause hair loss?

I’d suggest that it’s possible for Propecia to maintain hair regrowth from minoxidil.  

 

Remember that Propecia only really inhibits about 60% of DHT, leaving 40% to attack hair follicles.  Minoxidil adds extra stimulation to your hair causing hair regrowth.  Removing it from the equation will lessen your chance of keeping some of this hair.

 

I suppose the phrase “minoxidil dependent” should be explained a bit further.  Healthy hair not affected by DHT won’t become dependent on minoxidil.  Only miniaturizing hair that’s been successfully sustained or rejuvenated by minoxidil is.  If a patient uses minoxidil only, most likely these hairs would fall out upon stopping its use.  However, if Propecia is added to the hair loss regime later, some of these hairs may survive due to Propecia successfully inhibiting DHT. 

 

Unfortunately, there’s really no way to know for sure what hair you’ll keep and which you’ll lose if you stop minoxidil.

 

I hope this helps explain things further.

 

Bill – aka Falceros
Associate Publisher/Editor

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Before recommending a treatment, balding men and women must discover what’s causing their hair loss. In most cases, hair loss is due to genetics, causing hair to be vulnerable to the male hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Though DHT is more prominent in men, it’s also found in women and still the number 1 cause of baldness in the world. However, other conditions can contribute to or even cause non-genetic hair loss.

Due to promotional propaganda and misinformation spread through the internet, differentiating fact from fiction can be difficult. Below, we expose the legends and distinguish what can and cannot contribute to or cause thinning hair.

Stress Causes Hair Loss: If you ask just about everyone, most would tell you that stress can cause you to go bald. Read this article to learn whether or not there is any truth to this highly popular belief.

Daily Hair Washing and Hair Loss: Due to the amount of hair men and women find in the shower, some have conjectured that daily washing can cause your hair to thin. Learn if there is any truth to this concern.

Accutane Acne Treatment and Baldness: Learn why Accutane treatment for acne might be detrimental to your hair.

Hair Pulling, Styling, and Hair Loss: Not everyone pulls their own hair out. However, excessive hair pulling or styling can be the cause of isolated balding. Learn why and whether or not this is temporary or permanent.

Differentiating what really works to treat hair loss and alopecia from the hype isn’t easy. Thankfully, leading hair restoration physicians and veteran hair transplant patients regularly offer their experiences on what works to treat baldness.

Below you will find answers to 5 of this week’s top topic hair loss related questions provided by real balding men and women and physician experts. You can also ask your own questions and get answers on our hair restoration forum or privately by contacting us.

Do Split Ends Cause Male or Female Hair Loss?

Why Transplanted Hair Can Seem Wispy and Lifeless at First (Dr. Carman)

Properly Preparing for Hair Restoration

Alternative DHT Blockers to Propecia – Are They Effective?

Applying Rogaine over Topical Concealers like Dermmatch

Additionally, these questions and more are answered daily on our news and blog sites including the Hair Loss Q&A Blog, the Hair Transplant Network, and the Hair Loss Learning Center.

Bill – aka Falceros
Associate Publisher/Editor

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With all the new hair loss products regularly marketed in the media, it’s vital to be able to differentiate what really works from the hype.

Our educational and supportive hair loss resource and community is interested in keeping you up to speed with the latest and greatest discoveries that can really help you deal with baldness and restore your hair.

Below you will find answers to 5 of this week’s top topic questions provided by educated patients and expert physicians. You can also ask your own questions and get answers on our hair restoration forum or do a free online consult with one of our physicians.

Increasing Hair Transplant Graft Survival and Postoperative Healing Time (Dr. Cooley)

Does Daily Protein Intake and Weight Loss Cause Hair Loss? (Dr. Ross)

How Much Hair Shedding is Normal on a Daily Basis? (Dr. Beehner)

Why Xandrox Might Cause Unwanted Body Hair Growth in Women

Is Treating Hair Loss with Laser Therapy worth $6000?

Bill – aka Falceros
Associate Publisher/Editor

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