Top Causes of Alopecia and How They Impact Hair Loss

Are you experiencing unexpected hair loss and wondering what might be causing it? Hair loss, medically known as alopecia, can be distressing and affect millions worldwide. While the term “alopecia” is often used broadly, it encompasses a variety of conditions causing abnormal shedding patterns. Understanding the underlying cause of your specific alopecia type is crucial for effective treatment and achieving optimal hair regrowth. This detailed guide will explore the top causes of alopecia, including stress-related alopecia, and how they impact your hair growth cycle and contribute to hair loss. Let’s uncover the reasons behind your hair thinning and discuss effective treatment strategies for alopecia.

What is alopecia?

Alopecia refers to hair loss from the scalp or other body parts. It can be temporary or permanent, affecting individuals differently. The most common form of alopecia is androgenetic alopecia, but various other types exist, each with distinct causes and characteristics.

Types of Alopecia

• Androgenetic Alopecia: Also known as male or female pattern baldness, it is the most common form and is influenced by genetics and hormones.
• Alopecia Areata: An autoimmune disorder that causes patchy hair loss.
• Telogen Effluvium: Telogen effluvium is a temporary condition that can be brought on by stress, illness, or hormonal shifts.
• Traction Alopecia: Causes by prolonged tension on the hair due to certain hair styles.
• Scarring Alopecia: Results from inflammatory skin conditions that destroy hair follicles.

Must Read: Hair Loss Due to Stress: Causes, Symptoms, and Effective Treatments

Understanding the hair growth cycle

Before discussing the specific causes of alopecia, it is important to understand the natural hair growth cycle. Hair follicles, the miniaturised plants embedded within the scalp, are responsible for hair production. The hair growth goes through three distinct stages:

• Anagen (growth phase): This is the active growth phase, lasting from 2–7 years. During this phase, the hair follicles actively produce new hair cells, resulting in visible hair growth on the scalp.
• Catagen (Transition Phase): This short phase, lasting approximately 2 weeks, marks the transition from active growth to the resting phase. Hair follicle activity slows down, and the hair strands are detached from the blood supply.
• Telogen (resting phase): This is the last phase of the hair growth cycle that lasts 3 months, during which the hair remains attached to the scalp but is no longer actively growing.
• Exogen phase: The shedding phase, where the hair sheds naturally and the follicle enters the anagen phase again, restarting the cycle.

In alopecia, the anagen phase is often shortened and the telogen phase is prolonged, leading to increased shedding and thinning of the hair.

Top causes of alopecia: What you need to know

Genetic Factors

Genetics plays a significant role in determining your likelihood of developing alopecia. Androgenetic alopecia, for example, is inherited and can affect both men and women. This type of alopecia is characterised by a gradual thinning of hair, typically starting at the temples and crown in men, and a general thinning over the entire scalp in women.

The primary mechanism involves the miniaturisation of hair follicles, influenced by androgens (male hormones). The hair growth cycle is shortened, and the hair produced becomes progressively thinner until it eventually stops growing.

Hormonal Changes

Hormonal fluctuations can significantly impact hair growth and lead to various forms of alopecia. Conditions such as pregnancy, menopause, thyroid disorders, and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) can disrupt hormonal balance and trigger hair loss.

In androgenetic alopecia, dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a derivative of testosterone, binds to hair follicles and causes them to shrink. This process shortens the hair growth phase (anagen phase) and prolongs the resting phase (telogen phase), resulting in thinning hair.

Alopecia Due to Stress

Stress is a well-known trigger for hair loss, leading to conditions such as telogen effluvium and alopecia areata. Both physical and emotional stress can disrupt the hair growth cycle, causing a significant number of hair follicles to enter the resting phase prematurely.

Telogen Effluvium

Telogen effluvium is characterised by the diffuse thinning of hair across the scalp. It typically occurs a few months after a stressful event, such as surgery, a severe illness, or psychological stress. The good news is that this condition is usually reversible once the underlying stressor is addressed.

Alopecia Areata and Stress

Alopecia areata is an autoimmune condition that causes the body’s defence system to mistakenly attack hair follicles, resulting in patches of hair loss. While the exact cause is not fully understood, stress is believed to be a contributing factor in triggering or exacerbating this condition.

Autoimmune Disorders

Autoimmune diseases can cause the body’s immune system to mistakenly attack its tissues, including hair follicles. Conditions such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and scleroderma can lead to various forms of alopecia.

Alopecia Areata

As previously mentioned, alopecia areata is a common autoimmune disorder resulting in patchy hair loss. In severe cases, it can progress to alopecia totalis (total scalp hair loss) or alopecia universalis (total body hair loss).

Nutritional Deficiencies

Nurturing your body with a balanced diet provides the key nutrients for strong, healthy strands. Deficiencies in vitamins and minerals, such as iron, vitamin D, zinc, and biotin, can lead to hair loss. Malnutrition or restrictive diets lacking in these nutrients can weaken hair structure and impede growth.

Iron Deficiency Anemia

Hair loss can be a sign of iron deficiency, especially for women. Iron is crucial for producing haemoglobin, which carries oxygen to hair follicles. Without adequate iron, hair follicles become deprived of oxygen, leading to hair shedding.

Medical Treatments and Medications

Certain medical treatments and medications can cause alopecia as a side effect. Chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and drugs used to treat arthritis, depression, heart problems, and high blood pressure can all contribute to hair loss.

Chemotherapy-Induced Alopecia

Chemotherapy targets rapidly dividing cells, including hair follicle cells. This leads to hair thinning or complete loss during treatment. While hair usually regrows after chemotherapy ends, the texture and color may change.

Scalp Infections and Skin Disorders

Scalp infections, such as ringworm, and skin disorders, like psoriasis and seborrhoeic dermatitis, can cause inflammation and damage to hair follicles, leading to hair loss.

Fungal Infections

Ringworm of the scalp (tinea capitis) is a fungal infection that can cause patchy hair loss, scaling, and inflammation. It is most common in children and can be treated with antifungal medications.

Traction Alopecia

Traction alopecia results from prolonged tension on the hair, often due to tight hairstyles such as braids, ponytails, or hair extensions. This constant pulling can damage hair follicles and lead to permanent hair loss if not addressed early.

Must Read: 10 Common Causes of Hair Loss in Women and How to Address Them

Diagnosis and Treatment of Alopecia Hair Loss

Understanding the specific cause of your alopecia is crucial for determining the most effective treatment approach. A board-certified dermatologist at Evenly can perform a thorough evaluation, including a scalp examination, medical history review, and potentially blood tests if needed to diagnose the type of alopecia you may have.

At Evenly Skin and Hair Clinic, we offer advanced treatments tailored to your specific type of alopecia. Here are a few treatments offered:

PRP Treatment:

It is a non-invasive treatment that utilises your own blood to stimulate hair growth. Here is a step-by-step procedure for PRP:

• A small amount of blood is extracted from the arm.
• After collection, the blood goes into a centrifuge. This machine spins very fast, causing the components to separate based on weight. Platelets are rich in growth factors, proteins that play a crucial role in cell regeneration and tissue repair.
• The concentrated, platelet-rich plasma is then injected directly into the scalp, targeting areas of thinning hair.

GFC Treatment:

Similar to PRP, it is a non-invasive hair restoration treatment that uses your blood.

• The first step involves drawing a small amount of blood from your arm.
• The collected blood is then placed in a special centrifuge. GFC utilises a more advanced processing technique to extract a higher concentration of growth factors from your blood compared to PRP.
• And then injected into the scalp to restore the hair.
• With its high concentration of growth factors, GFC leads to faster and more noticeable hair regrowth compared to PRP.

Intralesional injections

Intralesional injections involve injecting medication directly into the scalp to treat hair loss. This approach is particularly effective for conditions like alopecia areata. The process includes:

• Administering corticosteroids or other medications into the scalp using a fine needle.
• The medication reduces inflammation and the immune response, encouraging hair regrowth in the treated areas.

Oral and topical medications

Depending on the type of alopecia, our dermatologists at Evenly Clinic may prescribe oral and topical medications. These treatments are tailored to address the underlying cause of hair loss and promote hair regrowth. Some of the common medications include:

Oral medications:

• Finasteride: Reduces DHT levels to treat androgenetic alopecia in men.
• Spironolactone: It is an anti-androgen used to treat female pattern hair loss.
• Biotin supplements: It support hair health and growth.

Topical medications:

• Minoxidil: Minoxidil helps hair grow by extending the anagen phase, which is the hair’s growth period.
• Corticosteroid Creams: Corticosteroid creams can alleviate inflammation caused by alopecia areata, an autoimmune condition that leads to hair loss.
• Ketoconazole Shampoo: Treats fungal infections and reduces inflammation on the scalp.

Before and after results of alopecia treatment at Evenly

Check out the before and after images of our client that show the visible improvement in the hair after alopecia treatment at Evenly.

Preventive Tips for Alopecia

Preventing alopecia involves adopting healthy habits and addressing risk factors early. Here are some effective hair care practices that help maintain healthy hair:

• Avoid excessive sun exposure and use protective measures such as hats and sunscreen to prevent scalp damage.
• Practice stress-reducing techniques such as yoga, meditation, and regular exercise to maintain hormonal balance and overall well-being.
• Nourish your hair from the inside out with a well-rounded diet rich in vitamins and minerals. Include foods high in iron, zinc, vitamin D, biotin, and antioxidants.
• Give your hair a break from harsh chemicals and heat styling to keep it healthy and strong.  Use gentle shampoos and conditioners, and opt for loose hairstyles to prevent traction alopecia.
• Maintain a healthy scalp by regularly washing it with a gentle shampoo. Consider using medicated shampoos if you have conditions like dandruff or seborrhoeic dermatitis.

No matter which alopecia you are struggling with, alopecia can be a challenging condition. By understanding its causes and exploring effective treatments, you can make a significant difference in managing hair loss. Whether you are dealing with stress-related hair loss, genetic alopecia, or any other form of hair thinning, we are here to support you every step of the way.

Schedule a consultation with us today and reclaim your beautiful hair!!

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Frequently Asked Questions

We hope this information is helpful. If you have any skin and hair-related questions or would like to discuss personalized solutions, please reach out to us at 7337899030. Our team of specialists is committed to delivering personalized care tailored to your specific needs. Take the first step towards a healthier, more confident you by scheduling a consultation with us today. Your journey to vibrant skin and stronger hair begins here.