Common Causes Of Hair Loss

Hair loss can develop for a variety of reasons, and it is most common in men. Individuals who experience hair loss could notice thinning hair in certain areas of the scalp, and this may progress to total hair loss. While hair loss generally occurs on the scalp, some individuals may lose eyelashes or eyebrow hair, and loss of facial hair or body hair could happen as well. Hair loss is sometimes associated with an underlying medical condition, and patients experiencing this symptom should consider seeing their primary care provider for a physical exam. The physician will assess the location and severity of the patient's hair loss, and blood tests may be performed. Some individuals prefer to conceal their hair loss with makeup or clothing such as hats and scarves. Treatment with medicated creams or oral tablets could help patients in regrowing some hair, and hair transplant procedures may be recommended in cases of severe hair loss.

The major causes of hair loss are outlined below.

Genetics And Aging

Male and female patients typically notice some thinning or loss of scalp hair as they age. This typically begins when an individual is in their fifties, and it usually worsens as the patient enters their sixties, seventies, and eighties. Male and female-pattern baldness are two hereditary conditions that create a more pronounced loss of scalp and body hair than what occurs through the typical aging process. Both of these conditions are linked to certain genetic factors. While previous research attributed hair loss to changes in a single gene, scientists now know the process is influenced by multiple genes, many of which come from the patient's mother. The genes that determine hair type and texture vary from population to population. Patients who have a first-degree relative with a potentially hereditary hair loss condition may want to consider starting medications for hair regrowth early, and they may also wish to find out more about potential surgical hair replacement options.

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