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If you’re losing hair, at least you’re not alone.
Hair loss, or alopecia, affects more than 80 percent of men and 50 percent of women, and the risk increases with age.
Hair loss and hair thinning can be temporary or permanent. It’s usually genetic, but it can also be triggered by diseases or disorders that attack the hair follicles.
While alopecia doesn’t typically affect your physical health, the emotional and psychological distress it can cause are very real.
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Here, dermatologists share what you need to know about alopecia, including possible causes, treatment options and what you can do to prevent more hair loss.
What are common causes of hair loss?
You can lose your hair for many different reasons.
Temporary hair loss called telogen effluvian can be caused by a serious illness such as COVID-19, severe emotional distress or significant weight loss. In those cases, hair usually grows back in three to six months. See: Can COVID-19 cause you to lose your hair?
Alopecia is the medical term for longer-term hair loss that typically won’t grow back on its own.
The most common cause of alopecia is an inherited condition called male- or female-pattern hair loss.
Also known as androgenetic alopecia, it happens when a change in hormone levels causes hair follicles to shrink and eventually stop growing hair, says Paradi Mirmirani, a dermatologist in northern California and a fellow at the American Academy of Dermatology who specializes in hair disorders.
Male-pattern hair loss is what causes a receding hairline and baldness in men. In women, female-pattern hair loss typically affects the crown or top of the head first, Mirmirani says. Women may notice that their part is becoming wider or that their scalp is more visible.
Other conditions that cause hair loss
It’s important to see a dermatologist if you are experiencing hair loss to determine what’s causing it.
In addition to male- and female-pattern hair loss, alopecia can also be triggered by a variety of factors, including thyroid problems, iron deficiency, medication side effects and a fungus called ringworm. It can also be a sign of a different underlying condition. For more, see: 8 Reasons Women Lose Their Hair.
“As soon as you notice hair loss is happening, you should come in,” says Lauren Eckert Ploch, a dermatologist in Aiken, South Carolina.
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