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Significant hair loss can happen at any age, and becomes more likely as people get older. In general, more men suffer from dramatic hair loss and baldness than women. That said, hair loss can be a stressful and emotionally distressing experience for both males and females.
It’s good to know that there are proven and effective ways to stop hair loss and boost hair growth. To help you better understand what causes hair loss as we age, let’s cover what causes hair loss for men and for women, along with popular hair loss treatments.
Here is a list of what causes hair loss typically. Causes of hair loss for both men and women may include one or a combination of the following:
- Hereditary condition
- Aging
- Hormonal changes
- Severe stress
- Diet
- Vitamin deficiency
- Medications
- Medical conditions
- Hairstyles and hair treatments
As hair loss experts, we must stress that there are excellent hair loss treatments available for both males and females to rejuvenate, regrow, and repair hair loss.
At Este Medical Group we also advise our hair care clients on lifestyle and behavioral changes they can make to improve hair growth and long-term hair and scalp health. We pride ourselves on the aftercare plans we customize for all our clients.
What Causes Hair Loss In Men?
When men lose their hair it can take on various different forms, such as shedding, thinning, patchiness, receding hairline, and bald patches for example. As men age they tend to experience a steady decline in hair volume.
The number one cause of hair loss is male pattern baldness. Also known as androgenetic alopecia, male pattern baldness is a hereditary condition. Most men experiencing male pattern hair loss will eventually become bald.
For males a change in hormone balance can cause hair loss to start. Specifically dihydrotestosterone (a derivative of testosterone) in an excessive amount can affect the hair follicles by shrinking and shortening hair, which makes it easier to fall out.
Hair loss in men can range from mild to extreme cases. It is helpful to know that not all hair loss looks the same. Here are some common types of hair loss men experience:
- Male pattern baldness
- Receding hairline
- General thinning
- Thinning crown
If you are unsure what type of male hair loss you are experiencing, an Este Medical Group hair care consultant can help you with a diagnosis. Book an Este Medical hair loss appointment to determine the most appropriate hair treatment for you.
What Causes Hair Loss in Women?
When women lose their hair it can be exceptionally stressful and embarrassing. It is much harder for women to explain hair loss and conceal it. Unfortunately, more than 50% of females will experience significant and visible hair loss in their lifetime.
The most common type of hair loss in females is the fault of female pattern hair loss (also known as androgenetic alopecia). Female pattern hair loss usually starts along the center hair part with visible thinning, and over time the scalp becomes more visible because of less hair volume. This type of baldness rarely starts in women young; onset tends to be associated with hormonal changes in menopause, so women in midlife (40s, 50s) are most impacted by this type of female hair loss.
As women age, hormone levels play a role in hair loss during menopause as estrogen and progesterone levels drop. As a result, hair becomes finer and thinner as follicles shrink, hair grows more slowly and falls out more frequently.
Another hormone related type of hair loss females can experience is polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). This disorder can cause hair thinning and hair loss. Some females experiencing PCOS produce higher levels of androgens (e.g., dihydrotestosterone); this hormone imbalance affects hair follicles by shrinking and shortening the hair, which makes it easier to fall out as well as hard to regrow.
Hair loss in women is usually not as severe as it is for men; women rarely go completely bald like men. Common signs of female hair loss include:
- Thinning hair on top of head
- Thinning hair that spreads from center hair part
- Excessive hair loss, clumps of hair falling out
- Scalp becoming more visible
- Patches of hair missing
If you have concerns, or are actually experiencing changes that match with one of the types of hair loss mentioned above, then we advise you to book a consultation with an Este Medical Group hair loss consultant.
What Medical Conditions Cause Hair Loss For Males & Females?
There are several medical conditions that can cause hair loss, or affect hair growth. One condition that gets a lot of media attention is alopecia.
Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disorder (e.g., related to the immune system) that causes patchy hair loss and bald spots that can increase in size. This condition causes cells in the immune system to surround and attack hair follicles. Hair growth treatments are available to help with this type of hair loss.
Other medical conditions connected with male/female hair loss and hair growth issues include:
- Thyroid disorders
- Anemia
- Autoimmune diseases
- Psoriasis and/or dermatitis
- Lupus
- Crohn's Disease
Excessive hair thinning and clumps of hair falling out should be something you flag with your family doctor. If you would like to speak to someone about your hair care issues we invite you to book a hair loss consultation through our Este website.
What Medications Cause Hair Loss?
It is rare that medications cause hair to fall out, but there are some medications that are linked to hair loss side effects, and it is worth listing them for your consideration.
- Oral birth control
- Beta-blockers
- Antidepressants
- Blood thinners
- Cholesterol-lowering drugs
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
- Thyroid drugs
- Steroids
- Cancer treatment
If you are taking any of this medication and experiencing hair loss you should speak to your doctor or medical specialist.
Popular & Proven Treatment For Hair Loss
We know now that hair loss causes are many, and they affect both males and females. The good news is that advances in hair loss therapy, technology and hair transplants means retaining your hair, regrowing it, and replacing lost hair is totally possible.
Here is how to stop hair loss with Este Medical Group treatments!
Este Medical has many hair loss treatments available, both surgical and non-surgical. The following hair loss treatments are for both men and women who are looking to restore their hair, their looks, and their self-confidence.
FUE Hair Transplant for Men
FUE Hair Transplant for Women
Our Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) hair transplant is Este Medical’s most popular hair loss treatment. In just five months clients experience visible hair growth (i.e., on average 50% hair growth). And within a year most transplant recipients will experience up to 100% hair growth.
A FUE hair loss treatment restores hair by replacing old follicles with new follicles that are still able to grow hair. It is a successful treatment for extreme hair loss.
PRP and Mesotherapy for Hair Loss
This microinjection treatment targets the mesoderm, below the scalp's surface, to halt hair loss and stimulate hair regrowth. Mesotherapy treats both the scalp, with its abundance of hair follicles, as well as existing hair on the head. PRP combined with mesotherapy stimulates inactive hair bulbs, nourishes hair follicles, and promotes new hair growth. Mesotherapy is an efficient therapy for slowing hair loss and treating alopecia.
Laser Hair Regrowth Therapy
This regrowth treatment is best for treating general thinning and pattern baldness. Laser therapy stimulates hair follicles and their natural growth cycle. This treatment has a 95% success rate, and you can see results in about four months. This is an excellent treatment to replenish the scalp with new hair growth.
