Why Is My Hair Thinning?

So it’s happened, you’ve spotted some extra hairs in your hair brush, or thinning hair in the mirror. You know you’re starting to experience hair loss, and want some answers and recommendations.

While hair loss is a natural process that happens to many men and women as they age, many other causes can happen to anyone at any time. Luckily, our experts at Scalp Evolution know everything there is to know about why your hair might be thinning. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover what exactly it means to have thinning hair, as well as the many different causes associated with it.

What Is Hair Thinning?

Hair thinning is a form of hair loss that can manifest in many different ways, depending on its underlying cause and progression. It can occur suddenly or gradually and may affect specific areas or the entire body. Here are some common signs and symptoms:

• Gradual Thinning Atop The Head: Commonly occurring as people age, men can expect to experience a receding hairline, and women may notice a widening part in their hair.
• Patchy Hair Loss: If you have thinning hair you may notice circular or patchy bald spots on the scalp, beard, or eyebrows. It may be accompanied by itching or discomfort before the hair falls out.
• Abrupt Loose Hair: Physical or emotional stressors can lead to sudden hair loosening. The result is handfuls of hair falling out during combing, washing, or gentle tugging. This type of hair loss is most often temporary and has an external cause.
• Full-Body Hair Loss: Chemotherapy and other medical conditions or treatments can cause hair loss throughout the entire body. In most cases, the hair regrows once the underlying cause is addressed.
• Scaly Patches On Scalp: Scalp scaling accompanied by broken hair, redness, and swelling may indicate a fungal infection like ringworm. In this instance, please seek medical attention for proper diagnosis and treatment.

Common Causes of Hair Loss

Whether you have gradual or sudden hair thinning, there are many reasons why it could be occurring. Various factors, ranging from genetic predispositions to lifestyle choices and medical conditions, all play a role in hair loss. With that in mind, here are common reasons why your hair may be thinning:

Hereditary Hair Loss

Hair loss passed down genetically through the generations, also known as male or female pattern baldness, is one of the most common ailments today. This type of hair loss typically follows a predictable pattern, with hair gradually thinning over time. 

• Male pattern hair loss: the hairline recedes and bald patches may form. It can get worse over time and lead to complete baldness. 
• Female pattern hair loss: often results in overall thinning of the hair and can be mostly commonly seen in the hair’s center part

Though the genetic component of hereditary hair loss is unavoidable, many preventions and treatments are possible. The earlier treatment is started, the more effective, while lack of treatment often leads to continued hair loss.

Aging Hair Loss

Most people lose hair as they get older due to a natural decline in hair growth. Hair follicles may also become individually thinner, resulting in overall hair thinning. While this process is normal and can be unpreventable for both men and women, some treatment options can help restore and rejuvenate your hair.

Alopecia Areata

If you’re experiencing patchy hair loss and bald spots, you may be suffering from alopecia areata. As an unpredictable condition caused by the immune system attacking hair follicles, people with alopecia areata may experience temporary and sudden hair loss around their heads. Luckily, any hair that falls out can grow back over time.

Scarring Alopecia

This unfortunate condition occurs when inflammation damages hair follicles beyond repair. New hair cannot regrow from a destroyed follicle, resulting in permanent hair loss. Treating this condition likely requires scalp micropigmentation or a hair transplant.

Hormonal Changes

Hormone fluctuations and extremes caused by pregnancy, birth control pills, menopause, or thyroid imbalances can contribute to hair thinning. These changes can disrupt the hair growth cycle, leading to increased shedding and thinning.

Physical or Emotional Stress

Physical or emotional stress can trigger a type of hair loss known as telogen effluvium. Common stressors including:

• Giving birth

• Recovering from an illness

• Divorce

• Death of a loved one

• Burnout

And many more. When you’re stressed, this condition causes a premature transition of hair follicles from the growing phase to the resting phase. The result is hair shedding and hair thinning. 

Unfortunately, stress can be difficult to reduce. However, those who manage their stress well see full hair recovery within 6 to 9 months.

Poor Hair Care

Anything from overdoing the hair straightener to dyeing your hair often can lead to hair follicle damage. Here are some common care issues that can lead to hair thinning:

• Heat styling tools

• Chemical treatments

• Tight hairstyles

When these practices are reduced or stopped fully and replaced with healthy hair care practices, hair loss can improve. However, in more severe cases, hair follicles may become too damaged to regrow hair effectively, resulting in permanent bald spots.

Scalp Infection

If you’re experiencing a scaly, itchy, or flaky scalp you may be suffering from a scalp infection. Fungal infections like ringworm can invade your scalp, causing hair loss over time. Fortunately, once the infection clears with treatment, your hair health will be restored.

Medical Treatments

Hair loss can be a common side effect of certain medical treatments, including chemotherapy for cancer and other radiation therapies. These treatments typically result in full hair loss a few weeks after starting treatment, but new hair can typically grow back in remission. 

Similarly, some medications have hair loss as a side effect. If you experience hair loss from a medication, be sure to contact your doctor right away. They will inform you on what to do next, so you can change medications safely or wean off your current medication. Once the issue is resolved, your hair should make a full recovery.

Nutritional Deficiencies

Poor nutrition resulting from deficiencies in essential vitamins and minerals can cause hair loss.  Common deficiencies that are to blame include iron, vitamin D, and biotin, as they can all impair hair growth and lead to increased shedding and thinning. In this instance, improved nutrition will help treat thinning hair.

Addressing Hair Loss

Not sure how to address your current hair loss and prevent future hair loss? Fortunately, there are several steps you can take to support hair health and promote regrowth. Here are some strategies to consider:

• Healthy Lifestyle: Maintaining a balanced diet, exercising regularly, and managing stress levels helps support your overall hair health. 
• Gentle Hair Care: Avoid tight hairstyles and minimize the use of harsh chemicals or heat styling tools that can damage hair follicles.
• Medical Treatments: Your doctor can potentially prescribe hair loss treatments in the form of medications, therapies, and more. 
• Hair Growth Therapies: Consider treatments such as platelet-rich plasma therapy or scalp massages to stimulate hair growth and improve blood flow to the scalp.
• Hair Loss Products: Look for hair loss treatments containing ingredients known to support hair growth, such as minoxidil or finasteride.
• Early Intervention: Seek treatment as soon as you notice signs of hair thinning or loss to prevent further progression and improve outcomes.

Scalp Micropigmentation

If you have permanent hair loss and want to restore your hairline, consider scalp micropigmentation (SMP). SMP (also known as hair tattoo) is a non-surgical treatment that uses micro-needles to deposit pigmentation into your scalp throughout the dermal layer. SMP creates the illusion of a close shaved head or a buzz-cut, fills receding hairline, and covers scar tissue with pigment deposits mimicking the appearance of hair follicles. SMP pigments are designed to match natural hair tones, ensuring a seamless and natural-looking result.

Scalp Evolution Offers Hair Loss Treatment

If you want a bold look that eliminates the look of hair loss and restores your confidence, scalp micropigmentation is the perfect solution. Scalp Evolution offers long-lasting SMP treatments in Miami, Florida, and Manchester, UK.

Whether you struggle with thin hair or pattern baldness, this treatment is a highly effective and professional way to restore scalp coloration. We can work around anything from existing gray hairs to completely shaved hair.

So, if you want a new hairline that works for you, contact us at (305) 988-5338 to schedule a free consultation today!