20
Oct
2015
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Find Out Why You Could be Losing Your Hair

Most of the time hair loss happens because our genetics predetermine when we will start to lose our hair.

But what if there is a more serious reason for why you’re losing your hair?

Losing hair is upsetting enough, but when we don’t know the reason behind it, it can become even more unnerving.

While hair loss can happen for a number of different reasons, it’s important to know if it is happening because of a medical condition. Knowing this will allow you to not only just take care of your hair, but your body and overall health as well.

Hair loss can be your body’s way of telling you that something is not right, and that there are other issues that need to be addressed. If hair follicles are uniform in size, or if the hair loss is sudden, it is most likely caused by something other than hereditary hair loss.

(To see if your hair follicles are uniform, ask your doctor to take a closer look at your scalp under magnification.)

Seeing a doctor is going to be your best offense and defense to figuring out what your body is trying to tell you, and for taking care of the issue.

If you’re dealing with sudden hair loss, or think something else may be the culprit as to why you’re losing your hair, we want to help you understand possible reasons for what’s going on. A woman’s medical condition related to hair loss can be entirely different than a man’s medical condition, so it’s important to know the different conditions that could be affecting men and women, or both.

Let’s take a look below at possible medical-related causes for hair loss in both men and women…

Medical Conditions that Cause Hair Loss in Men

Treating hair loss is a serious issue, and it is even more important to understand men’s medical conditions that could cause hair loss.

Thyroid Disease
Hair loss can be an unfortunate side effect of a thyroid disorder. Thyroid problems happen from either an underactive thyroid gland (hypothyroidism) or an overactive thyroid gland (hyperthyroidism). Since hair growth depends on the proper functioning of the thyroid gland, abnormal levels of the thyroid hormone can result in hair changes. If you begin to experience changes in mood, weight, or your hair starts to become fine or thin, you may want to see a doctor so that they can check your thyroid hormone levels.

Alopecia
If your hair is falling out in clumps, you may have a disorder known as alopecia areata. Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disease that occurs when your immune system mistakenly attacks your own hair follicles. The area of hair loss is usually smooth and round, and you may notice that your hair is falling out in patches. Luckily, new hair usually grows back in a few months, but it is best to consult with a doctor on treatment that may help the hair grow back faster.

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Scalp Infections
There are a number of infectious agents and conditions that can contribute to hair loss, but the most common one is ringworm. Ringworm is a fungal infection that can occur anywhere on the body, but if it develops on the scalp, it can cause patches of hair loss. It typically begins as a small pimple that progressively expands in size, and eventually latches on to hair follicles. These hair follicles then become weak and brittle, causing them to break off and leave behind bald patches of skin. Sometimes the infection will go away on its own with no treatment, but normally an anti-fungal is used. If you notice any scaly patches of skin around your hair, it would be best to consult with a doctor about what could be happening.

Cancer Treatment
As you’re likely aware, different chemotherapy drugs related to cancer can cause hair to fall out. The hair loss occurs when the chemotherapy drugs damage the hair follicles, which leads the hair to fall out. You may lose all or only some of your hair, but most often it will come out during shampooing or brushing. Hair often starts to grow back before treatment ends, and there are luckily a number of different options for covering up the hair loss while it is happening.

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To read more about men’s hair loss, the causes, and different treatment options, visit our blog post on men’s hair loss.

Medical Conditions that Cause Hair Loss in Women

The above medical conditions can also affect women, but there are also specific women’s medical issues that can trigger hair loss.

Pregnancy
Telogen effluvium is the excessive shedding of hair that can occur one to five months following pregnancy. It is not uncommon, in fact it happens to 40-50% of women after they give birth. The condition is not serious enough to cause bald spots or permanent hair loss, but you will see thinning hair due to hormone levels returning to their normal state. There is nothing to worry about, and it is not a condition where you need to see your doctor, unless you suspect there may be another reason contributing to the hair loss.

Mother and Baby

Menopause
On the other side of the spectrum is menopause. While you may expect hot flashes and mood swings, another common side effect is hair loss. In fact, after menopause, about 40% of women will experience hair thinning. Like hair loss during pregnancy, hormonal changes are what causes women to lose their hair during menopause. A smaller ponytail, a wider part line, or excessive shedding are all tell-tale signs of hair loss occurring during menopause. Unfortunately there isn’t much that can be done to stop this process, but there are ways to conceal the thinning hair.

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To read more about women’s hair loss, the causes, and different treatment options, visit our blog post on women’s hair loss.

Hair Loss Solutions

You didn’t think we were going to tell you about these medical conditions without giving you any solutions, did you?

While hair loss related to medical issues can be both alarming and shocking, there are ways to cover and treat different types of hair loss.

Hair Building Fibers

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For hair loss or hair thinning related to thyroid disorders, scalp infections, cancer treatment, pregnancy, and menopause, Toppik’s Hair Building Fibers will cover and hide any of the areas of hair loss. Toppik Hair Building Fibers cling to a person’s natural hair and fill in any thinning areas. They’ll stay intertwined with hair until they are washed out with shampoo, and look completely natural, even up close. They are a great way to “fake it” until hair has returned back to its original state, or they can be used every day to help make hair look thicker and fuller.

2-in-1 Hair Nutrition Capsules

For post-pregnancy and menopause related hair loss issues, Toppik Hair Nutrition 2-in-1 Capsules are a great supplement to help hair grow back healthier and stronger. Made with essential nutrients like keratin protein, biotin, camu camu, and red palm oil, hair follicles are supported and strengthened from within. They are a great way to make sure hair is nourished and fortified, so that hair has the best chance at healthy hair growth.

Hair loss solutions are only one way to help cope with thinning hair and hair loss issues though, there are also many support groups and online resources to help you get through this emotional topic.

Hair Loss Support & Resources

Hair loss affects over 35 million men and over 21 million women in the United States.

The bottom line? You are not alone.

If you feel like you may be losing hair due to one of the medical conditions listed above, the first thing you should do is consult with your doctor or healthcare professional. The best thing you can do for yourself is find out why the hair loss is occurring, and begin to treat the issue. Your doctor or healthcare professional will be able to help guide you with any issues affecting your hair and body.

If you are looking for support and others to talk with about your hair loss concerns, there are many online communities, forums, and non-profits designed to help answer any questions you may have regarding hair loss. We’ve created a small list of our favorites to help you take the first step:

  1. Hair Loss Talk
  2. Women’s Hair Loss Project
  3. Bald Truth Talk
  4. Hair Restoration Network
  5. Regrowth
  6. Hair Loss Help
  7. Her Alopecia
  8. American Hair Loss Association
  9. National Alopecia Areata Foundation
  10. Hair Loss Fight

We also want to encourage you to ask questions here, on the Hair Toppiks blog. This blog was created to provide a safe place for people to ask questions, get answers related to hair and hair loss, and for others to share stories of their own hair struggles and inspirational stories. If you feel comfortable, you can always come back to the blog to share your own experience.

Leave a comment in the section below and let us know if you’ve struggled with any of the above medical conditions, and what you’re doing to overcome these hair issues.

Stay In the Know

We hope we were able to provide you with more information related to hair loss in this blog post. Check back with us next week as we talk about the damage hair extensions and other products can do to your hair.

If you want to be the first to know about new posts to the Hair Toppiks Blog, sign up for the Toppik VIP list to receive an email a couple times per month or check us out on Facebook!

Contributed by: Lindsay, a content marketing and social media guru. Specializing in hair loss education, hairstyling and all things beauty related.

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8 Responses

  1. Jamie

    Hi I’ve been using the fibers for 2 weeks now but leaving the fibers in my bald area for a few days before washing out and sleeping on my front. But I’ve noticed I’ve lost a little more hair from my thick areas. Any Help???

    1. Hi Jamie, Thanks for reaching out to us about your experience. This is not something that we would expect as Toppik Hair Building Fibers do not encourage or discourage hair growth. Please keep in mind that this product only helps your hair to appear thicker, it doesn’t contribute to hair growth.

  2. Pingback : Hair Loss During Pregnancy - Toppik Blog

  3. Kitty Skelson

    I lost ALL my hair due to cancer. That was 6 years ago. I HAD beautiful THICK long HEALTHY hair before they found the cancer. When my hair FINALLY came back, I was in TEARS! It came back VERY THIN AND DULL!! Can you help me???

    1. Hi Kitty – We’re very sorry to hear about your hair not growing back the way it was originally. We have a couple different Toppik products that can help. The first is our Hair Nutrition 2-in-1 Capsules (https://www.toppik.com/shop/hair-nutrition-2-in-1-capsules). These are similar to a hair, skin, and nails supplement, and contain biotin and other strengthening and nourishing ingredients to make your hair healthy and strong. Taken twice daily, these vitamins help support your hair from within. Another product that will help your hair is our 3-in-1 Hair Renewal Shampoo (https://www.toppik.com/shop/3-in-1-renewal-shampoo). This shampoo strengthens, conditions, and exfoliates hair all in one step, and provides the optimal environment for healthy hair growth. Lastly, if you have any thinning areas that you want to hide, our Hair Fibers are our best-selling product. Toppik Hair Fibers (https://www.toppik.com/shop/hair-fiber) are a cosmetic solution to thin or thinning hair, and come in a range of colors to match your hair. You can shake or spray the Hair Fibers into your hair, and they will instantly make your hair look thicker and fuller. Please let us know if we can help with anything else!

    2. Even i am loosing my hair due to age , i have consulted my docter and he has advised to use minoxidil tropical solution 5%. But i don’t know if it has any side effects

  4. lois millrr

    I have been using Rogaine for men for 30 some years it does make my scalp itch it is a side effect I also use toppik
    It is great I am going to get an appt. With my doctor and get my thyroid checked hopefully I can get to the root of my problem Thank you any input would be appreciated
    I was told if I stopped using Rogaine the hair that grew in will gradually fall out.
    Is that true?

    1. Hi Lois – Yes, with any Minoxidil product, if you stop using it, the hair that grew back will slowly start to fall out again. If you see hair regrowth, you must continue to use the product indefinitely. Please let us know if you have any other questions!

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