Factors to Consider When Treating Your Hair Loss

Dr. Sharon Keene of the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery discusses male and female pattern baldness: Genetics, Stress, & Hair Loss.

Male and female-patterned hair loss can both be genetically passed on from generation to generation. Recent studies confirm that stress can be an accelerator in hair loss. On behalf of the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery (ISHRS), Dr. Sharon Keene talks about "epigenetics" and scientific treatments to help reduce hair loss in both genetic and stress-induced cases. For more information on hair loss and restoration, please visit ISHRS.

While the overwhelming cause of thinning and balding in men (80%) and in women (40%) is genetic, there are a variety of other reasons such as medical treatment side effects, and health disorders that will cause hair loss as well.

Some other common reasons for hair loss include:

• Pregnancy
• Chemotherapy
• Prescription medications
• Significant weight loss
• Physical/emotional stress or trauma
• Vitamin/nutrient deficiency or surplus
• Underlying medical conditions such as anemia, hypothyroidism, or auto-immune disorders
• Trichotillomania (hair pulling)
• Chemical styling

The list above may also be considered as secondary factors that would add to an existing genetic component. A proper individual assessment is necessary to rule in or out all primary and secondary factors that are contributing to your thinning problem. This is why we continually ask:

DO YOU REALLY KNOW WHAT IS CAUSING YOUR HAIR LOSS?