If you’re among one of the millions of American men and women who are losing their hair, chances are you want to know why. At the private practice of Beth and Howard Braver, MD, our compassionate physicians understand.
We regularly treat hair loss in men and women. Sometimes the first step in seeking treatment is understanding the underlying cause. Here’s a look at some of the top reasons people lose their hair and how we can help.
More than 50% of women over age 40 struggle with noticeable hair loss, including 30 million American women with female-pattern hair loss. And by age 50, about 85% of men have significantly thinner hair.
Some factors increase your odds of experiencing noticeable hair loss. Here are a few of the most common reasons you might be losing your hair:
If there’s a history of hair loss in your family, you have a higher chance of losing your hair, too. While there’s nothing you can do about your genes, the good news is that new treatments are highly effective at reversing hereditary hair loss.
Wearing your hair in a way that pulls on the roots increases your risk of losing your hair due to a condition called traction alopecia. This is when you experience hair loss because of frequent pulling on the roots of your hair from hairstyles like tight ponytails, cornrows, and braids.
The longer you wear your hair like this, the higher your risk of damaging your hair follicles and experiencing permanent hair loss.
When your body is under stress, from such conditions as having a baby, losing significant weight in a short period, having surgery, or struggling with an illness, it can trigger hair loss.
For older men and women, andropause and menopause, which bring a host of hormone changes, can also affect thinning hair, as can thyroid imbalances at any age.
You may be losing your hair for other reasons less common than those listed above, including taking certain medications, undergoing radiation therapy, or having a medical condition, like alopecia areata, which causes hair loss. We review your history to arrive at an accurate diagnosis.
Yes! The good news is that advances in hair loss treatment mean help for men and women losing their hair. We begin by examining your scalp and reviewing any other symptoms you have.
We consider your medical and family history, and order any necessary lab work to understand the underlying root cause of your hair loss. Then we create a customized treatment plan to address your thinning hair.
The right treatment depends on why you’re losing your hair in the first place. For example, hormone replacement therapy can help restore your hair if your labs tell us a hormonal imbalance is at play.
If you’re worried about losing your hair, we’re here to help. Schedule an appointment at our Aventura or Hollywood, Florida, office by calling or booking a consultation online now.
