Hair Loss for Women Archives - Miami Hair Institute

Articles Tagged with: Hair Loss for Women

June 28, 2021

5 Common Causes For Hair Loss In Teenage Boys

Teenage boys may not act like it all the time, but they care a lot about their appearance. They want to look cool, fit in, and be attractive to those who they find attractive. It can be hard enough to do that with all of the usual hormonal changes, acne, and awkwardness of the teenage years. But add unexpected and unexplained hair loss into the life of a teenage boy and it can make for a troubling and traumatic time.

It is estimated that around three percent of all pediatrician visits annually involve a hair loss problem. Teenagers, as well as young children, can experience the thinning, balding, or shedding which we usually associate with pattern baldness in adults.

There are many reasons a teen boy could be losing their hair, and parents should always consult with a doctor if their teenager is experiencing excessive shedding or other visible signs of hair loss to determine the underlying cause. The good news is that most hair loss in teenage boys is temporary and usually resolves itself over time or by addressing the underlying cause.

Here are five common causes for hair loss in teenage boys:

Medication

Many drugs prescribed for teens, such as acne medication, antibiotics, or antidepressants, can cause hair loss. With an estimated 85 percent of American teens suffering from acne and about 20 percent struggling with depression, medication-related hair loss in teenagers is a common issue.

Alopecia areata

Alopecia Areata is a specific type of baldness that appears in concentrated, rounded areas on the scalp or elsewhere on the body. Sometimes, Alopecia Areata may develop in several locations at once, such as on the crown or sides of the head and on the arms. An estimated one in 50 people suffer from alopecia areata at some point in their life, and one in every 1,000 experience alopecia areata.

Trichotillomania

This is a psychological condition in which an individual compulsively pulls out their own hair. Approximately one percent of Americans (around 2.5 million people) deal with trichotillomania at some point in their lives, though it is most common in children between the ages of nine and 13. With the help of mental health professionals, most people with trichotillomania will stop this destructive behavior, allowing their hair to grow back.

Traction alopecia

As many boys grow their hair longer, they may put their hair in ponytails, buns, or braids. But those styles involve an unnatural and excessive amount of tension on the hair. That constant stress on the follicles can lead to a condition called traction alopecia that causes hair to fall out. Wearing hair in the same style every day (i.e., a ponytail in the same place) can also cause breakage.

Poor Diet/Eating Disorders

If a teen is malnourished or has an unhealthy diet, their body will have difficulty getting the macronutrients, vitamins, and minerals required for healthy and robust hair follicles. Sometimes, simply eating a more nutritious diet can take care of the problem. But some teen boys (not just teen girls) struggle with eating disorders like anorexia and bulimia that involve more significant challenges to their health and well-being.

Concerned About Your Teen’s Hair Loss? Call Us Today For a Personalized Evaluation.

If your teenage son is struggling with hair loss, schedule a personalized hair loss evaluation with the world-renowned experts at the Miami Hair Institute. Please contact our clinic today at 305-925-0222.

June 21, 2021

5 Common Causes for Hair Loss in Teenage Girls

The life of a teenage girl is full of personal, social, emotional, and physical changes and challenges. And that’s when everything is going right. But when a teen girl unexpectedly and inexplicably starts to experience hair loss issues, it can be a devastating blow. The last thing any teenager wants or needs is to feel different or be on the receiving end of teasing and bullying because of a problem they may have no control over.

There are many reasons a teenager could be losing hair, and parents should always consult with a physician if their teen is experiencing excessive shedding or other visible signs of hair loss to determine the underlying cause. The good news is that most hair loss in teenage girls is a temporary condition.

Five of the most common causes of hair loss in teen girls include:

Alopecia Areata

Alopecia Areata is a specific type of baldness that appears in concentrated, rounded areas on the scalp or elsewhere on the body. Sometimes, Alopecia Areata may develop in several locations at once, such as on the crown or sides of the head and on the arms. Approximately one to two percent of Americans experience Alopecia Areata, including teenage girls.

Hairstyle and Product Issues

Teen girls can spend a ton of time – and use a ton of styling products – to get their hair looking just right. All of the chemicals in those products can build up and damage hair follicles if a teen doesn’t do a thorough job washing their hair.

Similarly, many hairstyles popular among girls involve an unnatural and excessive amount of tension to their hair over an extended period. This can lead to a condition called traction alopecia. For example, wearing unnecessarily tight ponytails, pigtails, or braids for long stretches of time can damage follicles and cause hair to fall out.

Unconscious Hair Pulling and Plucking

Another behavioral cause of teenage hair loss, albeit one with a psychological component, is Trichotillomania. This disorder involves a teen pulling their hair until they uproot the follicles, often leaving large areas of thinning hair, damaged follicles, or total baldness. The best course of treatment for this condition is to consult a mental health professional or behavioral therapist.

Poor Diet or Eating Disorder

Body image issues trouble many teen girls, a challenge that sadly can lead to poor eating choices. If a teen is malnourished or has an unhealthy diet, their body will have difficulty getting the macronutrients, vitamins, and minerals required for healthy and robust hair follicles. Sometimes, simply eating a more nutritious diet can take care of the problem, but teen girls struggling with eating disorders like anorexia and bulimia face more significant challenges to their health and well-being.

Medications

Hair loss is a side effect of some medications, especially those drugs that alter hormones, such as birth control pills. In fact, some physicians actually prescribe birth control pills for some teen girls who have excessive hair growth on their bodies. Other drugs can cause also cause hair loss, including anticoagulants, beta-blockers, and even high doses of vitamin A.

Concerned About Your Teen’s Hair Loss? Call Us Today For a Personalized Evaluation.

If your teenage daughter is struggling with hair loss, please schedule a personalized hair loss evaluation with the world-renowned experts at the Miami Hair Institute. Please contact our clinic today at 305-925-0222.

October 5, 2020

Psychological Impact Of Hair Loss On Men and Women

There are plenty of visual signs of hair loss: a receding hairline, hair left in a brush, in the drain, on your pillow, a growing bald spot on the crown of your head. But not all of the impact of hair loss can be seen in the mirror. Losing your hair can have devastating emotional and psychological side effects.

While a full head of hair may no longer be necessary for our physical health and survival as it was for our ancient ancestors, it retains a symbolic power in our society and in cultures around the world. Hair conveys strength and well-being, while the lack of it is often perceived, unfairly, as a sign of early aging and less desirable qualities.

People experiencing hair loss often internalize these inaccurate and unjust perceptions, with a corresponding reduction in self-esteem and heightened anxiety over their “declining” appearance. In more extreme cases, people who are losing their hair can develop body dysmorphic disorder, suffer from ongoing depression, and endure a diminished quality of life. Some folks may be so embarrassed by their hair loss that they isolate themselves and avoid social situations, further accelerating an unnecessary spiral of loneliness and shame.

Hair Loss Is Especially Hard On Women

The psychological costs of hair loss take a toll on men and women alike. Unquestionably, however, hair loss can be even more devastating for females. While a bald man or one with a receding hairline may not raise an eyebrow, the same can’t be said for women even though they account for about 40 percent of all hair loss cases. Society’s expectations about female appearance and attractiveness have made hair loss a particularly traumatic condition for women, leading to a host of emotional issues.

These issues manifest themselves in relationships, careers, and physical health. Hair loss can take its toll through:

Increased stress, grief, or unease during routine activities
Avoidance of new romantic relationships or withdrawal in existing ones
Overwhelming feelings of humiliation and embarrassment or humiliation
Jealousy or envy about those who don’t experience hair loss
Career-related obstacles, particularly for individuals in broadcasting or other appearance-focused positions
Shutting off from friends or family and missing out on important life events for fear of highlighting hair loss symptoms

Given the foregoing, vanity is not the reason that so many people seek help with their hair loss issues. Rather, individuals with hair loss who pursue hair restoration treatments are making a bold and courageous step to improve their quality of life and care for their own emotional and mental health.

Improving The Lives Of Men And Women Who Experience Hair Loss

At the Miami Hair Institute, we consider it a privilege to help our patients in their hair restoration journey. Led by world-renowned hair transplant surgeons who have changed the lives of thousands of men and women, we evaluate each hair loss patient with a comprehensive and proven methodology to determine the cause of hair loss and choose the most effective treatment option.

To schedule your personalized hair loss evaluation, contact us online or call our office directly at 305-925-0222.