Baldness Causes – the Full List

What is the Cause of Baldness?

There are many causes for hair loss. Some are related to medical or physical conditions (including the use of medications), hormones or bad nutrition but keep this in mind – most cases are a result of pattern baldness that is genetic.

Before getting into the factors that may cause hair loss, it’s important to know the normal hair shedding process. About 10% of our hair is shedding at a given time (equally all over our heads), and this level is normal. Of course, 10% is not accurate, it may be a bit more or less, but take it as a rule of thumb or as an average. If the hair falling percentage dramatically exceeds the ten percent, then it may be an indication to a baldness problem.

Following are the causes for baldness and hair loss:

1. Physical Trauma – If you have undergone any surgery or any sort of illness, then it may cause hair loss (usually reversible). This is mainly due to the level or trauma the body have gone through and also due to the side effect of the medication taken for preventing infection, or fight the illness.

2. Hormone fluctuation and related problem may also cause baldness or some level of hair loss. This is also reversible as long as the levels return to normal after a reasonable time period. Once the hormonal imbalance stabilized a new hair will grow. A common example is pregnancy. After pregnancy the progesterone hormones levels are imbalanced which results with few months (3-6) of shedding, afterwords hair grows back to normal levels. In some cases hormone imbalance can be corrected by taking appropriate hormones (prescribed by a doctor).

3. As mentioned in section 2, pregnancy may also cause thinning hair and some level of hair loss. This will happen only after delivery as during pregnancy the progesterone levels are high – and protect the hair.  Shedding in this case is only temporary.

4. Baldness in women or men with long hair may occur as a result or a tendency of wearing the hair in tight fashion. A permanent stretch can cause a permanent damage to the follicles and baldness in such case is irreversible.

5. Drugs and medications for medical treatments – There is a long list of medications which may cause hair loss, these are usually strong medications prescribed to hard diseases, such as anticoagulants, wincrysticin or onchocryticin (Cancer medications & chemotherapy), medicines used for gout, antidepressants and even Vitamin A (if taken in excessive amount).  This also includes steroids and any drug that have a long term impact on the body. Make sure you are aware of your medications side effects and consult with your doctor.

6. Hard diseases such as lupus or diabetes and even HIV may also cause hair loss and baldness. Hence, it is very important to detect the baldness and diagnose the cause – as it may be an indication of illness. The medications taken as a result of the diseases may also cause hair loss as mentioned above. Baldness as a result of illness can be irreversible.

7. Heat and sun – when your scalp is expose to heat or to the sun’s radiation, it may harm the skin – and the follicles. Make sure to wear a hat, and be careful using fans.

8. Genetics – you inherited the genes  that cause pattern baldness. This is the #1 cause for baldness, and you will find a lot of info about it in this blog.

9. Poor diet – lack of vitamins, minerals and proteins will lead to poor physical condition as well as for hair loss. This is usually reversible – once you add the missing ingredients your hair will grow back. Same goes with too much junk food or any imbalanced diet (want to lose weight? be careful when picking the right diet).

10. Poor physical shape – if you are not in a good physical condition you are more likely to suffer from baldness. Fat that should have been burned is accumulated, blocks the small blood vessels that feeds the follicles, and also creates more testosterone in the body which later transforms into DHT – the hormone that creates pattern baldness in those people who are sensitive to the hormone. Working out regularly will improve your physical shape, and prevent complications causing baldness.

11. Stress -  Stress does cause hair loss. It also cause gray hair. The exact reasons are unknown, but it seams that stress effects physiological process in the body and may even be a trigger to a pattern baldness to appear early, or to accelerate dramatically.

12. Poor scalp condition – skin diseases including exema and psoriasis may cause baldness.

13. Exposure to toxins, in the air, water or food and also exposure to radiation (some people claim it includes cell phone radiation) can cause baldness. Such exposure is common in our modern life, and some people are even more exposed during their job or in their work environment. Such exposure is harmful to your body, the impact on your hair may be a warning sign.

14. Addictions – drugs, alcohol, smoking etc are harmful to your health and may harm proper physiological processes, including hair growth.

15. Aging – as we glow older we lose hair, this is merely part of aging that effects body functions.

16. Cosmetics -  repeated coloring, perming, shampooing with harsh chemical shampoos and excessive use of hair fans may create hair loss and accelerate baldness.

17. Thyroid dis-functions – can cause many physical disorders, including hair loss. Once the thyroid activity is stabilized, hair regrowth will occur, as long as the follicles were not harmed.

As you can now see, there are many reasons and causes for baldness and hair loss. Unfortunately, so many that you may also be at risk. Luckily, there is a lot you can do to prevent baldness, or to regrow hair, so don’t panic too much because stress itself may cause hair loss!

Just keep reading, and learn more about baldness and its cures.