Is My Hair Loss Temporary or Progressive?
Hair loss can be temporary or progressive, and the pattern, timing and possible cause can provide important clues. Sudden shedding may be associated with a temporary trigger, while gradual thinning that follows a recognizable pattern is more commonly associated with progressive hereditary hair loss.
The most common cause of progressive hair loss in men and women is androgenetic alopecia, also known as male pattern hair loss or female pattern hair loss. It develops gradually as genetically susceptible hair follicles become smaller through a process called miniaturization. Men may notice a receding frontal area, thinning at the crown or both, while women more commonly experience diffuse thinning or a widening part.
Temporary hair shedding can occur for many reasons. Significant physical or emotional stress, illness, hormonal changes, pregnancy, nutritional deficiencies and certain medications can trigger increased shedding. One common form of temporary shedding is telogen effluvium, which may become noticeable weeks or months after the triggering event. Whether the hair returns to its previous density can depend on the underlying cause and whether other forms of hair loss are also present.
Some medical and autoimmune conditions can also cause hair loss, including forms that produce patchy or diffuse thinning. Because temporary shedding and progressive hair loss can sometimes occur at the same time, appearance alone may not always reveal what is happening.
If you are noticing increased shedding, a change in your hair density or progressive thinning, an evaluation can help determine what may be contributing to the hair loss. At Leonard Hair Transplant Associates, Chief Hair Restoration Surgeon Dr. Matthew Lopresti evaluates hair loss in men and women and discusses appropriate surgical or non-surgical treatment options based on the individual.