What’s Causing Your Hair Loss?

You run your fingers through your hair and pause. Is that more shedding than usual? Or maybe you’ve caught a glimpse in the mirror of a thinning patch you hadn’t noticed before. At Chicago Skin Clinic, we know how unsettling hair loss can be. Whether it’s gradual thinning or sudden bald spots, we’re here to help you figure out what’s causing your hair loss and what your options are.

How Is Hair Loss Different Than Regular Shedding?

Did you know that you naturally shed 50-100 strands of hair in a day? How much you shed depends on many factors, including stress and the changing Chicago seasons. However, when shedding becomes excessive for a long period of time, hair seems to come out in clumps, or when the hair doesn’t grow back as it should, you might be suffering from something more than a temporary phase.  

Hair loss often includes visible thinning, slower regrowth, and changes in scalp coverage. To understand what’s going on, let’s explore the most common causes of hair loss and how they affect different people.

Alopecia 

Alopecia is often used as an umbrella term for several types of hair loss. Alopecia areata, for example, often appears as round, smooth patches of missing hair. In more severe cases, it can lead to complete loss of hair on the scalp (Alopecia Areata Totalis) or body (Alopecia Areata Universalis).

At Chicago Skin Clinic, Dr. Danny and Dr. Del Campo usually start with topical treatments for alopecia areata patients because they’re noninvasive and easy to incorporate into most routines. Some patients with alopecia respond well to intralesional minoxidil injections, which help reactivate dormant follicles. We may also explore low-level laser therapy (LLLT) or prescription medications to manage flare-ups and support regrowth. 

Genetic Hair Loss

It’s important to note that not all cases of alopecia involve an autoimmune disorder. For example, alopecia androgenica, nicknamed male or female pattern baldness, is a genetic issue, not an autoimmune one. The word alopecia simply means hair loss. This understanding is essential for effective treatment and realistic expectations. 

Men typically notice alopecia androgenica as a receding hairline or thinning at the crown. Women may see a widening part or overall volume loss. Genetics affect when it starts and how quickly it progresses.

Although you can’t change your genes, you can slow or minimize the impact with treatments like LLLT, PRP (Platelet-rich Plasma therapy), or topical and oral medications available through Chicago Skin Clinic or as a prescription. Since we can’t reverse time, catching it and beginning treatment early is key.

Hormonal Hair Loss

Shifts in hormones can throw your hair growth cycle off balance. This often shows up during pregnancy, postpartum, menopause, or due to conditions like PCOS or thyroid disorders. Hormonal hair loss tends to appear as overall thinning rather than patchy spots.

Treating hormonal hair loss means addressing the root cause. We may  have to do some investigative work that requires a little patience. Once we understand which hormone shifts are affecting you, we’ll be able to craft an effective, personalized treatment plan.

Poor Nutrition & Hair Loss

As doctors, we know you might get tired of hearing that your diet is to blame for your problems. But sometimes, it really is that simple, even with something as complex as hair loss.

What you eat affects your hair because your hair needs vitamins and proper nutrition. Deficiencies in protein, iron, zinc, or B vitamins can slow hair growth and increase shedding. Rapid weight loss or restrictive dieting can also cause your body to divert nutrients away from your hair to more essential functions.

If we suspect nutrition is a factor, we may perform further testing for confirmation. If your hair loss is caused by nutrition, we may recommend dietary changes, targeted supplements, and over-the-counter products sold at Chicago Skin Clinic that support healthy hair from the inside out.

Can Medications Cause Hair Loss?

Yes! Some prescription and over-the-counter medications can cause hair to thin or shed. This side effect usually doesn’t appear right away, making it harder to connect the dots. If you’ve recently changed medications and noticed hair loss, bring a list to your appointment so we can assess. 

Medications that cause hair loss include BUT NOT LIMITED TO:

• Blood pressure medications (beta-blockers, ACE inhibitors)
• Antidepressants and mood stabilizers
• Chemotherapy drugs
• Birth control pills or hormone replacement therapy
• Certain acne treatments
• Anticoagulants (blood thinners)

In this case, we might suggest you speak to the prescriber of the medication or your pharmacist before starting a new treatment. Speaking with a board-certified dermatologist (with your entire medical and prescription history) is certainly important. 

Does Stress Cause Hair Loss?

Stress can put so much strain on your body and mental health. That strain can lead to upset stomachs, mood swings, hair loss, and more. Why? Chronic stress can disrupt your body’s natural cycles. Emotional pressure, physical trauma, illness, or surgery can trigger a condition called telogen effluvium, where more hairs enter the resting phase earlier than they should and then fall out.

Stress-related hair loss usually resolves once the stressor is removed, but recovery can take months. In the meantime, treatments like PRP therapy and nutrient support at Chicago Skin Clinic may help speed up regrowth.

Do Hair Products Cause Hair Loss?

Hair products are a sneaky cause of hair loss. Since these products are marketed at taking care of hair, many people never suspect that their shampoo, conditioner, hair mask, serum, etc., could be causing their hair loss. Active ingredients in the products might be causing hair to fall out, or, more commonly, it’s contributing to scalp irritation or hair breakage.

Heat styling or tight hairstyles can stress the hair shaft and make shedding more frequent and noticeable, too. 

Check out the ingredients on your products, or bring a list of your favorite hair care items along with your list of medications to your appointment so our board-certified dermatologists can get a full understanding of all your potential causes of hair loss.

Visit A Trusted Hair Loss Specialist In Chicago

Hair loss looks different for everyone, and no single cause or treatment fits all. If you’re not sure what you’re dealing with, a visit to a hair loss dermatologist in Chicago can help clarify the cause and create a treatment plan. Look for answers from a team that sees the whole picture. Contact Chicago Skin Clinic today to schedule your appointment and start rebuilding your confidence from the root up.

Posted by Chicago Skin Clinic