Over 80 million people in the United States are impacted by hair loss. While most of these people are men, women can also suffer from hair loss. There are also a lot of different reasons why someone might suffer from hair loss and those reasons may affect whether it’s permanent or temporary. Knowing the cause and how it can impact your hair, in the long run, will help you to take any necessary steps to address it, such as investing in a hair replacement system.

Medical Treatments

You’re probably aware that people with cancer may suffer from hair loss. Chemotherapy isn’t the only medical treatment that can cause hair loss, however. The treatments for the following conditions can cause hair loss:

• Cancer
• Gout
• High blood pressure
• Arthritis
• Depression
• Heart problems

This type of hair loss generally lasts as long as the treatment does.

Medical Conditions

Certain medical conditions can also cause hair loss. These include:

• Alopecia areata (immune system-related)
• Trichotillomania (hair-pulling disorder)
• Scalp infections

Hormonal Changes

Undergoing hormonal changes can also cause hair to fall out either on a temporary or a permanent basis. Some examples of conditions that cause such hormonal changes include:

• Pregnancy
• Childbirth
• Menopause
• Thyroid problems

Stress

Someone who has experienced a stressful or traumatic event. Several months after the incident, they may notice their hair thinning. This type of hair loss is generally temporary.

Family History

Hair loss as a part of aging can run in families. The British royal family, for example, has a family history of hair loss. This type of hair loss is generally permanent and anyone suffering from it may want to consider a hair replacement system.

Radiation

If you’ve had to have radiation treatments on your head, then you may have a higher risk of hair loss. While the hair loss may be temporary, it also may not grow back as it was before the radiation.

Tight Hair Styles

Hairstyles that involve pulling your hair tight, such as cornrows or pigtails, can cause hair loss over time. Hair loss caused by such hair-pulling is called traction alopecia. The effects can be temporary if you treat it quickly, but if you continue with that same hairstyle, the hair loss could end up being permanent.

Hair Treatments

Certain hair treatments like perms and hot-oil treatments could also result in hair loss if done excessively. If there’s scarring from any hair treatment, then it’s possible for the hair loss to be permanent.

What Should You Do If You Experience Hair Loss?

If you find that you’re losing your hair, first identify what could be causing it. Whether the hair loss is permanent or temporary may affect what you decide to do about it. Temporary hair loss may just be a matter of waiting for your hair to grow back. If the hair loss is permanent, however, you may want to consider a hair replacement system. You should talk to your hair stylist to determine the best course of action that will leave you happy and confident with your hair.