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Hair Loss and Its Causes: A Comprehensive Guide

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Hair loss is a natural part of the hair growth cycle – everyone loses some hair daily. However, when hair loss increases and the scalp becomes visible, it can become a real concern. Hair loss affects millions of people worldwide and often has a significant impact on self-esteem. In this guide, we explain the different types of hair loss, their causes, and how AS-Clinic can help with state-of-the-art treatments.

🟨 Current Hair Loss Statistics

Recent studies from 2023-2024 reveal interesting insights about hair loss prevalence:
Type of Hair LossPopulation FrequencyMost Affected Groups
Androgenetic Alopecia80% of men, 50% of womenAdults over 30
Alopecia Areata2% of populationAll age groups
Diffuse Hair Loss3-10% of populationPost-pregnancy women, stressed individuals
Interesting demographic differences in hair loss frequency:
Ethnic GroupStandardized Prevalence (per 100,000)Relative Risk*
Asian4142.47x higher
Black2261.35x higher
Hispanic/Latino2121.26x higher
White168Reference
*Compared to white population, based on current studies

Age Distribution of Hair Loss

The highest prevalence of hair loss occurs in these age groups:
  • Ages 30-39: 297 per 100,000
  • Ages 40-49: 270 per 100,000
  • Ages 50-59: 174 per 100,000
Recent research shows that about 9% of hair loss patients suffer from severe forms like alopecia totalis or alopecia universalis.

🟨 Understanding Hair Growth Basics

To understand hair loss, we first need to know about the natural hair growth cycle. Each hair follicle goes through several phases:
  • Growth Phase (Anagen): Lasting 2-6 years, hair grows about 1 cm per month. About 85-90% of our scalp hair is normally in this phase.
  • Transition Phase (Catagen): A brief phase lasting about 2 weeks. The hair follicle shrinks and detaches from its blood supply.
  • Resting Phase (Telogen): This 2-4 month phase ends with hair falling out while a new hair begins to grow in the same follicle.
Losing 50-100 hairs daily is normal and no cause for concern. Only when significantly more hair falls out or hair density noticeably decreases is it considered problematic hair loss.

🟨 Common Types of Hair Loss

▶️ Androgenetic Alopecia (Hereditary Hair Loss)

Androgenetic alopecia is the most common form of hair loss, affecting about 80% of men and 50% of women during their lifetime. In this genetically determined form, hair follicles are particularly sensitive to the hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT), leading to follicle miniaturization. In men, androgenetic alopecia typically shows as:
  • 🔹 Receding hairline at the temples
  • 🔹 Thinning at the crown
  • 🔹 Progressive connection of these areas into the classic baldness pattern
In women, hereditary hair loss manifests differently:
  • 🔹 Diffuse thinning mainly at the crown
  • 🔹 Widening of the middle part
  • 🔹 Rarely complete baldness
  • 🔹 Hairline usually remains intact

▶️ Alopecia Areata (Spot Baldness)

Alopecia areata is an autoimmune condition where the immune system attacks hair follicles. It’s characterized by sharply defined, round bald patches that can appear suddenly. This form affects about 1-2% of the population and can occur at any age. Key characteristics:
  • 🔹 Sudden appearance of coin-sized bald patches
  • 🔹 No inflammation signs on the scalp
  • 🔹 Can affect beard, eyebrows, and other body regions
  • 🔹 In about 80% of cases, hair regrows within a year
  • 🔹 Often associated with other autoimmune conditions like thyroid disorders

▶️ Diffuse Hair Loss (Telogen Effluvium)

In this form, hair thins evenly across the entire scalp. Diffuse hair loss is usually temporary and has various triggers:
  • 🔹 Severe physical or emotional stress
  • 🔹 Hormonal changes (pregnancy, childbirth, menopause)
  • 🔹 Nutritional deficiencies
  • 🔹 Certain medications
  • 🔹 Thyroid conditions
After removing the cause, hair growth typically recovers within 6-12 months.

🟨 Detailed Causes of Hair Loss

▶️ Genetic Factors

Genetics plays a crucial role in hair loss. Contrary to popular belief, the predisposition for hair loss isn’t inherited only from the maternal side – genes from both parents can contribute. The main cause is the genetically determined hypersensitivity of hair follicles to DHT, a breakdown product of the male hormone testosterone.

▶️ Hormonal Changes

Hormones significantly influence our hair growth. Hormonal fluctuations can lead to temporary or permanent hair loss:
  • 🔹 Pregnancy and Childbirth: During pregnancy, more hair remains in the growth phase. After delivery, these hairs fall out, leading to temporary increased hair loss.
  • 🔹 Menopause: Declining estrogen levels can lead to thinning hair in women.
  • 🔹 Thyroid Problems: Both over- and under-active thyroid can cause hair loss.
  • 🔹 PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome): This hormonal disorder can lead to hair loss in women due to elevated androgen levels.

▶️ Medical Causes

Various diseases and medical treatments can trigger hair loss:
  • 🔹 Autoimmune Diseases: Besides alopecia areata, lupus erythematosus or scleroderma can cause hair loss.
  • 🔹 Scalp Infections: Fungal and bacterial infections can damage hair follicles.
  • 🔹 Chemotherapy: Cancer medications targeting rapidly dividing cells also affect hair follicles.
  • 🔹 Medications: Certain blood pressure medications, anticoagulants, antidepressants, and other drugs can have hair loss as a side effect.

▶️ Nutritional Factors

A balanced diet is crucial for healthy hair growth. Here’s a detailed overview of essential nutrients:
NutrientFunction for HairBest Food SourcesRecommended Daily Intake
IronOxygen supply to hair rootsRed meat, spinach, lentils10-15mg
ZincHair growth and repairPumpkin seeds, oysters, beef7-10mg
BiotinKeratin productionEggs, nuts, oatmeal30-100µg
Vitamin DHair follicle activationFatty fish, egg yolks, sunlight800-1000 IU
Omega-3Scalp moistureSalmon, flaxseed, walnuts250-500mg

Effects of Nutrient Deficiencies

Scientific studies show these connections between nutrient deficiencies and hair loss:
DeficiencyFrequency in Hair LossTypical SymptomsRecovery Time
Iron30-40% of casesFatigue, brittle hair3-6 months
Vitamin D25-35% of casesBrittle hair, scaly scalp2-3 months
Zinc15-20% of casesThin hair, delayed growth1-2 months
Biotin10-15% of casesBrittle hair, split ends1-3 months
When deficiency is confirmed, these supplements may be beneficial:
SupplementDosageDurationSpecial Notes
Iron Complex40-80mg3-6 monthsTake with vitamin C
Vitamin D31000-4000 IUOngoingMonitor levels
Zinc15-30mg2-3 monthsNot on empty stomach
Biotin2500-5000µg3-6 monthsCombine with B vitamins

▶️ External Factors

How we treat our hair can also lead to hair loss:
  • 🔹 Heat Exposure: Frequent blow-drying, straightening, or styling with high temperatures damages hair structure.
  • 🔹 Chemical Treatments: Dyeing, bleaching, or perming can weaken hair and lead to breakage.
  • 🔹 Mechanical Stress: Too tight ponytails, buns, or extensions can cause traction alopecia.
  • 🔹 Environmental Factors: UV radiation, air pollution, and chlorinated water can negatively affect hair quality.

▶️ Psychological Stress

Prolonged psychological stress can disrupt the hair cycle and lead to increased hair loss. The body responds to stress by releasing various hormones that can force hair follicles into the resting phase. Traumatic events can even cause sudden, diffuse hair loss (telogen effluvium), usually occurring 2-3 months after the triggering event.

🟨 Treatment Success and Therapy Comparison

The choice of the right treatment method depends on various factors. Here’s a detailed comparison of the main therapy options:
Treatment MethodSuccess RateTimeframePermanenceCost-Benefit Ratio
PRP Therapy70-80%3-6 monthsRefresh neededMedium to high
Minoxidil60-65%4-6 monthsOnly during useLow
Finasteride80-85%3-12 monthsOnly during useLow
Hair Transplant95-98%Immediately visiblePermanentVery high
Mesotherapy60-70%2-3 monthsRefresh neededMedium

Scientifically Proven Effectiveness

Current clinical studies demonstrate the effectiveness of various treatments:
TherapyStudy ParticipantsPositive ResultsFollow-up Period
PRP2,500+76%24 months
Minoxidil 5%5,000+62%48 months
Finasteride 1mg3,000+83%60 months

Long-term Prognosis by Treatment Type

Treatment Type1 Year3 Years5 Years
Conservative (Medications)65%60%55%
PRP + Medications75%70%65%
Hair Transplant95%90%85%
Combination Therapy85%80%75%
*Percentages refer to patients with stable or improved condition

🟨 New Research and Future Perspectives

Hair loss research is constantly evolving. Here’s an overview of the latest developments:

Current Research Focus Areas

Research AreaDescriptionStatusExpected Availability
JAK InhibitorsMedications for autoimmune hair lossPhase 3 Studies1-2 years
Stem Cell TherapyHair follicle regenerationClinical Trials3-5 years
Exosome TreatmentFollicle stimulation through growth factorsEarly Studies2-4 years
Gene TherapyTargeted treatment of genetic causesBasic Research5+ years

Promising New Treatment Approaches

Current scientific publications show these innovative therapy options:
Treatment ApproachMechanismInitial Study ResultsSpecial Features
BaricitinibJAK1/2 inhibitor33% hair regrowthAlready approved
RitlecitinibJAK3 inhibitor40% success rateApproval expected
CTP-543Selective JAK inhibitor30-40% successPhase 3
RCH-01Stem cell basedInitial positive resultsIn development

Personalized Medicine

The future of hair loss treatment lies in personalized medicine:
ApproachMethodBenefitsStatus
Genetic ScreeningDNA analysisTargeted therapy selectionAvailable
Biomarker TestsBlood testingEarly detectionIn development
AI-supported DiagnosisImage analysisPrecise progress monitoringPilot phase
Microbiome AnalysisScalp floraIndividualized treatmentResearch
Recent study results show that combining different innovative approaches yields particularly promising results.

🟨 Contact and Consultation

Are you suffering from hair loss and want to do something about it? Schedule a personal consultation at AS-Clinic. Our expert team takes time for your questions and develops an individual strategy for your hair problem.
  • 📞 Phone: +491793902489
  • 📧 Email: info@asclinic.com
  • 🏢 Address: Oldenburger St. 37, 10551 Berlin
  • 🌐 Website: https://asclinic.com
Contact us now – your path to new hair growth starts here!

Hair loss can be caused by a variety of factors. The most common are:

Genetic predisposition (androgenetic alopecia, DHT sensitivity)

Hormonal changes such as pregnancy, menopause, or discontinuing the birth control pill

Nutrient deficiencies, especially iron, zinc, vitamin D, and B vitamins

Stress, infections, or serious illnesses

Medications such as chemotherapy, blood pressure medications, statins, or ADHD medications

Autoimmune/skin diseases such as alopecia areata or fungal infections

Hormonal fluctuations significantly influence the hair cycle. During pregnancy, for example, estrogen promotes hair growth. After birth, it drops rapidly, which can trigger hair loss (postpartum effluvium). During menopause, estrogen levels drop, while dihydrotestosterone (DHT) becomes more active, causing hair roots to shrink. Stopping the birth control pill can also cause hormonal shock. All of this leads to diffuse hair loss.

Yes. A deficiency in vital nutrients—such as iron, zinc, biotin, vitamin D, or folic acid—can disrupt hair roots during the growth phase, thus promoting diffuse hair loss. These deficiencies are particularly common in women after pregnancy or during crash diets. A targeted blood test can identify the deficiency, making supplementation under medical supervision advisable.

Psychological or physical stress—for example, due to trauma, surgery, infections, or chronic stress—can delay the hair growth cycle. The resting phase (telogen phase) is prolonged, and hair loss increases (telogen effluvium). The effect often only becomes apparent several weeks later. Stress management, such as sleep optimization or relaxation techniques, can help stabilize hair growth.

A medical evaluation is recommended if:

an unusually high amount of hair is lost (>100 per day or in clumps),

bald patches are visible, or the loss is rapidly worsening.

Typical tests include:

Blood tests: iron status (ferritin), zinc, vitamin D, thyroid levels, hormones (testosterone, estradiol, progesterone)

Hair analysis: pluck or wash test, trichogram

Scalp assessment: magnifying examination, biopsy if findings are unclear
This diagnostic test helps plan the appropriate treatment—e.g., micronutrients, targeted medications, lifestyle modifications, or PRP

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Wichtiger Hinweis zum Datenschutz: Ihre Daten werden nicht an Dritte weitergeleitet und streng vertraulich behandelt. Sie dienen Praxisintern zur Angeboterstellung & Erfüllung sowie für die Rechnungsdaten. Sie können Ihre Einwilligung jederzeit widerrufen. Wie das funktioniert lesen Sie hier: Datenschutz