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If you’ve been noticing thinning hair, it can be very upsetting. The first thing many people begin to ask themselves is whether they are responsible for their hair loss. In most cases, this just isn’t true, because other factors beyond your control are the cause. But you may continue to wonder as you hear different rumors and myths about hair loss. So which ones are true? And which new effective hair restoration treatments can help?
 

The Basics
 

Before exploring hair loss causes, it’s important to understand hair loss itself. All hair grows to form your follicles, which are deep in your skin and contain everything your body needs to grow a hair shaft. Each of these follicles is nourished by blood vessels, and each goes through different stages of hair growth that include resting and shedding cycles. 
 

Therefore, some hair loss is normal, and you normally don’t even notice it because you have so many different follicles and they’re all in different hair loss stages. But when you start to notice visible thinning, that’s probably because too many follicles are in a resting or shedding stage due to changes in the follicles. 
 

The Causes
 

Here are some of the most common reasons why follicles stop growing hair – some of these are myths, and others are true.
 

True – Genetics. Genetics plays a huge role in hair loss, and you can see this in many families where hair loss patterns are similar. But just because early hair loss runs in your family doesn’t always mean you will experience thinning hair. Usually, genetic causes of hair loss stem from inherited weaker hair follicles, which then respond to various other factors to result in hair loss. 
 

False – Hair loss is always a permanent thing. This can be true for some factors like genetics, but there are other factors like stress and hormone issues that can be corrected with treatment or lifestyle changes. In some cases, drugs like chemotherapy treatment cause hair loss, which is usually reversed when the treatment stops. 
 

True – Hormones. Hormones, particularly a certain type of male hormone testosterone, can cause a reaction directly in the follicle that can affect hair growth. Many times, this factor works in combination with the genetics of weak follicles to cause them to shrink and stop growing hair. If the hormone imbalance is correctable, sometimes the hair loss can be reversed. 
 

False – Young people never get hair loss. This is not true, because some people with genetic hair loss can experience the effects even before they turn 20. In these cases, early treatments are needed to help mitigate the effects of hair loss. 
 

True – Stress. Hair loss can happen during some very stressful periods of our lives. When very long-term stress occurs, follicles might enter a prolonged resting period, during which hair loss is visible. In most cases, resolving the stressful event or recovering from a long-term, stressful illness can reverse the effects. 
 

False – Only men experience hair loss. This is false, because women also experience hair loss quite frequently, often due to genetics and other factors. Female pattern baldness is also a prevalent condition, but male pattern baldness is the most popular term for this genetic cause of hair loss. 
 

True – You can get help for hair loss. There is absolutely something you can do about hair loss. Today’s medical science advancements have resulted in plenty of hair restoration options, from hair transplantation to hair replacement systems to hair growth treatments, all of which are proven to be effective. 
 

The Solutions
 

No matter what the reason for your hair loss is, it’s important to take action as soon as possible. Make an appointment today at the Hair Restoration Institute and let our hair restoration experts assess your individual needs to determine the cause of your hair loss and develop a personalized hair restoration plan just for you. You can find us at 1201 West Lancaster Avenue in Fort Worth, Texas, or call or 817-854-HAIR (4247) for your complimentary consultation with a caring and experienced hair loss professional.