What Causes Hair Loss In Teenage Girls And How To Stop It?

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Hair loss in teenage girls is not a common occurrence. The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) states that losing about 50 to 100 strands of hair per day is a natural occurrence(1). However, it is not the same for teenagers. The most common causes for hair loss during teenage include genetic factors, underlying medical reasons, or hormonal imbalances. It should be noted that most of the causes of hair loss or baldness in teens are temporary and will go away either on their own or with the help of treatment. Read on to know more about the causes, treatment, and prevention of hair loss in teen girls.

Natural Ways To Prevent Hair Loss In Teenage Girls

Healthy diet and hair hygiene can help you have healthy hair. The following measures may help prevent excessive hair loss:

• Eating awell-balanced dietcould help keep the hair roots healthy. Foods rich in vitamins, minerals, iron, and protein may help strengthen hair.

• Be gentlewhen combing, brushing, or washing hair. Use a gentle shampoo and conditioner.Harsh hair-care products may damage the hair by causing split ends and breakage.

• Gentle massage with nourishing oils, such as coconut oil, may help in hair restructuring and strengthening.

• Usehairstyling treatments, flat irons and curlers sparingly to avoid long-term damage to your hair.

• Try drying hair naturally and limit the use of blow dryers at high heat. It may help prevent hair damage and hairfall.

• Do not pull hair too tight in braids, ponytails, or pigtails. These may strain the roots of the hair, thus causing hair to fall.

• Managing stress may also prevent excess hair fall, also called Telogen Effluvium.

Possible Causes Of Excessive Hair Loss In Female Teenagers

Some of the common causes of hair loss in teenage girls could be:

1. Adolescent androgenic alopecia: This occurs due to high levels of androgen hormones, includingtestosteroneⁱXA vital male hormone required for the development of male genital organs and secondary sexual characteristics, which is produced by adrenal glands in females. The condition occurs due to a genetic predisposition. The defective genes cause a surge in the production ofandrogensⁱXGroup of hormones responsible for male reproductive system developmentat puberty causing follicle damage. The increased level of hormones impact the hair-growing capability of the hair follicle, thus eventually causing hair loss(2)(3).

2. Infection: Certain fungal infections such astinea capitisⁱXA common fungal infection affecting the skin and hair of the scalp或scalp ringworm may cause hair loss in children and adults. The symptoms include hair loss in patches, bald spots, and itchy or red scalp(4).

3. Trichotillomania: It is a psychological disorder in which there is a strong urge to pull one’s hair. It occurs in adolescence and adults(5).A joint study by researchers from The University of Chicago, US, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, US, and The University of Cambridge & Cambridgeshire/Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust, U.K, surveyed 10,169 adults aged 18 to 69 years, revealed that the average age of onset for females with Trichotillomania was 14.8 years.

4. Traction alopecia: The hair loss pattern occurs when hair is pulled tightly. Tight buns, braids, ponytails, and other similar hairstyles may lead to the condition(6).

5. 医疗条件: Certain hormonal conditions such as thyroid issues, uncontrolled diabetes, andpolycystic ovary syndromeⁱXA condition where ovaries produce an unusually high level of male hormones, leading to a combination of symptomsmay cause hair loss among teenage girls(7).

6. Drugs or medications:According to Harvard Health Publishing, hair loss can be a side effect of medications such as beta-blockers, amphetamines, heparin, and warfarin.Cancer-related medications may cause excessive hair fall(8).

7. Poor nutrition: Unhealthy dieting and eating disorders (such as Bulimia Nervosa) during adolescence could be responsible forhair loss. It also affects weight(9).

8. Others:Stress, interruption in the normal hair growth cycle, and using chemicals in hair products may damage hair and result in hair loss.

While some of these causes may be corrected by taking the measures mentioned above, some might need medical attention.

When To See A Doctor?

When natural ways to prevent hair loss do not bring a change, then it is good to see a doctor to identify the underlying cause of excessive hair loss. Based on the medical diagnosis, the doctor may recommend a treatment.

Treatments For Hair Loss In Teenage Girls

Some of the common treatments doctors use to stop hair loss in teenage girls are:

1. Medications: According to Harvard Health Publishing, minoxidil helps in producing new fine hair growth. However, it may not work for all women. If it works in your case, your doctor may recommend you to use it continuously for a given period.

The doctor may prescribe anti-androgens to treat androgenic alopecia as well aspolycystic ovary syndrome(PCOS) in females as their body makes more androgens(10).

2. Iron supplements: If the hair loss is due to deficiency of iron in the body, the doctor may prescribe iron supplements(10).

3. Antifungal therapy: When the hair loss is due tofungal infections, the doctor may prescribe anti-fungal shampoo or anti-fungal medicines(11).

4. Hair transplantation: Hair loss is often treatable through medications. But in severe cases, the doctor may recommend a hair transplant treatment. These procedures are surgical and invasive. Therefore, it may be used as a last resort, and when the benefits of the procedure outweigh the problems caused by hair loss. For this, you may have to wait for some years until the doctor thinks it is right to do the transplant.

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