How to Prevent Hair Loss in Teenagers

Consult a hairstylist about treatment options and hairstyles. Chemical treatments that can cause temporary hair breakage or loss include bleaching, coloring, straightening, and perming. Heat from flat irons or blow dryers can also contribute to hair loss.

• Tight hairstyles like ponytails or buns can lead to "traction alopecia," damaging hair follicles over time. If you feel scalp pain, avoid pulling your hair back tightly into ponytails or styles that strain your hair.

Consider family history. Ask your parents if there is a history of hair loss in your family. The most common cause of hair loss in adults—male or female pattern baldness—is hereditary. However, a combination of genetic and hormonal factors can trigger this type of hair loss as early as ages 15 to 17.

• Recent studies suggest that hereditary hair loss can be inherited from either parent in both males and females.

Monitor excessive hair shedding. Losing around 50 to 100 hairs daily is completely normal. However, stress or traumatic events (such as accidents, surgeries, or illnesses) can lead to significant hair loss. Typically, excessive shedding returns to normal within 6 to 9 months, but ongoing stress can result in persistent hair loss.

Be cautious about hair pulling. Teenagers often unconsciously play with their hair by twisting or pulling it. In some cases, this behavior is a symptom of a disorder called "Trichotillomania," where individuals pull out their hair when anxious or distracted. Although this habit is often unconscious, it can lead to bald patches.

• This disorder is frequently stress-related. Consult a specialist or a trichologist (a hair and scalp expert) for proper diagnosis and treatment.

Consult a doctor or dermatologist for insights into health-related issues. Numerous conditions and health problems can cause hair loss. Hormonal imbalances like uncontrolled diabetes, thyroid disorders, or polycystic ovary syndrome can disrupt hair production. Individuals with lupus are also at risk of hair loss.

• Eating disorders such as anorexia or bulimia can lead to deficiencies in protein, vitamins, and minerals essential for hair growth. Some vegetarian teenagers may experience hair loss if they don't get enough protein from plant-based sources.
• Athletes are at higher risk of hair loss due to iron-deficiency anemia, which can also contribute to hair shedding.
• A patchy hair loss condition, often accompanied by scaling and breakage, is caused by a fungal infection called tinea capitis. While less common in teenagers, it can still occur. This issue requires treatment with oral medication and specialized shampoos.

Check for small, round bald patches. One or more circular bald spots on the scalp may indicate a skin condition called "alopecia areata" or patchy hair loss. This autoimmune disorder occurs when the immune system attacks hair follicles. Fortunately, it is treatable, and hair often regrows within a year. However, some individuals may experience recurring or persistent hair loss.

• If left unchecked, alopecia areata can sometimes progress to complete baldness or even total body hair loss, though this is rare. Visit a dermatologist for a proper diagnosis, which may include microscopic hair examination or a skin biopsy.
• This condition is not contagious.

Consult your doctor about medications. Chemotherapy for cancer is a well-known cause of hair loss. However, many prescription drugs—including those used to treat acne, bipolar disorder, and ADHD—can also have hair loss as a side effect. Weight-loss medications containing amphetamines may contribute to hair loss as well. Provide your doctor with a detailed list of all medications you are currently taking, both prescription and over-the-counter, to determine if they might be causing the issue.

Use products tailored to your hair type. The overwhelming array of products at hair care stores can be daunting. However, taking the time to read labels and find shampoos and conditioners formulated for your specific needs can make a significant difference. For instance, if you dye your hair, opt for products designed for color-treated hair. If your hair is chemically processed or damaged, consider using a "2-in-1" shampoo. Some hair care experts recommend using gentler baby shampoos for hair. Regardless of cost, many baby shampoo and conditioner brands offer similar benefits. Remember, you don’t need to spend a fortune to find a quality hair product.

• Be cautious of products marketed as hair loss prevention or regrowth solutions without proven efficacy.
• Seek advice from a hairstylist or dermatologist to identify the best hair care products for your needs.

Maintain a regular hair-washing routine. Wash your hair with a gentle shampoo and conditioner daily or every other day, especially if you have oily hair. While it might seem that daily washing could accelerate hair loss, this is not the case. Hair follicles cannot function properly when clogged with dirt or oil. Regular washing improves scalp health and prevents excessive hair shedding.

• Focus on cleansing the scalp with shampoo rather than just the hair strands. Cleaning only the hair can dry it out, leading to breakage and shedding.
• Apply conditioner after each wash to moisturize and strengthen your hair. Unlike shampoo, avoid applying conditioner directly to the scalp, as it can clog follicles and cause damage.
• Avoid vigorously rubbing your hair with a towel after washing, as this can lead to breakage and damage.

Protect your hair from heat damage. Heat from blow dryers, curling irons, and flat irons can damage hair, causing breakage and loss. Minimize heat-related damage by air-drying your hair and embracing styles that suit your hair’s natural texture.

• If heat styling is necessary for special occasions, use heat-protectant products to shield your hair.

Avoid pulling your hair tightly. Hair loss can also result from prolonged tension on hair strands. Steer clear of tight braids, ponytails, or hairstyles that strain your hair. When brushing, curling, or straightening, avoid tugging harshly. Use a wide-tooth comb to gently detangle knots. Additionally, refrain from playing with your hair or brushing it from the ends to the roots.

Style your hair only when dry. Wet hair is more vulnerable to damage and breakage when stretched. If you plan to braid or curl your hair, wait until it is completely dry.

Limit exposure to chemicals. Be cautious if you frequently dye or chemically treat your hair. Processes like straightening or perming can damage and weaken hair follicles, leading to breakage and hair loss. Prolonged exposure to pool chemicals can have similar effects.

• Whenever possible, avoid chemical treatments for your hair.
• Wear a swim cap to protect your hair while swimming. Use specialized swimmer’s hair care products to replenish moisture if you swim regularly.

Maintain a balanced and nutritious diet. A proper diet provides the vitamins and minerals essential for healthy hair. Imbalanced diets, common among vegetarians or those with eating disorders, often lead to hair loss. To prevent this, incorporate the following into your diet:

• Iron and Zinc: Found in lean red meat, soybeans, and lentils, these minerals support hair follicle growth.
• Protein: Meat, fish, beans, nuts, and yogurt promote hair growth and repair.
• Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Fatty fish like salmon improve hair strength and shine, while also offering benefits like reducing depression and enhancing heart health.
• Biotin: This B vitamin, found in eggs, is crucial for the healthy growth of all cells, including hair.

Ensure your diet includes essential vitamins. Certain vitamins, like vitamin D, promote hair growth but are difficult to obtain through food alone. Taking a vitamin D supplement (around 1,000 IU daily) can help improve your hair. Incorporate daily supplements of B vitamins such as biotin, vitamin E, zinc, and magnesium to ensure you’re getting the necessary nutrients.

• While there’s no direct link between vitamin supplements and preventing hair loss, they can help maintain overall hair and body health.

Address sources of stress in your life. Hair loss can be linked to prolonged stress or traumatic events like accidents or surgeries. If your hair is in the "Telogen effluvium" phase, you may lose half to three-quarters of your hair, with clumps falling out during washing, brushing, or running your hands through it. This condition is usually temporary and resolves within 6 to 9 months, but it can become chronic if stress isn’t managed. Once stress is alleviated, hair growth typically resumes.

• Engage in stress-relieving activities like yoga, meditation, or jogging. Spend time on hobbies you enjoy and focus on bringing calmness and peace to your life.
• If stress feels overwhelming, consult a therapist or counselor for support and recovery.

Use over-the-counter hair loss treatments. Non-prescription medications like Rogaine can be effective with consistent use, but they are primarily designed to prevent hair loss rather than regrow hair. However, some regrowth may occur. New hair may appear shorter and thinner than normal and will slow down if treatment is discontinued.

• Avoid using Rogaine if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant.

Consult a dermatologist if symptoms worsen. Rapid hair loss during adolescence requires professional medical attention. Abnormal hair shedding, patchy hair loss, or hair loss in specific areas may indicate an underlying condition. Symptoms like pain, itching, redness, scaling, or other noticeable abnormalities should be documented, especially if accompanied by weight gain, muscle weakness, or sensitivity to cold and fatigue.

• A dermatologist will review your medical history and examine your hair and scalp to diagnose the cause of hair loss.
• They may also conduct tests such as blood work, microscopic hair analysis, or a scalp biopsy.

Provide accurate information to your dermatologist. During the examination and testing process, your dermatologist will ask a series of questions. Be prepared to share the following details:

• Are you experiencing hair loss only on your scalp or in other body areas as well?
• Have you noticed specific patterns of hair loss, such as a receding hairline, thinning on the crown, or overall shedding?
• Do you dye your hair?
• Do you use a hair dryer? If so, how frequently?
• What type of shampoo do you use? Do you use other hair products like gels or hairsprays?
• Have you recently been ill or had a high fever?
• Have you been under unusual stress lately?
• Do you pull or rub your scalp when anxious?
• Are you taking any medications, including over-the-counter drugs?

Request prescription medication for hair loss. Your dermatologist may prescribe finasteride (brand name Propecia). It comes in pill form and must be taken daily. However, its primary purpose is to prevent further hair loss rather than regrow hair.

• Propecia is typically prescribed for men, as it poses risks of birth defects if used by pregnant women.

Ask your doctor to adjust your medication if necessary. If hair loss is a side effect of a medication you’re taking for another condition—such as acne or ADHD—your doctor may switch your prescription.

• Never stop taking medication without consulting your doctor, as it could worsen your condition.
• If you have diabetes or thyroid issues, proper management can reduce or stop hair loss.

Consider corticosteroid treatment for patchy hair loss. If your dermatologist diagnoses you with an autoimmune condition, discuss corticosteroid options. These potent anti-inflammatory drugs suppress the immune system and treat patchy hair loss. Corticosteroids can be administered in three ways:

• Local injections: Steroid compounds are injected directly into bald patches. Side effects may include temporary pain and skin thinning, which usually resolves on its own.
• Oral medication: Side effects of oral corticosteroids include high blood pressure, weight gain, and osteoporosis. Thus, they are rarely prescribed for hair loss and only for short-term use.
• Topical ointments: Steroid creams or ointments can be applied directly to bald areas. This method is less invasive than injections and is often used for children and teenagers. However, topical treatments are generally less effective than injections.