Teenage Hair Loss Causes

When you hear about hair loss you probably have an image pop into your head of a middle-aged man. It might surprise you that even teenagers can lose their hair. The cause of teen hair loss isn’t necessarily the same as it would be for adult men or women. Here are surprising causes of teenage hair loss:

Harsh Chemical Treatment

It can be fun to change your hair color often but excessive hair coloring can lead to issues. The chemicals found in hair color are safe but frequent exposure to those chemicals can weaken your hair and cause it to begin breaking off. This also goes for the chemicals used to straighten or curl your hair.

Excessive Styling

You probably know that using flat irons and curling irons can cause hair to have split ends. What you may not realize is blow drying your hair daily or too much exposure to flat irons and curling irons can cause your hair to thin. The intense heat can make your hair weak and brittle which then can cause the hair strands to break off at the root. Never style your hair without a spray or cream designed to protect your hair from the heat.

Traction Alopecia

Traction alopecia is a type of hair loss that is caused by the constant pulling and tugging on the hair. Traction alopecia is known to occur from:

• Wearing hair in a tight bun or ponytail constantly.
• Weaves
• Extensions
• Cornrows
• Dreadlocks
• Medications

People take medication for a variety of reasons. Acne is a common issue among teenagers and often they may see a dermatologist that may prescribe medication. Some of these medications and be a cause for hair loss. There are other meds like antibiotics that can also lead to hair loss. If you are taking any medications and notice your hair starting to thin or that you have bald patch spots, talk to your doctor.

Inadequate Nutrition

Our hair is constantly growing and in order for it to do so, it needs plenty of vitamins and proteins. Many teens don’t eat the best foods nor have the healthiest eating habits. Improper nutrition and poor diet can lead to hair loss. Some of the most common deficiencies are:

• Eating disorders
• Crash dieting
• Non-varied diet (due to picky eating or attempt to lose weight)
• Junk food
• Food sensitivities or allergies
• Stomach or intestinal issues