Why does my hair fall out teenager?

If you feel like your hair is falling out more than it should be, don’t fret! It’s a common problem that many teenagers face. In fact, according to the American Academy of Dermatology Association, about 80 million people in the United States experience some form of hair loss. So why does this happen? Let’s dive into the reasons behind teenage hair loss.

Hormones: The Cause Behind Most Things

When we talk about teenagers and their body changes, hormones are usually at the forefront of our minds. Hormones are responsible for growth spurts and mood swings (ugh!) but they also play a significant role in causing hair loss. Androgenic hormones like testosterone can cause balding or thinning (yikes!).

Genetics: When Your Follicles Are Not Your Friend

Genetics plays another big part in making us lose our locks. If your parents or grandparents have experienced hair loss at a young age, it could very well be passed down onto you too (thanks mom/dad/grandpa/grandma) Unfortunately there’s not much we can do to stop those pesky genes from doing their thing.

Hairstyles: Pull Back Haters

Do you love to rock tight ponytails or braids for days? As much as those styles might look cute on TikTok stars (or so I’ve heard), They’re also putting strain on your scalp by pulling tightly on your follicles which ends up damaging them over time.(gasp!). This kind of damage builds up and eventually causes more strands to fall out than usual.

Lesson Learned:

• Aim for looser hairstyles.
• Avoid tying back wet hair.
• Don’t wear one style constantly — switch it up!

Nutritional Deficiencies

A teenager’s diet often consists mainly of snack foods grab-and-go meals which may lead to not getting the necessary vitamins required for healthy hair growth. Common nutritional deficiencies include vitamin D, iron, and protein. Lucky for you there are plenty of food sources that can pump up your meals with these vital nutrients.

Foods You Should Consider Eating

Nutrient	Food Sources
Vitamin D	Fortified milk or orange juice, salmon, mushrooms exposed to UV light
Iron	liver meat(never thought I would say that), leafy greens such as spinach and kale (trust me add some bacon bits on it)
Protein	Eggs of course! Also lean meats like chicken/turkey breast,on bags of quinoa

Medications: Take With Caution

Hair loss could also be a side-effect from any medication you might currently be taking. Drugs used in cancer treatment (chemotherapy/radiation therapy)are notorious hair-loss-causing medications but hormones pills(like birth control pills)such as progestin/estrogen may also affect your follicles.Talk to your doctor if this is something you are concerned about.

Be Proactive:

• Read labels.
• Check online reviews.
• Speak to other users before trying new treatments.

Medical Conditions: The Suspect

In some cases, medical conditions can cause hair fall too.Some examples include alopecia Areata(an autoimmune condition), thyroid problems & polycystic ovary syndrome(PCOS). Treatments differ depending on the diagnosis. Thankfully most treatments have high success rates!

Medical consults

Please make sure consult a dermatologist in case suspecting an underlying disease rather than googling everything or hearing it from “Karen” over coffee.

Warning signs:

1.Logging+monitoring patterns of shedding
2.Noticing bald spots which worsen progressively
3.Itching/scarring/dryness around problem area

Stress: It Takes A Toll

Life as a teenager can be stressful for many reasons – exams, social situations, and family problems to name a few. But did you know that stress can also cause hair loss? When we experience intense physical or emotional stress (here’s looking at you 2020) our bodies sometimes force hairs into the dormant phase which leads to shedding.

Over-Processing: The Triple Threat

When it comes down to styling our hairs, caution is advised buzzing sound effect. Chemical treatments like dying/bleaching/perming might damage your follicles if done too often . Using heat tools excessively (that means every day folks) dry out strands causing them to break/fall out. Lastly brushing on wet hair causes added tension-better leave those tangles in till your hair dries off.

Warnings:

• Avoid using harsh chemicals DIY.
• Apply deep-conditioners after processing
• Cut back on heat styling.
• Make Sure Hair Is fully dry before detangling with brush/combs

Sleeping Habits & Hygiene: The System In Sync

As annoying as they may seem, mom/dad were right about changing bedsheets regularly.Bedding harbor bacteria/fungi like yeast-that could lead scalp infections affecting mesh of root systems leading to fall-outs eww gross! Pillowcases could also absorb moisture/oil from beansprouts(Mickey mouse pancakes)which ultimately makes follicles dry/brittle.A good sleeping schedule ensures healthy cortisol levels ensuring right functioning of hormone system.

Practice Good Sleep Hygiene By:

• Regularly washing Sheets/Pillowcases/Washcloths(yes even towels,I know).
• Taking Care Not To Go To Bed With Wet Hair.
• Staying On A Consistent Schedule.

Wrap-Up

In conclusion,hair loss is an issue alllmost all teenagers face at some point.The above tips are simply meant as guidelines If your hair fall persists despite giving them a try it’s important to consult with professionals about possible underlying medical conditions or excess shedding. Keep on trucking!