How Can I Stop My Hair Loss?

Many treatments can be used for hair loss depending on the cause, including volumizing shampoos and conditioners, stress reduction techniques, medications, dandruff shampoo, medicated shampoo, regular exercise, prescription treatments, and others.

Hair loss (alopecia) is a common complaint that may be due to a wide variety of causes from medical conditions and hormones to genetics and aging. 

Depending on the cause, it may be possible to stop hair loss. In other cases, hair loss is permanent. 

Treatment to stop hair loss depends on the cause. 

• Hormones
  • Hair loss due to pregnancy is temporary and hair will grow back on its own within a few months after giving birth
  • Volumizing shampoos and conditioners may help hair look fuller
• Extreme stress
  • Hair usually grows back once the stressful situation ends
  • Volumizing shampoos and conditioners may help hair look fuller
  • Different styling techniques may also help
  • Eliminate the stressors, when possible
  • Practice stress reduction techniques such as mediation or relaxation
  • Exercise regularly
  • Consume a healthy diet 
• Certain medications 
  • Hair loss is usually temporary and hair will grow back once the course of medication ends
  • Talk to your doctor about switching medications if the side effect of hair loss is bothersome
    • Never stop taking a prescribed medication without first talking to your doctor 
• Dandruff or scalp psoriasis
  • For dandruff: over-the-counter shampoos containing zinc pyrithione or exfoliating ingredients such as the classic Head & Shoulders Classic or Oribe Serene Scalp Anti-Dandruff Shampoo 
  • For scalp psoriasis: 
    • Medicine applied to the scalp
    • Medicated shampoos
    • Scale softeners
    • Injections
    • Light treatments
    • Biologics and other medicines 
• Harmful hair care practices
  • Avoid harsh chemical processes 
  • Don’t use hot tools for hair styling
  • Don’t brush hair aggressively 
  • Don’t wear a tight braided hairstyle for extended periods
• Nutritional deficiencies
  • Talk to a doctor about correcting nutritional deficiencies
  • In some cases, over-the-counter supplements may be adequate and in other cases prescription supplementation or dietary changes may be needed
• Male and female pattern baldness
  • Minoxidil (Rogaine): available over-the-counter for men and women
  • Finasteride (Propecia): available by prescription, meant for men, though may be used in women who have been through menopause
  • Spironolactone (Aldactone): available by prescription, may help some women who do not have good results with minoxidil
    • Not safe for use during pregnancy
• Autoimmune diseases
  • For alopecia areata:
    • Steroids: injected or applied directly to the scalp (for example, as a liquid, gel, foam, lotion, or cream)
    • Topical immunotherapy
  • For other autoimmune conditions: treating the condition may help reduce or stop hair loss