Teenage years are hard enough without having to deal with the added problem of teenage hair loss. Although hair loss is usually related to older individuals, it is actually a common problem that many teenagers face. Hair loss at any age can be caused by many factors from hormones, medications, to the types of products that are used to take care of your hair.

The first step in coping with teenage hair loss is identifying what the underlying problem could be.

Underlying Causes of Teenage Hair Loss

Fox News health recently reported 5 common causes of hair loss in teenage girls:

• Hormones
• Medicine
• Poor nutrition
• Over-styling
• Deeper medical condition

We’ve covered them all in the following three sections.

Hormones

A very common reason for teenage hair loss is a change in hormones.

During the teenage years, puberty causes your hormones to go crazy and there is a specific hormone that causes hair loss. This hormone is dihydrotestosterone, also known as DHT. DHT shrinks the hair follicles which causes the hair to fall out. If hormones are the underlying problem, hair loss will continue until the hormones are balanced again.

Haircare

Improper haircare techniques can also cause hair loss.

If hair is not taken care of correctly, it can become brittle and weak causing breakage or it to fall out. You may be using the wrong products, tools, or techniques in your hair care routine. Tight styles, such as braids and ponytails, cause stress on the hair and can make the hair come out in clumps, resulting in bald spots.

If heat is being used daily, especially without the proper products, it can cause your hair to break as well. Hair products should also be utilized to add moisture and strength to the hair.

Medication/Medical Problems

Medications and underlying medical problems are another cause of teenage hair loss.

Vitamin deficiencies such as lack of vitamin B2, B1, C, and iron can cause hair loss. On the other hand, too much vitamin A can be unbeneficial to your hair.

Medications for birth control, acne treatment, or thyroid treatment can be a culprit of hair loss as well.

Skin diseases, like alopecia areta, can be another cause of teenage hair loss. An under-active thyroid and diabetes affect hair growth as well.

Proper nutrition must be maintained to keep your hair growing healthy. A poor diet of fast food, that is high in fat and starch, is not conducive for hair growth. Crash diets usually do not provide you with the proper nutrients and can cause hair loss.

Stress may also be a cause of teenage hair loss, as they usually experience a lot of stress. Sometimes this stress can cause trichotillomania (or TTM), which is the compulsive need to pull out your hair.

How to Cope with Teenage Hair Loss

Here are some potentially effective ways you might be able to help counteract your hair loss.

Change Your Styling Routine

You may want to talk with your hair stylist about your current hair care and styling routine and ask for any recommendations that they may have. Chances are, they will be able to tell you which products, tools, and techniques are best for your hair type and texture.

You may also want to add a nourishing oil, such as argan or coconut oil, to your hair routine. These oils provide your hair with moisture and help your hair to become stronger. Other nourishing treatments, like hair masks, will be beneficial as well. Reducing the amount of heat and tight hair styles you use each week will be beneficial to your hair regrowth journey.

Make Lifestyle Changes

Taking steps towards a healthier lifestyle may be enough to stop the hair loss. These steps should include a healthier diet, regular exercise, higher water intake, and to try to keep a low-stress level.

A healthier diet can be achieved by eating foods that are rich in vitamins that will add nutrients to your hair. You also want to have a protein-rich diet, as our hair is made up of a protein called keratin.

Regular exercise and increased water intake are essential parts of maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Keeping a low-stress level can help if you are pulling out your hair due to stress or if your hair is falling out because of stress. Try meditating and taking time to yourself once a day.

Seek Medical Treatment

Sometimes taking steps on your own is not enough and you need to seek the treatment of a doctor.

If you think your hair loss could be caused by one of the medications that you are on, talk to your doctor about switching to another medication that doesn’t have this side effects.

The reason for your hair loss may be caused by an underlying medical condition. This is when you should speak to your doctor so they can help find the cause and cure your hair loss.

If you have a skin infection or disease, you may want to seek the attention of a dermatologist to treat your problem. They are specifically trained to deal with hair and skin problems and will be able to offer you options.

Don’t Worry, There’s Hope

Teenage hair loss may seem like an embarrassing problem, but it is more common than you think (as is premature hair loss in general) and there are many ways to deal with it. Finding the underlying problem first and then taking action is the best way to treat this condition.

Teenage hair loss does not have to be permanent. Taking these steps should help you get back your healthy hair in no time. And remember, if your hair loss is not getting better, you may need to speak with your doctor.

Some Recommended Products

Here are some commercially available products that may help to address and correct hair loss. As with any vitamin supplement please ensure you read the information carefully before purchasing and follow the recommended dosage for best results.