Common causes of hair loss in teenage girls

Common causes of hair loss in teenage girls

Hair loss in teenage girls is becoming increasingly common and is occurring at an alarming rate. Girls as young as thirteen become confused and anxious when they find more strands of hair lying in their brush, on their pillow, in the shower, and all over the floor. At the same time, they also notice that there is less on their head.

It is especially important for teenage girls to look good and fit in. Excessive shedding with a noticeable reduction in volume can be a devastating and frightening experience, especially since it is not something you ever expected. Who has ever heard of teenage girls losing their hair for no apparent reason? Until recently it was almost unknown.

There are several reasons behind this sudden increase in hair disorders among teenagers. Some of the most common causes are:

HORMONAL CHANGES

Hormonal changes are a common cause of hair loss in teenagers and adults. From the onset of puberty throughout the teenage years, girls experience dramatic hormonal fluctuations. During this time the body needs additional support. Good nutrition, vitamin supplementation, exercise, adequate sleep and adequate relaxation will help a girl overcome these hormonal changes.

Teens are known to have poor eating and sleeping habits. They often prefer to spend their time at the computer, leaving little or no time for fresh air and exercise. These bad habits destroy the hormonal system and lead to hormonal imbalances that can affect the entire system. These imbalances can disrupt the hair growth cycle and lead to unhealthy hair growth, thinning and excessive hair loss.

BIRTH CONTROL PILLS

Birth control pills are often used during teenage years, causing even more hormonal changes that can affect hair. This side effect does not occur in every girl who uses the pill. A person will not know how they will be affected until the drug has been in the system for several months.

EXTREME DIET / ANOREXIA / BULIMIA

Many teenagers are self-conscious about their bodies and will go to extreme measures to fit into size zero jeans. Extreme diets such as anorexia and bulimia are common causes of unhealthy hair growth and excessive hair loss in girls.

Acne medications

To control embarrassing acne, teens are often prescribed retinol-based oral acne medications. This is a very strong prescription medication. Oral acne medications can affect hair growth in several ways. By reducing the size of the sebaceous glands, less sebum is produced. Without sufficient sebum, hair becomes dry, fragile, weak and more likely to fall out or break. This medication may also cause various nutritional disorders that may result in scaling, thinning, or breakage.

Due to the possible side effects, adolescent girls taking this type of medication must be on birth control before, during, and after treatment, making the possibility of hair loss even greater.

OTHER MEDICATIONS

Any medication can cause hair loss, breakage, and unwanted texture changes, even if it is not listed as a symptom. If the teenager is taking medication, this may be the cause of changes in her hair.

VACCINATIONS

Hair loss has been reported as a possible result of immunizations. Most reported cases involve female patients.

TRACTION

Pulling hair back into tight shapes, often required for cheerleaders, dance team members, etc., creates sustained pressure on the scalp and follicles. This traction can loosen the hair from its follicular roots and cause the hair to fall out. Prolonged traction can eventually lead to permanent hair loss. Girls who have to wear these tight hairstyles for competition should wear their hair loose the rest of the time and massage the affected areas to restore blood circulation.

These are just a few of the many possible causes of hair loss in teenage girls. The hair growth cycle is very sensitive to changes or disruptions, so there can be many possible factors.

Most of these conditions involving teenage girls can usually be improved or reversed once the problem is identified and addressed. Using natural methods such as scalp massage and aromatherapy can stimulate hair growth and minimize hair loss in teenage girls.

Inspired by Melanie Vonzabuesnig