Hair plays a huge emotional and psychological role in how we look and feel. So when strands start thinning, shedding increases, or bald spots appear, the experience can be incredibly stressful. Many people describe hair loss as “losing a part of themselves,” and the fear often begins with one question:
Hair loss isn’t random. It always has a cause — sometimes genetic, sometimes hormonal, sometimes lifestyle-driven, and sometimes medical. The good news is that most causes of hair loss can be treated, especially when diagnosed early by trained specialists.
This deep guide breaks down the most common causes of hair loss in men and women, the questions patients frequently ask, and the most effective, science-backed treatments recommended by experts at Twenty One Medical.
To understand hair loss, you first need to understand the life cycle of a strand of hair. Each hair grows independently and moves through three primary stages:
This is the active growth period that lasts between 2 and 7 years. Genetics determines how long your hair stays in this phase.
A short 1–2 week window when the follicle shrinks and detaches from the blood supply.
Hair naturally falls out as new hair prepares to grow underneath.
You normally lose 50–100 hairs a day in this phase.
Hair loss occurs when something disrupts this cycle, forcing too many hairs into shedding mode — or when the follicle becomes weak, inflamed, or dormant.
For many people, hair loss is inherited. Androgenetic alopecia is responsible for more than 95% of permanent hair thinning.
American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) – Hair Loss Overview
https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/hair-loss
Your follicles become sensitive to a hormone called DHT (dihydrotestosterone). Over time, DHT shrinks follicles, causing hairs to grow thinner, shorter, and eventually stop growing completely.
Twenty One Medical combines medical and cosmetic treatments for the best outcome.
This is one of the most misunderstood types of hair loss — and one of the most frightening because it seems to happen overnight.
Cleveland Clinic – Telogen Effluvium Explanation
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/24486-telogen-effluvium
A physical or emotional stressor forces many hairs into shedding mode at the same time.
This type of hair loss is usually reversible with early treatment.
Hormonal shifts are one of the top reasons women experience thinning hair.
Harvard Health – Hormone-Related Hair Loss in Women
https://www.health.harvard.edu/womens-health/hair-loss-in-women
Hormonal hair loss responds extremely well to early professional treatment.
Your hair is made of protein, relies on iron, and grows properly only with the correct mix of vitamins and minerals. Nutritional shortages directly weaken follicles.
NIH – Iron Deficiency & Hair Loss Research
https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Iron-Consumer/
When the body receives the right nutrients, hair responds quickly.
This occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks hair follicles. National Alopecia Areata Foundation
https://www.naaf.org/
This type of hair loss is caused by repeated tension or harsh chemicals. AAD – Traction Alopecia
https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/hair-loss/types/traction-alopecia
Hair loss can be a sign of an underlying health issue. American Thyroid Association – Thyroid Disorders & Hair Loss
https://www.thyroid.org/hair-loss/
Anyone with unexplained shedding should be evaluated by a medical professional.
Treating the underlying condition + professional hair restoration therapy.
Certain drugs disrupt the hair cycle. MedlinePlus – Drug-Induced Hair Loss
https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000247.htm
As we age, follicles become smaller and produce thinner strands. Cleveland Clinic – Seborrheic Dermatitis Overview
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/14478-seborrheic-dermatitis
Nearly everyone over 40 begins to experience structural hair changes.
A healthy scalp is the foundation of healthy hair. NCBI Research – PRP for Androgenetic Alopecia
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5986265/
Stimulates weak and dormant follicles using your own growth factors.
Results: thicker, stronger, healthier hair.
A minimally invasive, scar-free, permanent solution for restoring bald or thinning areas.
Increases follicle energy production, boosts density, and reduces inflammation.
Includes Minoxidil, peptide solutions, and DHT-blocking formulas.
Correcting internal imbalances drastically improves long-term results.
You should schedule an evaluation if you notice:
Early diagnosis = better, faster, more permanent results.
Twenty One Medical focuses on restoring not just hair — but confidence, identity, and self-esteem.
Hair loss can feel overwhelming, but it is not hopeless. Understanding the cause of your hair loss is the first step toward an effective solution. Whether your hair thinning is genetic, hormonal, stress-related, or age-related, modern medical treatments make it possible to restore density, thickness, and growth.
At Twenty One Medical, you’ll receive a customized plan built around science, advanced technology, and your unique needs. The sooner you seek help, the better your results will be.
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