Hair Fall Can Be Stopped. But First, Know Why It Started.
Losing hair can really shake your confidence – especially when it feels like it’s happening out of nowhere. The good news? Most hair fall can actually be slowed down or even reversed, once you figure out what’s causing it. At StrideRx, we’re here to help you make sense of the science behind hair loss and guide you toward solutions that actually work.
What It Is
When doctors talk about hair loss – the fancy term is alopecia – they’re describing a situation where you’re losing hair faster than your body can replace it. Sometimes it’s gradual thinning. Sometimes it’s patches. Either way, it’s noticeable, and it matters.
The type most people deal with is what’s called male-pattern baldness, or androgenetic alopecia if we’re being technical. It usually shows up as you get older, and there’s a pattern to it – receding hairline, thinning on top, you know the drill.
But there are other culprits too. Telogen effluvium is when a bunch of your hair follicles basically decide to take an early vacation and enter a resting phase all at once. You might not notice right away, but a few months later – boom, sudden shedding. Then there’s alopecia areata, which is your immune system getting its wires crossed and attacking your hair follicles, leaving you with random bald spots.
Causes
- Genetic & Hormonal Sensitivity- In androgenetic alopecia, hair follicles shrink over time due to sensitivity to dihydrotestosterone (DHT). This causes the growth phase of hair to shorten.
- Stress & Life Events- High stress, illness, major surgery, or emotional trauma can lead to telogen effluvium. Your body basically redirects energy away from “non-essential” things like hair growth when it’s in survival mode. As research points out, “significant stress pushes large numbers of hair follicles into a resting phase”. Stress doesn’t just live in your head; it shows up everywhere, including your scalp.
- Nutritional Deficiencies & Illness- Poor nutrition, lack of vitamins and minerals, thyroid dysfunction, and chronic diseases can interrupt hair growth.
Medication side effects and treatments (like chemotherapy) can also trigger acute hair loss.
Treatment Options
First things first: if you’re genuinely worried, see a doctor. They might check your blood for thyroid function, iron levels, hormones – the works. Sometimes they’ll examine your scalp closely or even take a tiny sample to rule out scarring or other issues that need different treatment.
Once you know what you’re dealing with, here are the usual go-tos:
Minoxidil is probably the most well-known. It’s that topical stuff you apply to your scalp. Give it about six months of consistent use, and a lot of people see regrowth or at least stop losing more hair.
Finasteride is a pill for men that lowers DHT levels – basically tackles the hormone piece of the puzzle head-on.
Beyond that, there are fancier options like laser therapy, PRP injections (where they use your own blood’s platelets to stimulate growth), or even hair transplants if you’re at that stage and it makes sense for you.
When to See a Doctor
If you notice sudden patchy hair loss, heavier shedding than usual, or hair loss that keeps getting worse over months, it’s wise to consult a specialist. Acting early can make a big difference in saving your hair and controlling the progression.
StrideRx’s Approach
At StrideRx, our dermatologists use a structured, science-based protocol:
- Analyze your medical history, lifestyle, and pattern of hair fall.
- Order targeted diagnostics.
- Offer individualized treatment plans (medication, therapy, lifestyle).
- Monitor progress and adjust treatment over time.
If you want a private, credible consultation backed by medical evidence and continuous follow-up, book an online appointment with us today.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice.
References
- Hair loss – Symptoms & causes / Diagnosis & treatment
Mayo Clinic. Hair loss: symptoms, causes, diagnosis & treatment. Accessed online.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hair-loss/symptoms-causes/syc-20372926 Mayo Clinic
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hair-loss/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20372932 Mayo Clinic - Male Androgenetic Alopecia (NCBI Bookshelf)
“Male Androgenetic Alopecia” (Endotext). National Center for Biotechnology Information.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK278957/ NCBI - Hair Loss: Common Causes and Treatment (PubMed article)
PubMed. “Hair Loss: Common Causes and Treatment.”
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28925637/ PubMed - Telogen Effluvium: A Review of the Literature (PMC free full text)
PMC. “Telogen Effluvium: A Review of the Literature.”
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7320655/ PMC - A review of the treatment of male pattern hair loss
PubMed. Review article on treatments including minoxidil, finasteride etc.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32066284/ PubMed - Comprehensive Review on Hair Loss and Restorative Techniques (PMC)
PMC. “Comprehensive Review on Hair Loss and Restorative Techniques.”
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12103887/ PMC - Treatment options for androgenetic alopecia: Efficacy, side effects
PMC. “Treatment options for androgenetic alopecia: Efficacy, side effects …”
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9298335/ PMC - Telogen Effluvium (PMC review on causes and mechanisms)
(same as reference 4)
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7320655/ PMC - The Role of Vitamins and Minerals in Hair Loss: A Review
PubMed. “The Role of Vitamins and Minerals in Hair Loss: A Review.”
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30547302/ PubMed - Status of research on the development and regeneration of hair
PMC. “Status of research on the development and regeneration of hair.”
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10750333/ PMC - Alopecia Areata: An Updated Review for 2023 (PMC free article)
PMC. “Alopecia Areata: An Updated Review for 2023.”
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10291119/ PMC - Mayo Clinic on stress and hair loss
Mayo Clinic. “Stress and hair loss: Are they related?”
https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/expert-answers/stress-and-hair-loss/faq-20057820 Mayo Clinic