Causes of Teenage Hair Loss
Hair loss may be more common among adult men and women, but some teenagers may also experience hair loss. Teenagers undergo many physical changes as they grow through puberty, which can trigger underlying conditions or cause bodily changes that can result in hair loss.
Alopecia Areata
An autoimmune condition called Alopecia Areata can cause hair to fall out in patches. Autoimmune conditions develop when your body mistakes healthy cells for harmful invaders. With Alopecia Areata, your immune system attacks your hair follicles, and you may notice hair loss on the scalp, eyebrows, eyelashes, or body.
Malnutrition
Various factors can cause a lack of proper nutrition: poor eating, overeating, lack of access to food, dietary imbalances, eating disorders, or digestive conditions. If you lack the following nutrients, you may experience hair loss. We’ll also list a few food items rich in each nutrient to give you an idea of what to add to your diet.
- Vitamin D: Salmon, Canned Tuna, Egg Yolks, Mushrooms, and Cod Liver Oil
- Folic Acid: Asparagus, Leafy Greens, Citrus Fruits, Broccoli, and Eggs
- Vitamin E: Almonds, Avocado, Sunflower Seeds, Salmon, and Mango
- Iron: Shellfish, Spinach, Legumes, Red Meat, and Pumpkin Seeds
- Vitamin C : Cantaloupe, Kale, Kiwi, Broccoli, and Strawberries
- Selenium: Pork, Turkey, Spinach, Mushrooms, and Bananas
- Vitamin A: Spinach, Carrots, Salmon, Eggs, and Whole Milk
- Zinc: Red Meat, Legumes, Seeds, Eggs, and Whole Grains
- Niacin: Liver, Chicken, Turkey, Avocado, and Brown Rice
- Biotin: Carrots, Almonds, Eggs, Berries, and Halibut
Medications
There are a variety of medications or medical treatments that can cause hair loss. Be sure to consult your primary care provider if you experience extreme hair loss or other concerning side effects:
- Acne medications
- Oral birth control
- Antidepressants
- Chemotherapy
- Antibiotics
Hormones
As hormones naturally surge when kids hit puberty, this is also the time for hormone-related conditions to awaken. Two of the most common hormone-related conditions are Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) and Thyroid conditions, both primarily affecting teenage girls:
- PCOS: Polycystic Ovary Syndrome is a common female health issue that leads to excess androgen levels. It’s normal for women to produce hormones like testosterone, but when they produce too much, it can lead to symptoms like disrupted cycles, acne, and thinning hair. PCOS doesn’t have a cure, but it can be managed; check out Natural Ways to Treat PCOS
- Thyroid Problems: Hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism can be common among girls. Hair loss will only typically follow severe forms of thyroid dysfunction. In milder cases, the hair will likely be unaffected.
Stress
The physical and emotional changes teenagers experience can cause extreme stress, leading to hair loss. Psychological stress can significantly contribute to hair loss, but stress can come from other things like; surgery, pregnancy, extreme dieting, or major illness. Some teens and pre-teens (typically between 10 and 13) can also suffer from Trichotillomania , where people feel the overwhelming need to pull their hair in this psychological disorder.
SMP INK
While we at SMP INK can’t currently help your teenager, we wanted to share some information that may give you answers to why your teenager is losing their hair! We left some helpful tips and links to more in-depth knowledge for you to find. If you are an adult suffering from hair loss, our team at SMP INK can help! Book your free consultation today!
