Hair loss, also known as alopecia, can develop in both men and women but is more common in men. Hair loss can be hereditary or a natural part of aging, or it can be caused by hormonal changes, medical conditions or a stressful event.^1,2

The most common type of hair loss is gradual thinning on the top of the head. Men tend to thin in the front and crown of the head, which appears as a receding hairline or bald spot.^3,4

On average, a person normally sheds 50 to 150 strands of hair daily. Losing more than 125 strands of hair daily is considered hair loss.⁵

Learn more in our blog Hair Shedding vs. Hair Loss: What’s the Difference?

A common misconception about taking creatine supplements is that it causes hair loss, but there is no evidence to support this.⁶

Scientific research has not reached a conclusive answer about the relationship between wearing hats and hair loss. However, it’s possible that wearing hats that are very tight — or very hot — could decrease blood flow to the hair follicles, stressing them and causing them to fall out. This hair loss would be temporary at first but could progress to permanent hair loss.⁷

Over time, taking testosterone can cause hair follicles to shrink. The process, known as miniaturization, results in thinner hair. Eventually those follicles stop producing visible hair altogether.⁸

Dandruff is a skin condition and not a cause of hair loss. Excessive itching due to dandruff may cause temporary hair loss.⁹ Learn more about dandruff shampoo.

While certain shampoo ingredients may be less than ideal for healthy hair, existing evidence doesn’t point to any specific ingredient as a potential cause of hair loss. This includes dry shampoo and dandruff shampoos.¹⁰

Deficiencies in vitamins A, B, C, D and E, as well as iron and zinc, have been associated with hair loss.¹¹

Hard water contains a buildup of minerals, such as calcium and magnesium. This produces a film on the hair, making it difficult for moisture to penetrate. As a result, the hair is left dry and prone to breakage.¹²

Yes, but not directly. These medications can cause stress on your body and nutritional or hormonal changes that trigger hair loss. The hair loss is usually not permanent, but it can take months to reverse.¹³

Drugs cause hair loss by interfering with the normal cycle of scalp hair growth. The severity of drug-induced hair loss depends on the type of drug and dosage, as well as your sensitivity to that drug.

Many different types of drugs are thought to cause hair loss, including:¹⁴

• Acne medications containing vitamin A (retinoids)

• Antibiotics and antifungal drugs

• Antidepressants

• Birth control pills

• Anticlotting drugs

• Cholesterol-lowering drugs

• Drugs that suppress the immune system

• Drugs that treat breast cancer and other cancers

• Epilepsy drugs (anticonvulsants)

• High blood pressure medications (antihypertensives), such as beta-blockers, ACE inhibitors and diuretics

• Hormone replacement therapy

• Mood stabilizers

• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)

• Parkinson's disease drugs

• Steroids

• Tamoxifen blocks the estrogen receptor to prevent breast cancer.

• Thyroid medications

Hair loss is common in people who are taking chemotherapy drugs for cancer.

Chemotherapy drugs that tend to cause hair loss include:¹⁵

• Adriamycin

• Cyclophosphamide

• Dactinomycin

• Daunorubicin

• Docetaxel

• Doxorubicin

• Etoposide

• Fluorouracil

• Ifosfamide

• Irinotecan

• Methotrexate

• Nitrosoureas

• Paclitaxel

• Tamoxifen

• Topotecan

• Vinorelbine

In addition to hereditary, age and alopecia areata, there are other health conditions that can lead to hair loss, including:^{16, 17, 18}

• Childbirth, illness or other stressors: A few months after giving birth, recovering from an illness, or having an operation, you may notice a lot more hairs in your brush or on your pillow. This can also happen after a stressful time in your life, such as a divorce or death of a loved one.

• Thyroid disease: If you have a problem with your thyroid, you may see thinning hair. Some people notice that their hair comes out in clumps when they brush it.

• Diabetes: Diabetes can interrupt the normal cycle of the hair growth process, slowing down hair growth. Having diabetes can also cause you to lose more hair than usual. It doesn’t only affect your head. You can lose hairs on your arms, legs and other body parts, too. When the hair regrows, it does so at a slower than usual rate.

• Smoking and vaping: One of the lesser-known side effects of smoking is an increased chance of developing hair loss.

1. Mayo Clinic

2. American Academy of Dermatology Association

3. Everyday Health

4. Mayo Clinic

5. Cleveland Clinic

6. National Library of Medicine

7. Cleveland Clinic

8. Baylor College of Medicine

9. Healthline

10. Healthline

11. Harvard Health Publishing

12. Healthline

13. Cleveland Clinic

14. American Hair Loss Association

15. WebMD

16. American Academy of Dermatology Association

17. Healthline

18. Healthline

Medications are available to treat male pattern (hereditary) baldness. The most common options for men include:

• Minoxidil (Rogaine®): Minoxidil is available in an oral tablet by prescription and topical formulations (liquid, foam and shampoo) which you can get by prescription or over the counter.

• Finasteride (Propecia®): This is taken daily as a pill. Many men taking finasteride experience a slowing of hair loss, and some may show new hair growth. It may take a few months to tell whether it's working for you.¹⁹

• Dutasteride (Avodart®): This is a more potent hair loss treatment than finasteride but also comes with the risk of additional side effects.²⁰

This can vary from patient to patient and treatment to treatment. But on average, results should begin to appear after three to six months.²¹

This can vary depending on each patient’s tolerance for medication.

For men, dutasteride is more effective than finasteride, but comes with a higher risk of side effects. Studies have also shown that finasteride is more effective than minoxidil, and that combining finasteride and minoxidil may provide better results than using either individually.²²

In some cases, yes, and this may make treatment more effective. Discuss combination treatments with your healthcare provider to make sure your medications interact safely.

Shampoos can’t treat the cause of your hair loss, but some ingredients are better than others. If you’re experiencing hair loss, pick a shampoo that’s moisturizing and includes an active ingredient like ketoconazole to improve hair health.²³

Learn more about dandruff shampoo in our blog Dandruff Shampoo: Ciclopirox (Loprox®) vs. Ketoconazole (Nizoral®).

Hair loss medication is not a permanent cure. If you stop treatment, the newly grown hair will eventually fall out.²⁴

The type of temporary hair loss caused by a stressor or change to your body is called telogen effluvium. This can be an acute (short-term) or chronic (long-term) condition.

• Acute stress hair loss lasts fewer than six months, and your hair loss tends to happen two to three months after a stressor or change to your body. In 95% of cases, acute telogen effluvium goes away on its own.

• Chronic stress hair loss lasts longer than six months. It affects your entire scalp and may not have a clear cause. You may lose your hair in handfuls during the early stages, but it won’t cause total baldness.

Because one of the main causes is a stressor on your body, it’s important to identify the cause. Once you address the cause, most cases will resolve without treatment within six to eight months.

Even though stress hair loss should resolve on its own, common treatments may include medications like minoxidil tablet or minoxidil foam, taking multivitamins or supplements that contain iron and biotin, and modifying your hairstyle technique.²⁵

Biotin is a B vitamin that contains essential proteins that help with the development of your skin, nails and hair. It does not help regrow hair, but it has been shown to help with preventing balding and hair loss.²⁶

Collagen may help improve your hair by providing amino acids and helping fight damaged hair follicles. It may also slow down thinning and graying. However, research on the effects of collagen on human hair is limited.²⁷

A well-balanced diet is the first key to healthy hair. But you may still need extra help to kick-start your hair restoration.²⁸ The best vitamins for hair growth include B vitamins, vitamin D, vitamin E, zinc, biotin and iron.²⁹

Other natural supplements that may help with hair loss include pumpkin seed oil, capsaicin and isoflavone, omegas 3 and 6 with antioxidants, and apple nutraceutical.³⁰

Yes. RedBox Rx offers the following prescription treatment options for hair loss:

• Minoxidil Tablet for Men & Women (Generic Loniten®)

• Minoxidil Foam for Men & Women (Generic Rogaine®)

• Finasteride for Men (Generic Propecia®)

• Dutasteride for Men (Generic Avodart®)

19. Mayo Clinic

20. American Hair Loss Association

21. Cleveland Clinic

22. National Library of Medicine

23. Cleveland Clinic

24. Mayo Clinic

25. Cleveland Clinic

26. Cleveland Clinic

27. Healthline

28. Cleveland Clinic

29. Forbes

30. ABC News