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Could Your Medication Cause Hair Loss?
by April Maguire
For many of us, hair isn’t just something that grows on the top of our heads. It’s also an important aspect of our personal style and identity, affecting the way others perceive us as well as how we see ourselves. As a result, hair loss can have a profound and devastating effect on our lives.
While many people assume that loss of hair is hereditary, the truth is that a number of medications can cause changes to the color, texture and even volume of the hair on your head. If you think you may be suffering from drug-based hair loss, don’t hesitate to speak to your doctor about ways to reverse this devastating condition.
Causes of Hair Loss
Typically, medication-based hair loss falls into two categories. Striking during the anagen phase of hair growth, anagen effluvium occurs when matrix cells fail to divide normally and produce new hair. Most common in chemotherapy patients, anagen effluvium often causes patients to lose all the hair on their heads and bodies.
Less severe than anagen effluvium, telogen effluvium occurs when hair follicles enter the resting period of development too early and fall out. People with this condition may lose up to 150 hairs a day. Knowing what drugs cause telogen effluvium is the best way to avoid being caught unaware by this painful condition.
What Drugs Cause Hair Loss
While rare, hair loss can occur as a side effect of a number of drugs. Here are some of the most common medications known to cause telogen effluvium:
- Beta blockers
- Anti-seizure medications
- Retinoids
- Antidepressants and antianxiety drugs
- Vitamin A (in large quantities)
Additionally, aromatase inhibitors and other hormone-blocking drugs given to breast cancer patients have been known to cause hair thinning and loss.
Don’t Suffer Hair Loss in Silence
Medication-induced hair loss can have a serious effect on both your appearance and your self esteem. However, the good news is that this condition is generally reversible. In some cases, your physician may be able to prescribe another drug that treats your underlying condition without affecting hair growth. If you do have to stay on your current meds, ask your doctor about available treatment options and products to make your hair look fuller and healthier. Thanks to human hair extensions and other amazing innovations, you don’t have to let medication-based hair loss stop you from having the mane of your dreams.
If you or someone you know wants to know more about hair loss, please feel free to schedule a consultation or contact one of our representatives today!
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