8 Types of Drugs That Could Cause Hair Loss

Table Of Content

• How to treat hair loss from medication
• What Medications Can Cause Hair Loss? 46 Known Drugs
• Anti-clotting drugs
• What makes alopecia worse?
• How do trees and green spaces enhance our health?
• Do not sell my personal information Privacy Policy and Terms of Use
• Hair loss in the telogen phase

The extent and duration of hair loss depend on the medication that the person is taking, as well as the dosage. Hair transplant surgery or laser therapy may also be right for you if you’re experiencing pattern baldness. Some forms of hair loss are temporary, while others, like pattern baldness, are permanent.

How to treat hair loss from medication

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Most medications that cause hair loss affect hairs in the resting phase. The effects of drug-induced alopecia often appear within 3 months of an individual starting on a particular medication. Drug-induced hair loss, like any other type of hair loss, can have a real effect on your self-esteem. The good news is that in most cases, it's reversible once you stop taking the drug.

What Medications Can Cause Hair Loss? 46 Known Drugs

Anagen effluvium is hair loss that occurs during the anagen phase of the hair cycle, when the hairs are actively growing. It prevents the matrix cells, which produce new hairs, from dividing normally. This type of hair loss usually occurs within a few days to weeks after taking the medication. There is a very likely chance that if you're experiencing hair loss primarily as a result of a drug you're taking, the hair will grow back on its own once you stop taking the medication. It’s important to talk to your doctor before stopping, as the medication is certainly a necessary one for whatever medical condition it’s treating.

Anti-clotting drugs

A typical hair transplant involves removing patches of hair from your head and reinserting the hair follicle by follicle into the bald sections. She had kidney disease, endured regular dialysis and had undergone an aggressive medical regimen after doctors discovered blood clots. Other mood stabilizers, such as lithium, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), and bupropion may also cause hair loss. ​Michelle Crouch is a contributing writer who has covered health and personal finance for some of the nation’s top consumer publications. Her work has appeared in Reader’s Digest, Real Simple, Prevention, The Washington Post and The New York Times.

What Types of Drugs Cause Hair Loss?

Treatment for this type of hair loss centers around treating the active fungal infection. Most baldness is caused by genetics (male-pattern baldness and female-pattern baldness). Minoxidil stimulates hair growth and should be used with other treatments. Medications that treat thyroid disorders may cause hair-related effects, such as hair loss, dryness, or brittleness. However, thyroid conditions can also contribute to hair thinning and shedding, so it might be difficult to know whether the hair loss is due to your medication or the condition. Hair loss with SSRIs and bupropion, although possible, is not as common.

What makes alopecia worse?

According to the American Academy of Dermatology, it’s completely normal to shed anywhere between 50 to 100 strands of hair per day. However, if you’ve noticed more strands falling out of your head than normal, you may be experiencing alopecia, the medical term for hair loss. Common diagnoses include androgenetic alopecia, alopecia areata, telogen effluvium, and lymphocytic scarring alopecia, Agbai tells USA TODAY. Genetics, hormonal changes, inflammation and even certain diseases — including, in some cases, COVID-19 — can trigger temporary or permanent hair loss. And prescription drugs may also trigger excessive and sudden shedding.

How do trees and green spaces enhance our health?

Our hair goes through different stages of growth, and the type of hair loss is usually classified based on what stage of growth your hair is in when it falls out. People should also speak to a doctor to determine whether another underlying issue may be causing hair loss. If stopping or switching medication is not an option, people may be able to slow the rate or hair loss or help reverse hair loss using home remedies and natural solutions. Many prescription and some over-the-counter medications can cause hair loss as a side effect. Supplements, topical applications, and changing medications may help to resolve hair loss. Your appearance, and therefore your hair, can be a source of confidence.

It may be a surprise to you when you first start noticing your hair thinning or begin to see the early signs of hair loss. Maybe, it’s even something that you’ve been aware of for a while and are starting to wonder which medications are available. Either way, addressing hair loss as soon as possible could help you hold onto your hair, slow hair thinning, or even promote hair regrowth. Telogen effluvium is the more common type of drug induced hair loss and can develop as a possible side effect from a wide variety of medications and supplements.

A person should use birth control to prevent pregnancy if they want to take spironolactone. A person should not use minoxidil if they do not know the cause of their hair loss. Choosing the right medication to manage your hair loss may be a difficult task. It is important to talk to your healthcare provider and work with them to help choose the best medication for you.

Some small, limited studies have found that certain supplements and shampoos could be helpful, dermatologists say. However, your best bet if you’re suffering from hair loss is to see a board-certified dermatologist who can determine what’s causing your alopecia and then recommend a treatment plan. By contrast, scarring alopecia, another autoimmune disease that causes hair loss, is often accompanied by itchiness, tenderness and scaling of the scalp. Scarring alopecia is the most devastating type of hair loss, Mirmirani says, because it permanently destroys the hair follicles.

Minoxidil is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a treatment for female pattern hair loss. The type of drug, type of hair loss, dosage, and your sensitivity to the drug are all important factors in how severe the side effects will be. The hair loss that occurs as a result of medication use can affect all hair growing on the body. A 2017 pilot study involving 100 females with hair loss concluded that combining spironolactone with minoxidil may be a safe and effective treatment for FPHL.

Both the CDC and the FDA warn against treating this common childhood condition on your own with non-prescription treatments. There are also some anticonvulsant medications, such as valproic acid, carbamazepine, and phenytoin, as well as certain antidepressant drugs, such as lithium, that may be linked alopecia. Individuals who cannot visit or do not feel comfortable consulting a physician in person can consider using a telehealth service to discuss their hair loss and get a prescription. BlinkRx is an online pharmacy that claims to provide people with the lowest prescription prices for a wide range of medications. Older research showed that in a group of over 2,500 Japanese men, 87% saw an increase in hair growth. 11% of men saw a significant increase in hair, with 36% experiencing a moderate improvement.

When you notice the signs of hair loss, your confidence may waver. A folic acid supplement, commonly co-prescribed with methotrexate, can help keep your hair healthy, but does not encourage hair growth. If hair loss is affecting your appearance and self-confidence, your healthcare provider may try to lower your dosage or switch you to another medication to see if that solves the issue.

"Hair loss has been listed as one of the more common side effects of these drugs," Dr. Jaliman says. But most of the time, it's mild enough that patients can successfully stay on these medications. On average, it takes at least six months to see a noticeable difference in hair loss after starting spironolactone. Because of the side effects it can have on males, oral Aldactone is only recommended for use in female-pattern hair loss. Propecia works by targeting the protein that converts testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a more potent form of testosterone.

If your dermatologist suspects that the cause of your hair loss could be a disease, vitamin deficiency, hormone imbalance, or infection, you may need a blood test or scalp biopsy. A dermatologist is a medical doctor who specializes in treating the skin, hair, and nails. There are many medications that can cause hair loss in some individuals, without causing any problems in other people. Some medications, such as finasteride and spironolactone, are only available with a doctor’s prescription. Individuals must answer an online questionnaire indicating whether they have a receding hairline, thinning at the crown, overall hair loss, and more. Roman provides prescription and OTC medications for hair loss, erectile dysfunction, and premature ejaculation.

Hair loss Diagnosis and treatment

Table Of Content

• Top Health Categories
• Medical Professionals
• Health Writer
• How can I prevent hair loss?
• What color is your tongue? What's healthy, what's not?

Older 2015 research found that almost 75% of study participants with FPHL experienced improvements in their hair loss or that their hair loss stabilized. Dr. Massick also recommends that you ask your doctor to check your iron and ferritin levels, since both are important for hair growth. During normal hair cycling, the majority of follicles — around 90 percent — are in the anagen or growth phase, per the ‌Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology‌ study. In people with hair loss who also have low iron levels, it is recommended to supplement them with iron.

Top Health Categories

Minimize the use of high-heat styling tools, hair extensions and harsh treatments like perms. Avoid hairstyles like tight buns and braids that pull on your scalp, potentially causing traction alopecia. If you often wear a hairstyle like braids or a tight bun that puts prolonged strain or stress on the hair follicle, that can cause a type of permanent hair loss called traction alopecia. When it comes to treating drug-related hair loss, the good news is that hair often grows back. Research suggests that drug-induced alopecia is usually reversible once you’ve stopped taking the medication that causes hair loss (Llau, 1995). A doctor may also be able to tell people whether their hair will start to grow back by itself or whether they will need treatment for hair loss.

Medical Professionals

“For sensitive or acne-prone skin, either frequent pillowcase changes or wearing a hair bonnet after serum application may be helpful,” she says. But these do take longer to work, as supplements “must first be metabolized by the body and dispersed by the bloodstream to be beneficial,” says Dr. Shaver. And oral supplements may have more systemic side effects and interactions with other medications, so it’s especially important to check with your doctor before taking a supplement. For instance, if your hair tends to be dry, then “look for serums that contain oils to help hydrate the dry hair shaft,” says Dr. Shaver.

Health Writer

Here, dermatologists share what you need to know about alopecia, including possible causes, treatment options and what you can do to prevent more hair loss. The first step is to review your medical history, medications, and hair loss progression with a healthcare provider. Many drugs do list hair loss as a side effect, so don’t be afraid to do your own research online or talk with a pharmacist prior to meeting with your physician. Sometimes called blood thinners, anticoagulants help prevent dangerous blood clots that form in your heart or blood vessels and lead to a heart attack or stroke.

Tinea capitis, also called ringworm of the scalp, is a fungal infection that can affect the scalp and hair shaft. Over time, if not treated early, the size of the patch or patches will increase and fill with pus. This usually happens because of radiation treatment or chemotherapy.

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How can I prevent hair loss?

A treatment plan for hair loss may include one or more of the following. Once your dermatologist finds the cause(s), your dermatologist will tell you whether treatment is recommended. Sometimes, your hair will regrow on its own, making treatment unnecessary. For example, a woman may have had a baby a few months ago, and this may be causing obvious hair shedding. Free to everyone, these materials teach young people about common skin conditions, which can prevent misunderstanding and bullying.

Aldactone is a prescription-only diuretic medication that can be used off-label for hair loss. It works by slowing down the production of sex hormones that are responsible for causing hair loss. As an antiandrogenic drug, it can help treat hair loss from hormonal or androgenic causes. For this reason, Rogaine was developed as a topical formulation and is now approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for androgenic alopecia. It has also been used off-label to treat other hair loss conditions, such as alopecia areata.

What color is your tongue? What's healthy, what's not?

It is worth noting that this method is unlikely to benefit or help people with scarring alopecias. If they suspect an autoimmune or skin condition, they might take a biopsy of the skin on your scalp. This involves carefully removing several small sections of skin for laboratory testing. Traction alopecia results from too much pressure and tension on the hair, often from wearing it in tight styles, like braids, ponytails, or buns. For the purposes of this article, we use “male” and “female” to refer to a person’s sex assigned at birth. To use minoxidil, you apply it to the scalp as directed, usually once or twice a day.

Drugs for Alzheimer's disease

Postural hypotension may also occur, causing dizziness and lightheadedness. There are several safety concerns a person should consider before using spironolactone. Please note that the writer of this article has not tried these products.

Doctors originally prescribed minoxidil for severe high blood pressure but found it caused excessive hair growth in its oral form in 20% of users. Scientists developed a topical version in 1987 specifically for androgenic alopecia in males and then later for female pattern hair loss (FPHL). Most hair loss that occurs from medication is known as telogen effluvium. However, other drugs, such as some chemotherapy drugs, can cause hair loss by affecting hairs during the anagen, or growing, phase, which is known as anagen effluvium.

Trying to tell if you’re actually losing hair or just experiencing some normal shedding? Read on for more information about hair loss and how to manage it. While your hair may regrow on its own, your dermatologist may recommend treatment to help it grow more quickly. There's good news though, as these changes in your hair are typically reversible once you stop taking the drug that’s causing them. Firstly, a comprehensive medical history should be taken, including all medication doses and changes. This should be observed alongside the reported symptoms and the date that the hair loss began.

In her spare time she loves to explore the world and learn about new cultures and languages. Some are available OTC, while others require a doctor’s prescription. A person must send BlinkRx their prescription and pay online before it ships the medication to their home or local pharmacy. A person can get a 3-month supply of both treatments for $35 per month.

These Are the 10 Best Bob Hairstyles for Curly Hair, According to a Hair Expert

Table Of Content

• Middle Part with Long Layers
• Awesome Party Hairstyles for Medium Hair
• Short Cut with Long Bangs
• Naturally Curly Hairstyles
• Curly Hairstyles That Embrace Your Natural Texture
• Short Stacked Curly Bob

It’s chic and playful, and is great for just about every occasion. A look like this curly pixie is easy to maintain, and looks great as it grows out over time. Use a light cream, like Prose Frizz-Reducing Curl Cream ($25) to add shape and skip frizz. Nothing says low-maintenance like letting your curls do their thing. Add a bit of oil around your scalp and ends to give your hair a bit of TLC, and then enjoy your relaxed look. Speaking of fringe, de Leon says long layers with fringe bangs suit many face shapes.

Middle Part with Long Layers

It’s cool color gradient is so eye-catching and mesmerizing, we just can’t get enough of this eye candy style. Maya Allen is the former Digital Beauty Editor at MarieClaire.com where she covered makeup, skincare, haircare, wellness, you name it! She has a 15-step skincare routine, owns over 200 red lipsticks, and enjoys testing the latest and greatest in beauty. On most weekends, you can find her at her happy place, which is her makeup vanity.

Awesome Party Hairstyles for Medium Hair

This short curly hairstyle is like a shiny halo around the face and is great for any curl type. Two things that go hand in hand are curly hairstyles and layers. Layers help to take some of the bulk out of your curly hair so it can be styled down, without giving you triangle hair. For shoulder-length hair, we love to add in short layers as it allows you to create even more volume in your curly hair.

Short Cut with Long Bangs

Hayek's middle part and natural curls are super natural and understated for the nine-to-five routine. Only wrap the middle section of hair around your curling wand to achieve loose-ended waves like SJP. Get Gwen Stefani's super-curled look by going old-school with over-night curlers.

Always comb your hair from the bottom up.

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To avoid poof, let hair air dry as long as possible, then blow dry hair with a diffuser. Mohawks are cool hairstyles of really tough guys, although that doesn’t scare women. There are, indeed, very few things from the male wardrobe or male hairstyles which women haven’t adopted for themselves. We know how to introduce our special changes, giving a feminine touch to originally fierce male hairstyles. You may cut your sides closely, sleek them up or braid them. Even if someone tells you, it’s not a real Mohawk, who cares?

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Naturally Curly Hairstyles

This deep teal would look great against any hair color, and the thick band with the knot is perfectly on-trend. Leave some curls loose for a half-up, half-down style, or pull it all back into a loose bun. Use a leave-in conditioner and seal with an oil (we're huge fans of Pattern Beauty's Jojoba Oil Hair Serum ($25), which is made with argan oil) to keep kinky curls hydrated.

Curly Hairstyles That Embrace Your Natural Texture

With added braids and twists your curly ponytail can be taken from day to night as a perfect look for girls with shoulder length and long hair. Take a peek at our cute ideas of simple and stylish ponies. "I love to see a loose and carefree style to naturally curly hair, so the hair still moves and has personality," says Downing. Try this lovely layered haircut with tousled curls and side parting. A curly bob like this looks perfect with any hair type, so you definitely won’t regret it. When you have natural curls, styles like this can seem out of reach since frizz is so common with curly hair.

Retro Shag Hairstyle with Layered Curls

Silicones create that lovely shiny, conditioned hair feel, but also block moisture from coming into the hair and can make it feel weighed down, lifeless, and an all-around bummer. Sulfates create that sudsy foam that makes us all feel like we're in a hair commercial but also can remove some of your hair's good oils, making it feel stripped. The blow dryer can be a curly girl's nightmare if used improperly.

It makes for one of the most versatile curly hairstyles out there. “This haircut is very forgiving and is very easy to manage,” she says. Have you always wanted to try hair color, but don’t want to harm the gentle hair texture?

Here is Vogue’s pick of the best curly hairstyles for women to inspire your look now. There’s an undeniable charm to a curly bob, making it a timeless choice for women in their 50s. From asymmetrical cuts with gradual layers to one-length and rounded styles, there’s a diversity of hairstyles for each woman to explore.

Some short curly hairstyles can have a truly breathtaking effect, just like this one! It has a full crown, with texturized ends, thus creating movement and dimension. Additionally, if you finish your style with a shine spray, it will give the same radiant finish to your spiral curls. Medium-length curly hairstyles always give your hair big volume.

You'll fall in love with these romantic, beautiful vintage hairstyles for curly hair. There is no reason you can’t do fun braids with curly hair. It’s one of the more ridiculous “hair rules” we’ve ever heard. We think it looks totally gorgeous because naturally, curly hair has so much texture! You’ll get a more interesting braid that will actually stay braided. When you don’t have any major knots to deal with, tease out the sides of your hair.

Selena Gomez added a slight side part to separate her tresses and create a fuller, more polished hairdo. We can't help but wonder—how are Sarah Jessica Parker's curls always so stunning? Here, she's moved away from her iconic tight curls and gone for an effortless, undone loose style. Shoulder length airy ringlets with equally curly bangs and choppy layers? Adding fringe is always a commitment, but these light and wispy bangs seen on Gabrielle Union allow you to get in on the trend without an overwhelming entrance.

When not working behind the chair, Sarah loves to train new stylists, create tutorials, read and write. There’s no denying the timeless appeal of a bob hairstyle—it’s simple, chic, and incredibly versatile. And 2024 has only propelled the haircuts popularity with an array of trending takes on this classic style.

Both are typically darker at the roots and become lighter towards the ends, but balayage is designed to make your tresses look like they have natural, sun-kissed highlights. It has a a more gradiant transition than ombre coloring and looks particularly beautiful in long curly hairstyles. Curly haircuts done on dry curly hair ensure the cut compliments your curl pattern. If you don’t want extra volume on top, style with straighter roots.

Curly folks know all about a bun, and a curly bang, but what about a hair clip? Find a clip that feels true to you, whether that’s a slogan clip that reads “queen” or one that highlights all of those feelings in rhinestones. De Leon is a fan of long layers for curly and long fine hair to give it shape and body, as seen here on Iman. She says that if you want to add any fringe, keep it light so that it doesn’t overwhelm your fine hair. You can also add some face-framing pieces for some dimension.

17 Curly Hairstyles For Every Hair Type, According to Pros

Table Of Content

• Retro Shag Hairstyle with Layered Curls
• Most Alluring Hairstyles for Frizzy Hair
• Barrel Curls
• Shaggy Black Bob with Bangs
• Don't Throw Out Your Brush

Divide your hair down the middle into two sections, then separate each section into three pieces. Starting at the front and top, create a three-strand braid. Cross the piece on the right into the middle underneath the center piece, then repeat on the left side, gradually adding more hair as you braid down to the bottom.

Retro Shag Hairstyle with Layered Curls

We love how full and luscious this short curly hairstyle is and the vibrant color adds so much life to the cut. It’s a literal drab to fab before and after and we are all about it. This tapered cut on black shiny curls is definitely a statement.

Most Alluring Hairstyles for Frizzy Hair

If your hair is soft, fine and light, it’s a beautiful hair color choice. A full set of thick and luscious bangs bring out all the best aspects of your medium length curly hair. The brown base color with dark blonde highlights helps it look especially well-nourished and healthy.

Barrel Curls

Release it the next day by just shaking it out and tousling it with your fingers. The half-up hairstyle is having a bit of a moment these days with celebs, models and everyday folks rocking this ’90s look from the runways to the streets. A volumizing hairspray imparts your look with a controlled bounce. If you have a tighter curl structure, you may be able to get this kind of volume just by fluffing out your hair with your fingers. For wavy/curly gals, just take a teasing brush and lightly pull back on your curls.

Shaggy Black Bob with Bangs

As Venus Williams shows us, braids and curls are a match made in hair heaven. Leave the top in small micro braids, woven into a crown design before applying some styling cream to the rest of your hair for shiny, bouncy curls through the ends. If you want more definition and have some time on your hands, try finger coiling your curls. Whether you have long locks or a shorter fro like Ice Spice, it’s going to take some time, so don’t say we didn’t warn ya. We recommend popping on your favorite TV show and going to work. If you’re rocking a short haircut, let Samira Wiley’s curly fade lead by example.

With hair that is about shoulder length, doing the flip can let you play around with the look of having curly bangs, without needing to actually cut curly bangs. Side parts are the perfect way to rock a curly hairstyle if you have a long, narrow face. Off-center parts are a great option for long faces because they have a way of making your face appear slightly wider. When you chop your ‘do with blunt ends it will make you look more picturesque by elongating your neck and giving a super classic, yet slightly edgy look.

Don't Throw Out Your Brush

We love our free-flowing curls, but sometimes we like to switch things up. Whether you’re looking for more volume or wanting to define your pattern a bit, we’ve compiled a list of 30 curly hairstyles to try out, from bouncy ponytails to flexi rod swirls. The next step is showing one of these photos to your stylist or attempting to recreate one of the looks right at home.

Gorgeous Wavy Bob Hairstyles with an Extra Touch of Femininity

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Curly hairstyles can be worn in a variety of ways, which is quite practical, because as the weather changes, so does the tightness of your curls. One way to maintain shape and avoid surprises is to cut your hair into a medium length shag. These shaggy layers have a sparkle of babylights, and the big curls do a great job of framing the face. If you’re running out of unique hair color ideas for your wispy, curly locks, look no further. These long pink-blonde tendrils float around the cheeks and eyes in a sea of tender waves.

Side Braids

Mimic this bombshell 'do by wand curling your strands and fluffing out the curls to create your desired volume. This year's Met Gala chef created a vegan dinner for everyone and absolutely killed the red carpet like that was also her job. We already knew she was a star, but this brushed-out hair is giving us major diva vibes in a Diana Ross way. Avoid frizz when brushing your curls with the Innate Life Rose Hair Elixir. We already know that when Law Roach and Zendaya get together, it's a match made in heaven. Not a single curl is out of place in these perfect ringlets that look like they were curled by angels.

The best thing about it is you can load up your hair with nourishing creams and oils to recreate the editorial style while looking after your curls at the same time. Use a texture hair spray to define your curls even more and keep them bouncy for the rest of the day. Shaggy haircuts are probably the best way to show off curls’ texture.

Match the tone of your eyebrows with your roots to give this casual layered cut edgy sophistication. Defining your curls with a styling product is one of the best ways to enhance your waves and make them look even curlier than they already are. This flexible hairstyle can be parted to the side or down the middle. Strategically placed copper highlights, create dimension and show off your curl pattern.

Just in time for fall, a caramel (or dare I say, a gingery pumpkin) color lightly applied throughout makes for seasonally perfect hair. And again, highlights in curly hair are a nonstop illusion of swirling colors. Bey, Bey, Bey, Bey-ond cute, you’ll look just like Beyonce with the fabulous star-struck hairstyle shown here. These tousled, long and loose girly curls create fullness that takes this style to new heights, both in the indirect and direct meaning of the word. If you’re finally ready to take your long curly hair into the medium length world, try styling it with a deep side-part and length that lands right at the shoulder.