By Dr. Teresa Alasio
Few things are more distressing than noticing hair thinning or extra shedding. It happens to both women and men, and, in most cases, is largely temporary. The causes of hair loss can be multifactorial and range from hormonal shifts, nutritional deficiencies, and medication effects to physical or emotional stress, rapid weight loss, and underlying medical conditions such as thyroid or autoimmune disorders. Because of this wide range, identifying the cause of hair loss is key to recovery.
The Hair Growth Cycle — and Why It Matters
Hair doesn’t grow continuously. Each strand cycles through three main phases: growth (anagen), rest (telogen), and shedding (exogen). When a stressor disrupts this rhythm, more hairs than usual enter the shedding phase at once — a condition called telogen effluvium.
This can lead to diffuse thinning over the scalp, often noticed a few months after the triggering event. While it can feel alarming, this type of hair loss is usually reversible once the underlying cause resolves.
Common Triggers for Temporary Hair Loss
Stress and Illness
Physical or emotional stress — including surgery, illness, or even a difficult life event — can shock the hair follicles into dormancy. As your body and mind recover, your hair cycle resets, with regrowth typically beginning within 3–6 months.
Postpartum Hair Loss
Many women shed hair after pregnancy due to shifting hormone levels. Thick, full hair during pregnancy is linked to increased estrogen, but after delivery, estrogen drops sharply, causing a wave of shedding. This resolves naturally over time.
GLP-1 Medications (Ozempic, Wegovy, Zepbound, etc.)
Increasingly, patients report hair thinning after starting GLP-1 receptor agonists for weight loss — often related to rapid weight loss and nutrient depletion. Adequate protein, vitamins, and hydration can help.
Nutritional Deficiencies
Low iron, vitamin D, or protein may contribute to shedding. Blood tests can pinpoint deficiencies, and supplementation may restore growth.
Thyroid and Hormonal Imbalances
Both overactive and underactive thyroid function can cause hair loss, as can changes in estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone. Hair often recovers once hormones are corrected.
Hair Loss in Women vs. Men
While many causes of hair loss are shared between women and men, the patterns and underlying influences often differ.
In Women:
Hormonal changes play a major role. Postpartum shifts, perimenopause, thyroid imbalance, or changes in birth control can all disrupt the hair growth cycle. Women are also more susceptible to nutritional deficiencies (especially iron and vitamin D) and to diffuse shedding patterns rather than distinct bald spots.
In Men:
Hair loss is more commonly driven by genetics and hormones — specifically androgenetic alopecia, or male-pattern baldness. This type of thinning follows a predictable pattern (receding hairline or crown thinning) and tends to be gradual and progressive over time. Stress or illness can still trigger temporary shedding, but hereditary factors are often the main driver.
Regardless of gender, a thorough evaluation is key. Understanding whether the loss is temporary and reactive or patterned and genetic determines the most effective treatment plan.
Treatment Approaches for Temporary Hair Loss (Telogen Effluvium)
Effective care for telogen effluvium focuses on root cause resolution and gentle, localized therapies rather than systemic hormonal medication:
Nutrition and Supplementation:
Addressing iron, vitamin D, and protein deficiencies is fundamental, since low levels directly contribute to shedding and poor regrowth. Protein-rich foods, green vegetables, and targeted supplements (when deficiencies are documented) can restore follicle health.
Topical and Low-Dose Oral Minoxidil:
Minoxidil remains a leading option for stimulating new growth in temporary hair loss. Topical minoxidil (2–5%) is fully FDA-approved and consistently increases hair counts and thickness after several months of use.
Low-dose oral minoxidil (0.25–5 mg/day) is emerging as an alternative for patients intolerant of topical forms; studies now show similar efficacy and safety, with 35–47% of patients seeing significant improvement and nearly a quarter stabilizing their hair loss. Most side effects are mild, with oral minoxidil causing more generalized hair growth (hypertrichosis) and occasional pedal edema, while topical use is more likely to cause scalp irritation.
Non-Hormonal Topical Biologic Therapies (e.g., DERIVE):
Plant-based exosomes and active peptides target scalp health and follicle turnover without hormonal side effects. These treatments are hormone-free and locally active, increasingly popular among women seeking nontoxic support.
Regenerative Treatments:
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and microneedling enhance scalp healing and follicle activation, as clinical results show improved density and faster recovery for certain hair loss types.
Lifestyle and Scalp Care:
Stress reduction, gentle cleansing, avoiding tight hairstyles and heat, and mindfulness practices all help shorten the duration of shedding and support regrowth.
Low-Level Laser Therapy:
Laser devices promote follicle metabolism and scalp circulation, supplementing other therapies for chronic shedding or slow recovery.
These treatments are best tailored to each patient’s needs, often combined for the greatest benefit, and avoid the risks associated with systemic hormone-altering drugs.
Why Finasteride (Propecia) Is Not Recommended for Temporary Hair Loss
Finasteride, a DHT-blocking drug approved for male pattern baldness, is not helpful in stress related hair loss (telogen effluvium), which is triggered by temporary disruptions in the hair growth cycle rather than excess dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Clinical studies show that finasteride had little to no benefit for women unless androgenetic alopecia is present, and topical forms can still cause systemic side effects: mood changes, sexual dysfunction, menstrual irregularity, and possible breast tissue effects. Telogen effluvium is fundamentally different from male pattern hair loss, and using finasteride exposes patients—especially women—to unnecessary risks without added benefit.
The Outlook
Most forms of temporary hair loss resolve naturally within several months after the trigger passes. While waiting can be frustrating, it’s important to remember your follicles remain alive — and the right local treatments can speed recovery, strengthen growth, and preserve fullness. Most importantly, patients experiencing temporary hair loss need to understand that the most effective treatments are as much about healing the body as they are about treating the scalp.
The information presented is meant for educational purposes and not meant as a substitute for medical advice. If you have a specific medical concern, please consult with your medical provider.
Dr. Teresa Alasio is the Owner and Medical Director of Intentional Self Aesthetics, located in Downtown New Canaan. She lives in New Canaan with her family and is recovering from telogen effluvium caused by stress from raising two teenage boys, among other things.
