Steroids are often associated with many different side effects, including hair loss. The medical term for hair loss caused by steroids is alopecia, and it can happen in several different forms, each of which has its symptoms and specific causes.
Many people know that using steroids can cause hair loss, but they do not realize how bad the problem can get. With long-term steroid use, the hair loss could become so severe that it might end up causing bald spots on your head or even on your eyebrows and eyelashes!
If you are curious about why steroids cause hair loss, follow along as we explain what causes steroid-related hair loss and the types of hair loss it can lead to.
Read on to learn more!
What Are Steroids?
Anabolic steroids are man-made substances that imitate the effects of testosterone, the male sex hormone. When a person takes these drugs, they stimulate the growth of muscles and cause male characteristics such as facial hair to develop.
Men take anabolic steroids to build muscle mass, increase strength and enhance performance. The drug causes a spike in testosterone levels, leading to more severe side effects than those experienced by women.
One side effect is hair loss, which can result from an enlarged prostate gland or may be caused by direct irritation of the scalp.
Types of Hair Loss
These benefits come with a cost. However - some men who take steroids experience side effects like premature balding or even permanent alopecia.
The most common type of hair loss from taking anabolic steroids is telogen effluvium (TE). In this balding pattern, the telogen phase lasts longer than usual, and about 5% more strands of hair enter this phase each day than before steroid use.
These hairs eventually shed out naturally, but if TE persists for more than six months after quitting steroid use, it can lead to permanent alopecia or complete baldness.
Other types of hair loss include sudden onset (diffuse) alopecia which often affects young males aged 18-25. It occurs when testosterone levels are too high, and a male's body goes into overdrive to produce extra DHT. Severe cases of diffuse alopecia will show symptoms all over the head.
In contrast, milder cases may only affect a small patch on the scalp. Some people also suffer from traction alopecia, where the hair follicle becomes damaged due to constant pulling or tugging, such as those that frequently wear their hair in braids.
Scalp reduction surgery is usually recommended as a treatment. Treatment should be taken seriously because it may result in permanent baldness, so wearing a wig until full recovery is advised.
Can I Prevent Baldness with Steroid Use?
The most likely culprit for hair loss is the increased testosterone levels that come with steroid use. Testosterone causes the body to stop producing its hair supply, causing a bald patch or a receding hairline.
The best way to prevent baldness while taking steroids is to stop taking them altogether. If you are going to keep taking steroids, then you should make sure you take it easy on your scalp by wearing a hat or beanie when outside in the cold or if there are high winds (to avoid additional stress), so it does not have any adverse effects on your hair growth.
What Is an Option If Baldness Occurs?
In the case of hair loss due to steroids, hairpieces for men can help. You could also invest in a custom-made hairpiece tailored specifically to your needs. Custom hairpieces can be created specifically for your head shape, so they will stay on better and match your hair color more accurately. A custom-made hairpiece will give you back your self-confidence and help maintain what little hair you have left!
Hairpieces are a great solution if you are looking for an alternative to surgery or other medical treatments that may not be appropriate. The scalp is quite sensitive and prone to scarring; any operation where the scalp is cut open will leave some scarring. That's why it's important to speak with a qualified specialist before taking any surgical route.
Additionally, many types of hair loss are caused by different things like medications, autoimmune diseases or thyroid issues; these reasons require specific treatment that isn't necessarily provided through surgery or medication.
Final Thoughts on Whether Steroids Cause Hair Loss
We have learned that steroids can cause hair loss but the extent of the hair loss will vary from person to person. So, if you do work out, for example, and use steroids then you will have to be aware of the consequences.
Hair loss does not have to be the end of the world as there are solutions out there and perhaps none more so than men’s hairpieces. Hairpieces can restore your hair to its former glory and potentially give you a whole new lease of life. So, if steroids do cause you hair loss then don’t despair!
