What Are the Causes of Facial Hair Loss?

Unfortunately, many people find themselves losing hair, whether it is hair on the head, or hair on the face, even body hair. There is usually a reason for any hair loss whether it is self-inflicted, or due to a medical condition. Facial hair loss, though not as common as hair loss on the head, is a problem for some people. Anytime someone loses hair unexpectedly on their body, it can be unnerving.

Reasons

• You can lose hair because of physical or mental stress. Medication may cause hair loss. Loss of facial hair is primarily a male problem. Loss of facial hair may affect a man's psychological well-being.

Losing Your Eyelashes; One Type of Facial Hair Loss

• Eyelashes may fall out or they may begin to thin. Often, loss of eyelashes is due to a medical condition called blepharitis. This is an inflammation of the eyelid that causes redness, irritation, swelling, dry eyelids, flaky skin,and loss of eyelashes. It is more common in people with red hair, and elderly people. Both men and women can be affected. It can be related to seborrhea, which is related to eczema. Usually the infection must be treated. Once the infection is gone, the eyelashes usually grow back.

Loss of Facial Hair Due to Genetics

• Some men may lose their facial hair because it is in the genes. A young man may be able to grow a mustache, a beard and sideburns. But as he ages, his facial hair may start thinning. This may be due to genetics.

Loss of Facial Hair Due to Radiation and Chemotherapy

• A common cause of facial hair loss is chemotherapy or radiation. Radiation is the most common cause of hair loss due to an illness. Radiation can cause eyelashes to fall out. It can also affect eyebrows, the hair on your face and chin and hair on the head. Once the treatments end, the hair will grow back.

Loss of Facial Hair Due to Trauma

• Sometimes there is a trauma involved to the skin that damages not only the skin, but the hair follicles. This will then affect the ability to grow hair. The main type of injury that does this is burns. When there is extensive burning to the skin, it destroys the hair follicles, as well as the sweat glands. The destruction will not only leave the skin scarred, but unable to regrow hair. This is true of all areas of the body, so if someone is severely burned on the face, he will not only lose their facial hair he has. but the ability to regrow that hair on his face.

Treating Facial Hair Loss

• Hair can be transplanted to the face. Testosterone is a key hormone responsible for hair growth. A doctor may prescribe testosterone for a man who loses his facial hair.

Warnings About Medications and Treatment For Facial Hair

• All medications come with warnings, side effects and considerations. It is never a good idea to start taking any medication without first talking to your doctor. It is also dangerous to use someone else's medication without first seeking your own medical advice. For instance, using someone else's testosterone medication can be dangerous.