Do antidepressants cause thinning hair?

Antidepressants typically cause a type of hair loss called telogen effluvium. It is one of two types of drug-induced hair loss and can develop as a possible side effect of many widely used medications and supplements.

Is hair loss from antidepressants permanent?

The good news is that this type of hair loss is not permanent. Generally speaking, people will recover completely without any outside assistance in about six months once the medication is discontinued.

Which antidepressant causes the least amount of hair loss?

Compared with bupropion, all other antidepressants had a lower risk of hair loss, with fluoxetine and paroxetine having the lowest risk [hazard ratio (HR)=0.68, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.63-0.74, HR=0.68, 95% CI: 0.62-0.74, respectively] and fluvoxamine having the highest risk (HR=0.93, 95% CI: 0.64-1.37).

Can SSRI cause hair thinning?

Drug-induced hair loss usually occurs within the first 3 months of the treatment [12]. In addition, other antidepressant medications may cause telogen hair loss too. Fluoxetine is the most common SSRI causing hair loss [13].

Can your thinning hair grow back?

If the reason for thinning hair is genetics, it will not grow back on its own. To grow back a healthy, full head of hair, you’ll need to take action, and that involves reviewing different hair loss options. … 75 percent of men in the United States suffer from hair loss to some extent.

What anxiety medication does not cause hair loss?

Compared with bupropion (an atypical antidepressant), all other antidepressants had a lower risk of hair loss, with fluoxetine (brand name Prozac) and paroxetine (brand name Paxil) showing the lowest risk. Conversely, fluvoxamine (brand name Luvox), had the highest risk compared with Wellbutrin (Etminan, 2018).

Is Zoloft making my hair fall out?

Sertraline can cause hair loss, sertraline and fluoxetine may have different effects on hair loss due to different dopaminergic effects, other SSRIs have been shown to rarely cause hair loss.

Can paroxetine cause hair loss?

Antidepressants and mood stabilizers

Some people who take medications for depression and mood stabilization may experience hair loss. Drugs that may cause this include: paroxetine hydrochloride (Paxil) sertraline (Zoloft)

Does anxiety cause hair loss?

Although the hair will grow back, continued anxiety and stress can cause the hair loss to continue leading to different patches of hair and baldness. Telogen Effluvium (TE). This is the second most common form of hair loss. In essence, it occurs when there is a change in the number of hair follicles growing hair.


Can thin hair become thick again?

Whilst thinning hair caused by Male Pattern Baldness will not ‘get thicker’ again of its own accord, where Telogen Effluvium is the only issue, normal hair growth can resume without intervention so the hair should return to its previous density within approximately six months.

How can I reactivate my hair follicles?

Minoxidil. One very good medication to reactivate dormant hair follicles is minoxidil. Applied regularly to the scalp, minoxidil can re-grow hair that has completely stopped growing. The only caveat is that once you start taking it, you’ll have to keep taking it indefinitely.

How can I thicken my thinning hair?

How to get thicker hair, 5 different ways
  1. Use a volumizing shampoo or thickening shampoo. …
  2. Reach for thickening hair products. …
  3. Eat a hair-thickening diet. …
  4. Exfoliate your scalp. …
  5. Stay away from hot tools as much as possible.

What medications cause hair loss in females?

Many different types of drugs are thought to cause hair loss, including:
  • Acne medications containing vitamin A (retinoids)
  • Antibiotics and antifungal drugs.
  • Antidepressants.
  • Birth control pills.
  • Anticlotting drugs.
  • Cholesterol-lowering drugs.
  • Drugs that suppress the immune system.

What medication can you get for hair loss?

The most common options include:
  • Minoxidil (Rogaine). Over-the-counter (nonprescription) minoxidil comes in liquid, foam and shampoo forms. …
  • Finasteride (Propecia). This is a prescription drug for men. …
  • Other medications. Other oral options include spironolactone (Carospir, Aldactone) and oral dutasteride (Avodart).

Why am I suddenly shedding so much hair?

But many women commonly experience hair shedding, thanks to stress and lack of nutrients (like vitamins B, D, and zinc). “Another common reason for excess hair fall is hormonal changes, particularly in women,” Burg adds. “These can happen with pregnancy, childbirth, a change in contraceptive pill, or during menopause.

Why is my hair going thin?

Thinning hair can be caused by many factors, including genes, diet, stress, and illness, says Lisa Salmon. … Reasons for thinning hair can range from simple and temporary – such as a vitamin deficiency – to much more complex underlying health problems.

How do I know if my hair loss is stress related?

If your daily hair fall is more than the usual 80-100 strands of hair, you might be suffering from stress-related hair loss. If you notice bald patches on your scalp, it may be a sign of Alopecia Areata. If you have had the urge to pull out your hair, it may be stress-induced Trichotillomania.

How can I stimulate my hair follicles for hair growth?

Natural Remedies To Help Promote Hair Growth
  1. Massage your scalp with essential oils, several of which are natural remedies for hair regrowth. …
  2. Take a vitamin B supplement. …
  3. Brush your hair every morning with a naturally bristled brush, for example with boar bristles, since brushing can stimulate your hair follicles.

Does biotin help thicken hair?

The bottom line. If you’re experiencing hair thinning or hair loss, biotin may assist in regrowth. There’s some research to suggest that increased biotin intake can improve overall hair quality, including thickness and shine.

What vitamins thicken your hair?

Here are six of our favorite vitamins and supplements that can help keep hair thick and full.
  • Biotin. If you’ve looked into hair growth vitamins in the past, you’ve probably run across biotin, also called B7, or vitamin H. …
  • Vitamin C. …
  • Vitamin D. …
  • Iron. …
  • Zinc. …
  • Protein.

Can not washing hair cause hair loss?

Remember, it’s perfectly normal to lose anywhere between 50 to 100 hairs a day—so it’s only natural to see some of this loss when you suds up. In fact, when you don’t wash your hair enough, you allow oils and dirt to build up on your scalp and clog your pores, paving the way for actual hair loss.

Should you brush your hair if it is thinning?

A soft bristle brush is best for thinning hair because it’s gentle and won’t rip out your hair. If you’re looking for more volume at the crown, you can use a teasing brush, which is smaller and designed to reach the root of the hair.

What should I eat for thick hair?

Here are the 14 best foods you can eat to promote hair growth.
  1. Eggs. Eggs are a great source of protein and biotin, two nutrients that may promote hair growth. …
  2. Berries. Berries are loaded with beneficial compounds and vitamins that may promote hair growth. …
  3. Spinach. …
  4. Fatty Fish. …
  5. Sweet Potatoes. …
  6. Avocados. …
  7. Nuts. …
  8. Seeds.

How do I fix my thinning hair?

6 Treatments for Hair Thinning That May Actually Work
  1. Minoxidil (Rogaine). This medication is a foam or a liquid that you put on your scalp. …
  2. Finasteride (Propecia). This prescription medication is a pill you take by mouth. …
  3. Microneedling. …
  4. Hair transplant. …
  5. Low-level laser therapy. …
  6. Platelet-rich plasma.

What is the best treatment for female hair loss?

Minoxidil (Rogaine) 5% is the only topical medication approved by the FDA for female-pattern hair loss. The once daily use foam treatment regrows hair in 81% of the women who try it.

Why is my hair so thin female?

In other cases, thinning hair is triggered by something going on inside the body — for instance, a thyroid problem, a shift in hormones, a recent pregnancy, or an inflammatory condition. Hair loss may also be genetic. The most common genetic condition is known as female-pattern hair loss, or androgenic alopecia.

How often should you wash thin hair?

“People with fine hair should be shampooing three to four times a week, and using conditioner only one to two times a week,” he says. Oropeza also emphasizes the importance of how to condition by recommending that we always steer clear of the scalp and stick to the ends.