Last updated on July 12, 2024
While genetics play a significant role in hair loss, other factors can contribute to thinning hair or baldness, including stress, nutrition, and medical conditions. But let’s look at something a bit different – steroids. So, do steroids cause hair loss? Here, our hair loss clinic explores the link between steroids and hair loss, examining how they affect the body and hair growth, and what you can do if you’re experiencing hair thinning due to steroids.
What Types of Steroids Cause Hair Loss?
The term “steroids” encompasses a broad category of hormones. In the context of hair loss, we’re primarily concerned with anabolic steroids, which are synthetic versions of the male sex hormone testosterone. These drugs are often used by athletes and bodybuilders to enhance muscle growth and performance.
Anabolic steroid use increases your risk of hair loss and can accelerate androgenetic alopecia (male pattern hair loss), a hereditary condition.
How Anabolic Steroids Affect Hair Growth
The link between anabolic steroids and hair loss boils down to their impact on hormones, particularly dihydrotestosterone (DHT), the hormone responsible for male pattern hair loss and one of the leading causes of baldness in men. Here’s how it works:
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Testosterone Conversion
When testosterone enters the body’s cells, an enzyme called 5-alpha reductase converts some of it into dihydrotestosterone (DHT).
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DHT and Hair Follicles
DHT plays a crucial role in male sexual development. However, it also binds to receptors in hair follicles, particularly those on the scalp. This binding can shrink hair follicles over time, leading to shorter hair growth cycles and eventually, hair loss.
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Genetic Predisposition
Not everyone experiences hair loss with increased DHT levels. Genetics play a role in determining how sensitive hair follicles are to DHT’s effects. Individuals with a genetic predisposition for male pattern baldness (androgenic alopecia) are more likely to experience hair loss with elevated DHT levels caused by steroid use.
Types of Steroids and Hair Loss Risk
The risk of hair loss from steroids may vary depending on the type and dosage used. Oral steroids are generally considered more likely to cause hair loss than topical or injectable forms. Additionally, higher doses and longer durations of use increase the risk.
Other Factors Contributing to Hair Loss with Anabolic Steroids
Beyond DHT, other factors associated with steroid use can contribute to hair loss:
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Increased Androgen Production
Some steroids may stimulate the body to produce more androgens overall, not just testosterone, further promoting DHT production and hair loss.
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Nutrient Deficiencies
Steroid use can sometimes lead to nutrient and vitamin deficiencies, which can negatively impact hair health and contribute to hair loss.
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Increased Stress
Steroid use can put stress on the body, and chronic stress is known to disrupt the hair growth cycle and potentially lead to hair loss, including patchy hair loss called alopecia areata.
What to Do if You’re Experiencing Hair Loss from Steroids
If you’re noticing hair loss after starting to use anabolic steroids, here are some steps you can take:
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Consult a Doctor
Discuss your concerns with a doctor at Hair Doctors in Sydney or Melbourne, or consult a dermatologist. They can assess your hair loss pattern, determine the cause, and recommend treatment options.
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Stop Steroid Use
If hair loss is a concern, consider stopping steroid use altogether. This will allow your hormone levels to return to normal and potentially slow down further hair loss.
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Explore Hair Loss Treatments
Depending on the severity and cause of your hair loss, various treatments might be suitable. These include hair loss medications, which target DHT, or hair transplantation for advanced cases.
Remember these Important Considerations
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Individual Results
The impact of steroids on hair loss can vary depending on individual factors like genetics and dosage.
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Focus on Overall Health
Prioritise your overall health by maintaining a balanced diet, getting adequate sleep, and managing stress.
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Consulting a Professional
Consulting a doctor before starting any steroid regimen or hair loss treatment is crucial.
Can I Get a Hair Transplant After Using Anabolic Steroids?
Yes, a hair transplant is a viable and permanent solution to hair loss. It’s generally recommended to wait for at least a year after stopping steroid use before undergoing a hair transplant. This allows your hormone levels to stabilise and ensures the transplanted hair follicles have a better chance of thriving in their new location. At Hair Doctors, we specialise in a range of safe and effective hair loss treatments, including prescription medication, growth factor therapy, and FUE hair transplants. Take a look at our results!
Visit the Leading Hair Loss Clinic in Australia
Hair loss can be a stressful experience. If you’re concerned about steroid-induced hair loss, now is the best time to prioritise your overall health, consult with a doctor or dermatologist to explore treatment options, and consider an experienced hair transplant doctor if your hair loss is significant and has stopped progressing.
A consultation with a qualified hair transplant doctor at Hair Doctors at our Sydney clinic or Melbourne clinic is the best way to determine if you’re a good candidate for this procedure. We can assess your individual situation and discuss the best course of action for achieving your desired results. Contact us today for more information or to find out more about our affordable payment plans. You can also get an online quote here.
FAQs
Will hair loss due to steroids grow back?
Hair loss from anabolic steroids may be reversible if you stop steroid use early enough and your hair follicles haven’t been permanently damaged. Consulting a doctor at a leading hair loss clinic to determine the extent of damage and explore treatment options to slow thinning and promote hair regrowth such as prescription medication, dihydrotestosterone (DHT) blockers and growth factor treatment.
Can I still use steroids and prevent hair loss?
There is no guaranteed way to prevent hair loss completely while using anabolic steroids. However, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, including a balanced diet and stress management, may help minimise the risk and promote healthy hair follicles. Discussing potential side effects and hair loss risks with a doctor before using steroids is crucial.
What types of steroids are most likely to cause hair loss?
Oral steroids generally pose a higher risk of hair loss compared to topical or injectable forms. Additionally, higher doses and longer durations of steroid use significantly increase the risk. This is because oral steroids tend to be more readily absorbed by the body and can lead to larger spikes in DHT levels.
Can hair transplants help with hair loss from steroids?
Yes! Hair transplants are a medical procedure involving transplanting hair follicles from a donor area on the scalp to bald or thinning areas. They can be a viable option for individuals experiencing hair loss due to steroids, even if the hair loss was caused by DHT, the hormone responsible for female and male pattern baldness (androgenetic alopecia). At Hair Doctors in Melbourne and Sydney, we offer affordable financing to make our innovative and effective hair transplants as accessible as possible. To see results, take a look at our before and after gallery.
About The Author
Dr. Ossman Ashraf
In 2009, Dr Oz graduated from the University of Dundee, UK with a qualification in Men’s Health and Aesthetic Medicine. He then furthered his qualifications in medical education and is currently the Medical Advisor/Educator for MOSH, Australia’s leading online Men’s Health platform. He is accredited by the London Hair Restoration Academy and specialises in using the most up-to-date micro FUE extraction and DHI implantation techniques for transplant surgery.
Hussein B
After years of research, calling and consulting with different hair transplant surgeons across Sydney, I can definitely say Hair Doctors Australia is the best in the business. If you’re after qualified hair transplant surgeons who actually put their patients best interests first, look no further.
Samuel Levi
From the first initial consult, to my first day of surgery I can not highly recommend the team here at the Bondi clinic enough. So professional, and friendly, plus answered every question and worry I had, that was running through my mind. It made the entire process seamless. I’ll be recommending them whole heartedly to anyone who was in a similar situation to me, and wanting a hair transplant.
