Can Steroids cause Hair Loss?

25 March, 2019 | Hair Loss | Author : Shveta Virmani

Steroids are chemicals substances which are naturally found in the body, and help organs, tissues and cells to perform their respective roles. Steroids can also refer to man-made medicines which are available in different forms such as tablets, injections, lotions, and inhalers. The two main types of steroids are corticosteroids and anabolic-androgen steroids.

Corticosteroids are medicines that fight inflammation in your body. They act just like the hormone cortisol, which is produced by the adrenal glands and prevents the immune system from substances that cause inflammation. Therefore, corticosteroids halt the processes of the immune system that trigger inflammation. These steroids are safe when they are prescribed by a doctor and taken in moderation.

Anabolic-androgen steroids are man-made versions of male sex hormones i.e. testosterone, which regulate and control how the body works and develops. They are often used illegally in order to stimulate muscle growth. However, one of the most common side-effects of steroids is premature hair loss.

How Steroids cause Hair Loss?

Steroids can cause hair loss due to the mechanism that causes male pattern baldness. Male pattern baldness is caused when your body produces excess DHT or dihydrotestosterone. DHT attaches to your hair follicles and causes them to degrade over time.

Hair follicles need to be in a good condition to produce new and healthy hair. The follicles exposed to DHT shrink and the hair they produce become weaker and eventually die, resulting in no further growth of hair or baldness.

The use of steroids can accelerate male pattern baldness if you’re genetically predisposed to the condition. In case you’re prone to male pattern baldness, your body already has higher levels of DHT. Taking steroids can only increase the production of DHT, which will result in baldness much quicker.

If you’re experiencing hair loss due to the dosage of steroids, then it is advised by the best hair transplant clinic to discontinue the use of steroids as their prolonged use can lead to permanent baldness. However, stopping steroids abruptly is a bad idea as it can trigger fatigue, restlessness, mood swings, muscles ache, and depression. If you were taking steroids to treat any illness, the particular symptoms may reappear. Hence, slowly reducing your dose is always the safer option. You can also seek the help of your doctor to keep a check on the intake of steroids.

At the top hair transplant clinic, you can get a wide range of exemplary male pattern baldness treatments, including FUE hair transplant and a variety of hair loss medications. Based on the recommendation of your doctor, you can finalize a hair loss treatment which will give you best results.