Antidepressants and hair loss: everything you need to know – Fitness and well-being

In addition to genetic and hormonal causes, the most common, there are other situations or conditions that can cause alopecia: autoimmune problems, stress, hypothyroidism, nutritional deficiencies, medical treatments such as chemotherapy or radiotherapy and pharmacological treatments such as antidepressants.

So, if you started taking antidepressant treatment in the last few months, this could be one of the reasons why you’re seeing more hair in your brush than usual.

Can hair fall out due to taking antidepressants?

The answer is yes. The type of hair loss that is typically caused by

antidepressants is diffuse alopecia. It is normally related to antidepressants prescribed to stabilize mood, but is less common in treatments with serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI), such as fluoxetine, sertraline, paroxetine or escitalopram. It is also very rare for tricyclics, benzodiazepines or antipsychotics to trigger hair loss. It must be borne in mind that, once the medication is withdrawn, hair loss stops.

In any case, hair loss caused by antidepressants is generally of little aesthetic importance. In fact, hair loss generally has more to do with the depressive state itself.

What is the relationship between alopecia and antidepressants?

In most cases, hair loss due to antidepressant medication usually begins within the first week or two of taking it. The effects of drug-induced alopecia typically peak three months after starting to take a particular medication. This is usually because the normal hair growth cycle is accelerated. The anagen phase is the phase in which hair grows.

In the catagen phase, hair passes from the anagen phase to signal the end of hair growth. The telogen phase is the resting phase of hair growth. At this stage, the hair follicle is completely inactive. Antidepressants can affect the telogen phase and shorten its duration, which can trigger the immediate release of the telogen phase, leading to significant hair loss.

Although hair loss caused by antidepressant use is rare, it is a

possible side effect of most antidepressants. Some studies suggest that bupropion (also known as chlorbutylketoamphetamine or amfebutamone) has the highest relative risk compared to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors.

How can you prevent hair loss caused by antidepressants?

If hair loss due to medication is causing a significant change in the patient’s well-being or negatively affecting their mental health, it is advisable to consult a specialist to find an alternative.

If hair quality does not improve or if it is difficult to restore its previous state, we can consider these actions:

Take care of your diet

Unbalanced diets or nutritional deficiencies can cause hair loss. Therefore, it is important to maintain a complete and healthy diet. Several studies suggest that deficiencies in vitamins B12 and D, biotin, riboflavin, iron and other nutrients are associated with hair loss. A diet rich in these vitamins and minerals can help promote hair growth.

Carrying out scalp massages

Scalp massage stimulates blood circulation. When using products

specific in our care routines, we help nourish the scalp and improve blood circulation, two keys to good hair health.

Taking time to massage your scalp every day can also help you slow down and relieve stress and tension, an added bonus if these emotions are the cause of your hair loss.

Pharmacological treatments

Medications such as Minoxidil can help prevent hair loss and stimulate hair growth. Its action shortens the resting phase of hair growth and stimulates and prolongs its growth phase. It is essential to consult a specialist before starting treatment with Minoxidil, to know what dose to apply and how many times per day.

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP)

Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) is a treatment that uses growth factors obtained from platelets from the patient’s own blood. It is a hair treatment that stimulates blood circulation in the follicular units, which is a hair growth booster.

MesoHair Mesotherapy is a biostimulation and hair nutrition treatment that consists of the biologically active subcutaneous administration of follicular unit cells. In our group we use an exclusive solution that contains:

• Vitamins, proteins and minerals responsible for hair production
• Follicular unit-stimulating growth factors to produce stronger, more resistant hair.
• Antioxidant factors, reducing oxidative stress and slowing down follicular aging.
• 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors (anti-androgenic factors), which locally block the harmful action of testosterone on hair production, preventing its transformation into Dihydrotestosterone (DHT). They help stop androgenic alopecia.
• Hyaluronic acid that integrates the hair fiber produced, hydrates it and makes it resistant to breakage and detachment. No side effects or contraindications, making it a safe and effective preventive treatment for alopecia.

This type of hair loss caused by antidepressants is not permanent. Typically, people completely recover their hair without any outside help in about six months after stopping the medication.

What if I have to continue taking the medication?

If we have to continue taking medication, there are some interesting options that can help with hair loss caused by antidepressants:

One of them would be to reduce the dosage, which could be enough for the hair to grow back.

Another option could be to switch to a different brand or generic version of the medication, as it may be an inactive ingredient rather than the medication itself that is causing the hair loss.

If none of these options help, and you feel like you really can’t live with your hair loss, there is the option of seeing a specialist. This will assess the type of alopecia you suffer from, the degree to which it affects you and the most appropriate solution.

If you have noticed changes in your hair and think that your antidepressant treatment may be the cause, contact us. Our specialist doctors, experts in the treatment and diagnosis of hair health, will advise you free of charge and help you find the most appropriate solution. Furthermore, we offer treatments that will help you improve the quality of your hair, such as hair mesotherapy, Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) and Low Laser Therapy. Individually or in combination, these treatments will nourish and revitalize your hair, helping to restore its healthy appearance.

An article by Carlos Portinha, clinical director of the Insparya Group.