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One-sided Hair Loss

By: Jennie Kermode - Updated: 30 Jul 2019 | comments*Discuss
 
Hair Loss One-sided Thinning Texture

Is it possible to lose the hair on just one side of your head? It sounds strange, but the answer is yes. Sometimes this is just an unusual variation on Alopecia Areata, or patchy hair loss, but often the effect is more pronounced and it's clear that something else is going on. In fact, one-sided hair loss can be a symptom of serious medical problems, so it's important to understand the risks and Talk To Your Doctor at the earliest opportunity.

Patterns of One-sided Hair Loss

Most people with one-sided hair loss find that it doesn't happen all at once. Hair usually thins gradually – you may notice more hair comes out when brushing one side than the other. If you suspect one-sided hair loss, place your fingers just above your ears and push them upwards. This should enable you to feel whether or not your hair volume is the same on both sides.

People with this condition are far more likely to lose hair on the right side of the head than on the left. This can go along with a loss of body hair on the right-hand side. Sometimes people report that they start to lose body hair on their legs and the pattern travels upwards until it starts affecting their heads. It's common for eyebrow hair to be affected, too.

What Causes One-sided Hair Loss?

One-sided hair loss is usually associated with changes in the texture of the hair. Often just as much hair emerges from follicles as usual, but it is shed sooner, or it breaks off earlier, meaning it can't grow as long as the hair on the other side. Hairs may feel flat and wiry or may be pale and very fine, like baby hair.

All of these characteristics demonstrate that the follicles producing the hair are not getting adequate nutrition. But why should this happen on just one side of the head? There are several possible explanations:

  • A circulatory disorder – sometimes blood doesn't travel around the body as evenly as it should. Most conditions that cause this are not serious, but as it can be a sign of blood clots in your veins, it's best to be careful. Circulatory disorders can also be an early symptom of some chronic illnesses.
  • A head injury – if you have ever fallen and hit your head, scar tissue can develop in the scalp that disrupts the normal pattern of blood flow to hair follicles. This is unlikely to cause other health problems. Sometimes scar tissue can be broken up by massage – ask your doctor for advice.
  • A stroke – most strokes, which occur when there is bleeding inside the brain, are relatively minor – you might not even realise you've had one, though a scan can reveal it. They can interfere with the normal functioning of hormones that help hair follicles take up nutrients. Because minor strokes place you at increased risk of a major one, it's important to seek medical advice straight away.
  • A tumour – growths in the brain can exert pressure on the scalp and inhibit normal blood flow. Don't panic – if you do have a tumour, it may well be benign. Your doctor can advise you on the best course of action.

Coping with One-sided Hair Loss

One-sided hair loss can look particularly odd and can badly damage your confidence. You may just want to shave all your hair off until it looks normal again, but if that doesn't feel right, there are other options.

Toupées and Hair Patches, supported by glue or woven into the healthy hair in the middle of your head, can be matched to your hair colour and make you look like you used to. Alternatively, you can wear a wig over the whole of your head. Remember that if you choose this option you will need to take extra care of your healthy hair.

Because most causes of one-sided hair loss are treatable, the chances are that a visit to your doctor can set you on the road to a full recovery.

Partial Hair Loss

You can find more information and advice about Partial Hair Loss in our Hair Loss Basics section of this site.

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[Add a Comment]
Im a 29 year old woman and also have less hair on the right side of my head, It has been like this for years, that side also grows slower than the left side and always ends up looking shorter even though I cut it evenly. If I could just make it stop falling out or thinning, mi left half has about the double of hair my right side does.
cam - 30-Jul-19 @ 5:16 AM
Sir i am loosing my hairs on right side on my temple area . So i want to know about the treatment option available and i am 21 years old. Please reply
minku - 13-Sep-18 @ 4:34 PM
I have fybromyalgia and my hair is very thin on the right side, I tend to sleep on my right side, is there any connection ?
Cath - 8-Sep-18 @ 4:59 AM
Hi, I’m 19 and I’m losing hair on my left side of my head it’s on my temple where my hair use to be, Im curious more then worried why this is happening, if anyone knows or been through this please leave back a comment!
khswes - 30-Jul-18 @ 3:36 PM
My hair is exactly the same. Thick and longer on my left side compared to my right side which is shorter and thinner!
Gina - 13-Jul-18 @ 2:18 AM
I have one sided hair loss on the right and I also have Raynaud's disease are they linked
Bigman2120 - 29-Jun-18 @ 12:00 PM
liz - Your Question:
My hair on the right side is thinning more and more and even thinner at the front of the forehead on the right. I take vitamins but I dont see improvement I have lost weight in the past 3 years my muscle mass has decreased too. I need help understanding whats going on.

Our Response:
Have you asked your GP for advice? We can't really comment on specific individual cases like this.
HairLossExpert - 12-Mar-18 @ 11:32 AM
My hair on the right side is thinning more and more and even thinner at the front of the forehead on the right. I take vitamins but i dont see improvementi have lost weightin the past 3 years my muscle mass has decreased too. I need help understanding whats going on.
liz - 9-Mar-18 @ 10:03 AM
Hi! My hair on the right side of the head has always been much thinner from the back pf my head to the front. I've now started to be really worried about this since my MBP on the right temple is receding much faster then my left. Are there any cures for this, are there any ways to stop from receding this much faster on the right temple?
Jol - 28-Nov-17 @ 7:16 PM
La Puppet - Your Question:
Just to make sure,You brush upward until whatever you're using dries and then you style by combing downward, or however you like. This concludes what I suggested in the prior message.

Our Response:
Thanks for your comments, we're people found them useful.
HairLossExpert - 10-Nov-17 @ 1:50 PM
Just to make sure, You brush upward until whatever you're using dries and then you style by combing downward, or however you like.This concludes what I suggested in the prior message.
La Puppet - 9-Nov-17 @ 5:25 AM
Simply put, Your hair grows upward on one side and downward on the other side.The flat side will always need to be brushed in upward strokes.Using mousse or hairspray will add fullness when brushing upward until it dries (or can curl) and it will keep it from going flat.Big curlers will give a lot of body.Guys can brush upward using Mousse or hairspray, there are many products for this. "Now you don't have to have "bad hair days".Hair definitely makes the difference; it is the first thing that will be noticed...
La Puppet - 9-Nov-17 @ 5:09 AM
Hair begins with a swirl that usually starts at the crown and grows until it covers the complete scalp.The follicles grow hairflat against the scalp and if you feel, for instance, the right side of your hair is thinner,what you are most likely feeling is your hair is flatter on that side because your follicles are growing flat and downward.The left side seems like more hair because the follicles are growing hair, more or less, in the same direction as the right, so this means your hair on the left side is growing in an upward direction, opposite from the right.Your hair hangs against the grain on the left side so it sticks out making it appear to be full.Waves and curls also contribute to the direction of hair growth.
La Puppet - 9-Nov-17 @ 4:05 AM
I am having a problem with my left side as there is little or no sensation in just a small part do i need to worry about that or its normal. Age 22.
Saif Ali - 29-Jun-17 @ 1:06 AM
hello.my entire right side of my head has thinner hair than the left if you place a pencil from between my eyes and go straight back to the top of my head and then straight down the back of my head, my right side is thinner, much thinner am i the only one? i have noticed this for many years, just getting worse over time, seems like a slow thing going on driving me crazy, i am 46 and i dont know what to do.i even had a brain MRI and a carotid ultrasound just to be sure all is ok, all was fine there help!
chris - 4-May-17 @ 2:29 PM
I've been on Femera for 6 yrs, now I'm experiencing hair loss will it grow back when I stop?
Angie - 12-Apr-17 @ 4:14 AM
Hi, I am 26year oldI don't have any problem in my body but only little patch on my head I lost hair right side so it's normal thing? Manisha
Money - 27-Dec-16 @ 9:32 PM
@jamsie. Could it be something simple, like you always lie one side atnight times? And have you tried changing your parting? That worked for me!
Kittentoes - 26-Sep-14 @ 9:59 AM
I have always had less hair on the right side of my head. I am now 28 and this is becoming more of a problem. I am thinning more and more. When I wash my hair twice a week I always lose a considerable amount of hair. I don't think this is normal... Please help.
jamsie - 25-Sep-14 @ 9:02 AM
HI, I am 23 years male, i am suffering from one sided hair loss, i.e i am loosing hair from one side of my body. scalp on right side,right arm,right leg etc. Please help me... what is this disease? is it cure able?
Malik - 6-Oct-11 @ 1:33 PM
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