Can Too Much Exercise Lead to Hair Loss?

Exercise is good for your health. But can too much exercise really cause hair loss?

Not according to Dr. Ken Washenik, Bosley medical director and hair loss researcher. “Moderate exercise, heavy exercise, daily routines of movement and activity do not cause hair loss, or cause hair loss to become worse,” says Dr. Washenik. “Unfortunately,” he adds, “(they) don’t appear to help hair loss either. They appear to be unrelated.”

So if you’re an athlete or weekend warrior, you don’t need to worry about your activities causing hair loss. As Dr. Washenik advises, “There is no reasonable amount of exercise — daily routine, training for a marathon — that’s going to cause you to lose hair. So stay fit, stay in shape, and it will not adversely affect your hair.”

Watch Dr. Ken Washenik discuss exercise and hair loss in the following Bosley Physician Q&A video.

What Does Cause Hair Loss?

By far the most common cause of hair loss is male pattern baldness, also known as androgenetic alopecia. This genetic condition — which you inherit it from your parents — commonly causes thinning hair or balding on the top (or vertex) of the scalp. Male pattern baldness causes your hair follicles to shrink gradually over time due to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a male hormone. Left untreated, your follicles eventually stop producing hair altogether.

Female pattern baldness can have similar causes, though temporary hair loss in women can occur as the result of pregnancy, stress or tight hairstyles that have braiding or weaving.

Far less common causes of hair loss include scarring from accidents or surgery, chemical or thermal burns, reaction to medications, or from chronic illnesses. Because of this, it’s always recommended that you see your physician first to rule out medical causes before you explore any hair loss treatment options.

To learn more about your hair restoration options, download Bosley’s FREE guidebook, The Complete Book on Hair Restoration, to see how great your hair can look. Or schedule a free consultation with a Bosley specialist today. Your initial consultation includes a free microscopic scalp and hair analysis.