Do Steroids Cause Hair Loss? The Shocking Truth Uncovered

Do Steroids Cause Hair Loss? The Shocking Truth Uncovered

• December 25, 2025
• Dr. Arthur Zacco

Last updated on January 28, 2026

Steroids have long been used for medical purposes and athletic performance, but many people are unaware of their potential side effects on hair growth. While some individuals use them to build muscle or recover from injury, others are surprised when they notice sudden hair loss, thinning or shedding after use. The relationship between steroids and hair loss is complex, involving hormonal changes, genetic factors and the sensitivity of hair follicles.

At AZ Hair Restoration in Raleigh, Dr. Arthur Zacco has treated many men and women experiencing hair loss linked to steroid use. With more than three decades of experience, Dr. Zacco focuses on identifying the underlying causes and developing targeted solutions that help restore natural, healthy growth.

Understanding How Steroids Affect Hair Growth

To understand why steroids cause hair loss, it helps to look at how they work in the body. Anabolic steroids are synthetic versions of testosterone, the male sex hormone responsible for muscle growth and secondary sexual characteristics. When introduced in high doses, these compounds can disrupt the body’s natural hormonal balance and hair growth cycle.

Testosterone is converted into dihydrotestosterone (DHT) through an enzyme called 5-alpha reductase. DHT is the same hormone linked to androgenetic alopecia, also known as male or female pattern hair loss. Elevated DHT levels can shrink hair follicles, shorten the growth phase and cause strands to fall out prematurely. Over time, this process leads to noticeable thinning, particularly at the temples, crown, or part line.

Which Steroids Cause Hair Loss?

Not all steroids have the same impact on hair health. The ones most likely to trigger shedding are those that increase testosterone or DHT levels. These include:

• Anabolic steroids: Such as testosterone, nandrolone and stanozolol.
• Performance-enhancing steroids: Commonly used for bodybuilding.
• Certain medical corticosteroids: Used long-term at high doses for conditions like autoimmune diseases.

Anabolic steroids tend to be the most problematic because they directly interact with androgen receptors in the scalp. Individuals with a family history of hair loss are especially vulnerable. Even short cycles of steroid use can accelerate genetic thinning that might not have appeared for years.

Why Do Steroids Cause Hair Loss?

Hair follicles are highly sensitive to hormonal fluctuations. When DHT levels rise due to steroid use, they attach to receptors in susceptible follicles. This causes the follicles to shrink over time, producing finer and shorter hair until growth stops completely.

This process mirrors the pattern seen in hereditary hair loss, though it can occur much faster when triggered by steroid use. In men, it usually begins with receding at the temples or thinning at the crown. In women, it often presents as diffuse thinning through the mid-scalp.

Other contributing factors include:

• Hormonal imbalance: Excess testosterone disrupts normal hormone regulation.
• Stress on the body: Steroids can raise cortisol and affect circulation to the scalp.
• Nutrient depletion: Rapid muscle gain without balanced nutrition can impact follicle health.

Is Hair Loss from Steroids Permanent?

Whether hair loss from steroids is permanent depends on several factors, including duration of use, dosage and genetic predisposition. In many cases, if steroid use is discontinued early, the follicles can recover once hormone levels return to normal. However, prolonged use can lead to permanent miniaturization of the follicles.

Will Hair Loss from Steroids Grow Back?

Whether hair regrows after steroid-related shedding depends on how long the follicles were exposed to hormonal imbalance and the body’s recovery once steroids are discontinued. Temporary shedding often reverses within a few months as hormone levels stabilize and follicles re-enter the growth phase. However, long-term or high-dose steroid use can cause permanent follicle miniaturization, especially in people with a genetic tendency toward baldness. Early evaluation, scalp care and targeted medical treatments improve the likelihood of regrowth and prevent further loss.

How to Minimize Hair Loss While Using Steroids

For individuals prescribed medical steroids, stopping the medication is not always an option. In these cases, it is important to work with a qualified healthcare provider to balance treatment benefits and side effects. Some ways to minimize hair loss risk include:

• Using the lowest effective dose for the shortest duration possible
• Maintaining a nutrient-rich diet with adequate protein, iron and zinc
• Avoiding anabolic or non-prescribed steroid use
• Using physician-approved topical treatments to support scalp health

Treatment Options for Steroid-Induced Hair Loss

Dr. Zacco takes a comprehensive approach to treating steroid-related hair loss, beginning with a full scalp assessment and discussion of medical history. Depending on the stage of loss and follicle viability, treatment options may include:

1. Growth Factor Therapy

This treatment uses concentrated plasma-derived growth factors to stimulate dormant follicles, improve circulation and support thicker regrowth. It is particularly effective for early-stage thinning caused by hormonal imbalance or medication use.

2. Hair Loss Medications

Topical finasteride and minoxidil can help block DHT production and extend the growth phase of hair follicles. Dr. Zacco tailors each prescription to minimize side effects while maximizing results.

3. Microneedling and Red Light Therapy

These non-invasive procedures improve scalp health and enhance nutrient absorption, helping follicles recover after steroid-induced stress.

4. Hair Transplant Surgery

For patients with permanent follicle damage, surgical options provide lasting results. AZ Hair Restoration offers both FUE and FUT procedures, performed with precision and artistry to achieve natural density.

• FUE (Follicular Unit Extraction): Used to remove individual follicular units (FU). FUE is best for small recipient areas and does not leave a linear scar. Depending on the size of the hair transplant, 1000-3000 round scars are produced and can be better concealed with very short hair. Unfortunately, the FUE procedure is done blindly, thus resulting in a high transection rate (compared to FUT) of follicles during the harvesting of the follicular units. The transection rate for FUE is about 20-30% with straight hair and about 50%-80% with curly hair or follicles that are splayed underneath the skin.
• FUT (Follicular Unit Transplant): Best suited for larger areas of thinning or if continued hair thinning is anticipated. The FUT procedure produces more robust hair density and results. There is significantly less follicular transection because follicles are visualized under a microscope as the grafts are being produced. This translates into a very low transaction rate of about 3-5%.

Who Is Most at Risk of Hair Loss from Steroids?

Not everyone who uses steroids experiences hair loss. However, those with a family history of baldness or hormonal sensitivity are more likely to be affected. Men with genetic male pattern baldness may see accelerated thinning, while women with a predisposition to androgenic alopecia may notice diffuse loss across the crown.

If you have a family history of thinning or have noticed changes after starting steroids, it is important to consult a hair restoration specialist. Dr. Zacco offers detailed evaluations to determine the cause and guide you toward the most effective solution.

Restore Your Hair After Steroid Use at North Carolina’s Leading Hair Loss Clinic

Steroids can trigger or accelerate hair loss, especially in those with a genetic predisposition. While some shedding may be temporary, prolonged use can cause lasting damage to hair follicles. The good news is that effective, evidence-based treatments are available to reverse thinning and restore density.

At AZ Hair Restoration in Raleigh, Dr. Arthur Zacco offers advanced solutions for every stage of steroid-related hair loss, combining medical expertise with proven results. Schedule your free consultation today to assess your scalp health and explore the best options for regaining strong, natural hair.

FAQs

Can steroids make hair fall out?

Yes, certain steroids can trigger hair loss by increasing testosterone and dihydrotestosterone (DHT) levels, which shrink hair follicles. This process can accelerate genetic hair loss or cause temporary shedding. At AZ Hair Restoration in Raleigh, Dr. Arthur Zacco identifies the exact cause and offers personalized treatment plans to restore hair growth. Schedule your free consultation to discuss your options for preventing or reversing steroid-related thinning.

Which steroids cause hair loss?

Anabolic steroids, such as testosterone, nandrolone and stanozolol, are most often linked to hair loss because they elevate DHT levels. Even short-term use can speed up genetic thinning. AZ Hair Restoration in Raleigh offers expert diagnosis and targeted treatments to reverse the effects of DHT-related shedding. Contact us for a free consultation with Dr. Arthur Zacco for personalized care.

Is hair loss from steroids permanent?

It depends on how long and how intensively steroids were used. In some cases, follicles recover once hormones stabilize. In others, prolonged exposure to DHT causes permanent follicle miniaturization. AZ Hair Restoration in Raleigh provides advanced options like Growth Factor Therapy, FUE and FUT transplants to restore density. Get a free consult with Dr. Arthur Zacco for a hair loss evaluation and custom treatment plan.

How long does it take for hair to grow back after stopping steroids?

If the follicles remain active, regrowth can start within three to six months after stopping steroid use. Consistent scalp care and medical therapy can enhance recovery. At AZ Hair Restoration in Raleigh, Dr. Arthur Zacco offers treatments that stimulate new growth and strengthen existing follicles. Free consultations are available to help you determine the best recovery plan. Call us today!