Hair loss for men and women at any age can be worrisome. For most people, hair loss is a natural process as new strands keep growing while old ones fall out. This is known as natural regrowth. However, if you notice unusual hair loss on different parts of your body, it might be due to a serious medical condition.
Here’s an overview of common causes of hair loss on the legs, and what it may reveal about your overall health.
Is Hair Loss on Legs Normal?
Hair loss on the legs is referred to as anterolateral leg alopecia. A single health issue doesn’t cause this condition; instead, it is a catch-all term for both benign and serious medical conditions that may cause hair loss on the legs.
Certain hereditary, autoimmune disorders like alopecia areata or vascular conditions like can cause leg hair to grow more slowly or fall off completely. Aging, friction, medications, and shaving habits are less serious concerns that can also impact leg hair growth. Slow hair growth on the legs, with no other symptoms, is typically harmless. However, if other symptoms are present, consider a medical evaluation to rule out any serious causes.
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Common Causes of Hair Loss on the Legs
A range of serious to non-serious medical conditions can cause hair loss on the legs. The most common causes include:
Common, Non-Serious Causes of Leg Hair Loss
Friction or Pressure from Clothing
Tight leggings, pants, socks, or cycling shorts can lead to slow hair growth and skin irritation. Most individuals notice bald patches where the friction occurred, typically on the thighs or calves, or where the sock line hugs the ankle.
Hormonal Imbalances Leading to Hair Loss
Hormones play a key role in the hair growth cycle, and imbalances in the body can shorten the growth phase or stop it completely. Hormonal hair loss is typically paired with other hormone-related symptoms, such as acne and drastic weight fluctuations.
Autoimmune or Skin Conditions
Some hair loss conditions, such as alopecia areata, are caused by an immune system dysfunction. In alopecia areata, for example, the immune system mistakenly identifies hair cells as foreign invaders and attacks them.
Hair Loss on Legs From Poor Circulation: A PAD Warning Sign
High blood pressure, high cholesterol, or damaged blood vessels can inflame your arteries, leading to severe vascular conditions such as peripheral artery disease (PAD). Over time, this can lead to losing hair on the legs, shiny skin, and other common symptoms of PAD.
How Does PAD Cause Hair Loss on the Legs?
Hair follicles require nutrients to keep them healthy and to allow hair to grow. Those nutrients are carried through the bloodstream. When an individual has PAD, their arteries are narrowed by plaque buildup. This makes it difficult for adequate blood and oxygen to nourish the muscles, tissues, and other parts of the leg, including the hair follicles. When the hair follicles don’t receive enough nutrients, the hair may stop growing.
Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is a progressive disease that can start with mild symptoms or none at all. If leg hair has stopped growing and there is a risk for peripheral artery disease, there are other signs to be aware of. These PAD symptoms include:
- Trouble walking up or down stairs
- Constant leg pain that only goes away when the feet are elevated
- Wounds on the legs that do not heal or are slow to heal
- Leg restlessness, fatigue, or heaviness
- Cramping in your thigh, calf, or buttocks
- Dry skin or discoloration
- Numbness in your legs, ankles, feet, or toes
If any of these symptoms occur alongside leg hair loss, consult a vascular specialist for further diagnosis and potential treatment options before PAD symptoms worsen.
Prevalence of Hair Loss on Legs for Men and Women
Both men and women can experience anterolateral leg alopecia, which may be a sign of PAD. However, men losing hair on their legs is more common due to hormone levels, clothing choices, and vascular risk factors. More men develop anterolateral leg alopecia than women because of higher androgen levels and lower estrogen levels. These hormone levels directly affect hair growth, leading to slower hair growth on the legs and other parts of the body. Men are also more susceptible to developing high blood pressure earlier than women. High blood pressure can cause the artery walls to stiffen and restrict blood flow, reducing the delivery of key nutrients hair follicles need to grow.
Hair Loss on Legs in Men: Should You Be Concerned?
As many as 35% of men are thought to develop anterolateral leg alopecia over their lifetime. In most cases, hair loss occurs on the anterior and lateral parts of the lower legs. This PAD symptom shows sharply defined and symmetrical hair loss patterns on the legs and appears to be more prevalent in men than women.
This could be the case, but it’s important to check for PAD if you are experiencing similar symptoms regardless of your gender. Recent studies indicate that, unlike the PAD symptom of anterolateral leg alopecia, peripheral artery disease affects women as often as men.
Diagnosing Hair Loss on Shins, Calves, and Feet
At USA Vascular Centers, our doctors use several ways to confirm a PAD diagnosis. To begin, your doctor will look for weak pulses in your limbs. They will also examine your legs and arms for other common signs of PAD, like skin changes, open wounds, lack of hair, coldness, and poor nail growth. Finally, your doctor may request one or more of the following tests:
- Ankle-brachial index (ABI) test: An ankle-brachial index (ABI) test measures the blood pressure in your ankle and the blood pressure in your arm and then compares the two.
- Ultrasound: During an ultrasound, sound waves are used to visualize the internal structures of the body. By placing a device called a transducer on your skin, the technician or doctor can examine your arteries, assess blood flow, and identify any blockages that require intervention.
- Angiogram: Alternatively, a clinician may perform an angiogram. During this minimally invasive procedure, contrast dye is injected into the veins to locate blockages in the arteries.
- Blood tests: Because conditions such as high cholesterol and diabetes increase the risk of PAD, blood work is often requested by your doctor to screen for these underlying issues.
Before your appointment, it can be helpful to write down a list of symptoms you’re experiencing and the medications you’re currently taking, so you are prepared for the visit. Wear comfortable clothing and drink plenty of water beforehand.
PAD Treatment Options
If a vascular specialist determines that hair loss on your legs is caused by peripheral artery disease (PAD), they may recommend a minimally invasive treatment to prevent symptoms from worsening. Depending on the severity, one of the following PAD treatments may be recommended:
- Angioplasty: A balloon is inflated to open the affected artery and push plaque against the artery wall, restoring blood flow.
- Stent Placement: A mesh stent is inserted in the artery to keep it propped open. This treatment can be used in conjunction with an angioplasty or on its own.
- Atherectomy: Plaque is removed from the affected artery using a thin tube with a specialized tip.
Restoring Blood Flow and Hair Growth with USA Vascular Centers
If you have noticed your leg hair has stopped growing—especially when accompanied by other symptoms like leg cramping, cold feet, or skin discoloration—it means that not enough oxygenated blood is reaching the tissues in your lower limbs. Early diagnosis and restoring healthy blood flow can help relieve your symptoms, protect your limbs, and improve your overall circulatory health.
Our vascular specialists are here to help. We’re committed to answering your questions and improving your quality of life if you are diagnosed with PAD. Give us a call at 888.773.2193 or schedule a consultation with our leading vascular specialists to determine the right treatment for you.
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FAQs About Hair Loss on Legs
Is it normal to lose hair on your legs?
Losing hair on the legs is typically a sign of an underlying health condition. However, slow hair loss can also be caused by aging or genetics.
Why did my leg hair stop growing?
Losing hair on the legs is a common symptom of peripheral artery disease (PAD). However, there are other reasons why you may experience leg hair loss. Some common reasons include nutritional deficiencies, aging, hormonal fluctuations, or high levels of stress. If you aren’t sure what is causing you to lose hair on your legs, we recommend speaking with one of our vascular specialists to determine if it’s PAD or not.
Can poor circulation lead to hair loss on my legs?
Poor circulation can lead to hair loss on the legs. Inadequate blood flow means your hair follicles aren’t receiving the nutrients and oxygen they need for proper hair growth.
Is leg hair loss in females more common than hair loss in males?
Both men and women are at equal risk for hair loss on the legs. Peripheral artery disease is common among men and women and becomes more prevalent as you age.
Do circulation issues always cause hair loss in both legs?
While hair loss on the legs is a common symptom of poor circulation, it doesn’t always cause hair loss in both legs. Poor circulation in one leg can cause asymmetrical symptoms, halting hair growth in that leg while leaving the other unaffected.
Can hair grow back after PAD treatment?
Hair can grow back after PAD treatment. Once blood flow has been restored, the hair follicles on the legs will receive the blood, oxygen, and nutrients needed for regrowth.
Why does leg hair loss sometimes happen with no other PAD symptoms?
Friction, genetics, and aging are non-serious medical issues that can cause hair loss without any other symptoms.
