Often, the ability to prevent or stop hair loss largely depends on the underlying cause. Loss of hair due to a stressful event or disease (telogen effluvium) does not usually persist long after the event or disease has ended or been removed. Hair loss caused by medication is also reversed once the medication is discontinued.

Non-hereditary hair loss is far less common but often much more easily preventable. Hair loss caused by chemicals (e.g., bleach, hot oils) or styling techniques that apply constant tension to the hair (e.g., hair straightening) can often be eliminated or minimized by simply changing the style responsible. However, hair regrowth is highly unlikely if scarring of the scalp occurs as a result of hair styling, hair pulling or trauma (e.g., burn).  

Hair loss caused by heredity (e.g., androgenetic alopecia, alopecia areata) is incurable. However, the medications used to treat the condition may prevent further hair loss or regrow hair if their use is initiated in the early phases of hair loss.