My Hair is Falling Out! 8 Common Reasons for Hair Loss

Hair is one of the most astonishing parts of the human’s body - it is extremely strong (a single strand of hair can hold up to 100g (3oz) in weight!), but at the same time, it's quite delicate and its overall health can be easily affected by a variety of factors. This can lead to numerous hair problems that we may have to deal with throughout our lives.

One example is hair loss - which is to some extent natural, as people tend to lose 50 to 100 hair strands every single day. However, losing any more than that can be a sign of a deeper issue that you may have to deal with.

If your hair is falling out and you are concerned about it, in this article we will shed some light on the most common causes for it, and what are some things that you can do about it. So, without further ado, let’s jump right into it:

What is hair loss?

Hair loss, commonly known as alopecia, refers to the partial or complete loss of hair from the scalp or other parts of the body. It can be caused by a variety of factors, from genetics to medical conditions and hormonal changes, as well as nutritional deficiencies. Studies have shown that 25% of men and 12% of women lose hair by the age of 30, and 50% of men and 40% of women lose hair at the age of 50.

Hair loss can be temporary or permanent and may manifest as thinning, patchy areas, or complete baldness.

If you are worried that your hair is falling out, it is important to understand the underlying cause so you can get an appropriate diagnosis and treatment. With this in mind, we highly recommend speaking with a healthcare professional to assess your situation as each case may be highly individual.

How common is hair loss?

As we already mentioned, hair loss is more common that you may have imagined - so, if your hair is falling out, you are not alone. 

Generally speaking, hair loss is very common - it is estimated that about 50 million men and 30 million women in the US alone experience some form of hair loss throughout their lives.

This prevalence increases with age, with around 50% of men experiencing noticeable hair loss by the age of 50. Female pattern hair loss is also prevalent, affecting approximately 40% of women by the age of 50.

Is hair loss genetic? 

There are many causes for hair loss in both men and women, but genetics is among the most prevalent ones. While it's challenging to provide an exact percentage, it is estimated that approximately 80% of cases of hair loss are attributed to genetic factors.

The most common type of hair loss, known as androgenetic alopecia or male/female pattern baldness, has a strong genetic component.

However, it's important to note that genetic factors are not the sole cause of hair loss, and other factors such as hormonal changes, lifestyle, and environmental factors can also contribute to hair loss.

My hair is falling out! 8 common reasons for hair loss

If your hair is falling out, here are some of the most common reasons why you may be experiencing hair loss:

1. Nutritional deficiencies

Among the most common causes of hair loss are nutritional deficiencies. If you are not eating the appropriate amount of healthy foods, such as nuts and seeds, leafy greens, fruit and vegetables, as well as foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids and protein, you may be sabotaging your overall hair health.

Lack of proper nutrition may lead to:

• Protein deficiency - since hair is primarily made up of a protein called keratin, not eating protein-rich foods may lead to weakened hair strands and hair thinning.
• Iron deficiency - iron is among the most important elements for our overall health, and it heavily impacts the health of your hair as well. Insufficient iron levels can result in a condition called iron-deficiency anemia, which can disrupt the hair growth cycle and lead to hair loss.
• Vitamin B & D - deficiencies in vitamin B and vitamin D may hinder hair growth and the generation of new hair follicles, which means that an inadequate levels of these vitamins may result in hair loss or thinning.

When your body is facing nutritional deficiencies, it prioritizes essential functions (such as keeping your heart pumping) as opposed to non-essential ones like hair growth. As a result, the hair follicles may enter a resting phase (telogen) or shed prematurely, leading to increased hair loss.

So, make sure to eat as many healthy foods as possible to promote your overall health. If you are not sure which specific nutritional deficiency is causing your hair loss, it is best to consult a professional. 

2. Stress

If you have been experiencing a lot of stress and your hair is falling out, it could be due to a condition known as telogen effluvium. Telogen effluvium is a type of temporary hair shedding that occurs when there is a significant disruption to the hair growth cycle. Stress, whether physical or emotional, can trigger this condition.

When the body experiences stress, it can shift hair follicles into a resting phase (telogen) prematurely. As a result, more hair follicles enter the shedding phase simultaneously, leading to increased hair loss.

Typically, the hair loss becomes noticeable a few months after the stressful event or period.

Stress can also disrupt the normal hormonal balance in the body, which can further impact hair growth. Elevated levels of stress hormones, such as cortisol, can interfere with the hair growth cycle and contribute to hair loss.

It's important to note that telogen effluvium caused by stress is often temporary, and the hair typically regrows once the underlying stressor is addressed or eliminated.

Adopting stress management techniques, such as exercise, relaxation techniques, and seeking support from loved ones or professionals, can help reduce the impact of stress on hair loss.

3. Alopecia aerata

If your hair is falling out, this could also be due to an autoimmune disorder known as alopecia aerata. This happens when the immune system mistakenly attacks the hair follicles, leading to hair loss.

Unfortunately, the exact cause of this autoimmune disorder is not fully understood yet. It is believed to involve a combination of genetic, immune and environmental factors, and it is characterized by patchy hair loss that can occur on the scalp, eyebrows, eyelashes or other areas of the body.

The pattern of hair loss in alopecia areata is unpredictable, and it can only be reversible in some cases, more particularly milder ones. In more extensive cases, the chances for spontaneous regrowth are significantly less common.

4. Hormonal changes

An important factor that may lead to your hair falling out are hormonal changes, which is particularly common in women. Pregnancy, childbirth, menopause and certain medical conditions can stress out the body and lead to hair thinning or hair loss, often temporary.

Androgenic hormones 

Androgens, such as testosterone, can influence hair growth patterns. Some individuals are genetically predisposed to male or female pattern baldness (androgenetic alopecia), causing the hair follicles to become sensitive to the effects of androgens, and leading to hair thinning.

Hormonal imbalances 

Major hormonal changes, like childbirth, medical conditions or the menopause, can lead to fluctuations and imbalances in hormones. This affects the hair growth cycle and leads to excessive shedding or thinning.

Postpartum hair loss 

Many women experience postpartum hair loss after giving birth, because the levels of estrogen drop (after increasing significantly during pregnancy), which causes the hair to enter a resting phase and eventually shed. However, this is often temporary.

Hormonal medications 

Certain medications, such as oral contraceptives or anabolic steroids, can also impact hair growth.

If you suspect that your hair is falling out due to hormonal changes, it is best to consult a healthcare professional to set the right diagnosis and find the best treatment depending on your particular case.

5. Medical conditions

If your hair is falling out, another reason why this could be happening is because of certain medical conditions. On top of the previously-mentioned alopecia aerata, androgenic alopecia and telogen effluvium, other common conditions that lead to hair loss include:

• Fungal scalp infections
• Bacterial scalp infections
• Thyroid disorders
• Autoimmune diseases like Lupus or Hashimoto
• Skin disorders
• Alopecia universalis or totalis

And more. However, please note this is not an exhaustive list, and there could be other medical conditions causing your hair thinning or hair loss. If you are facing excessive hair loss, consult with a healthcare professional for proper evaluation and guidance.

6. Treatments and medications

Medications and medical treatments may also lead to your hair falling out.

This often includes chemotherapy drugs (designed to target rapidly dividing cells, but it may also affect healthy cells like the hair follicles), radiation therapy, anticoagulant medications such as heparin and warfarin, as well as antidepressants and some hormonal medications like birth control.

7. Genetics

As we discussed earlier, genetics is one of the biggest factors when it comes to hair falling out, and unfortunately one that can be challenging to deal with. Some individuals are genetically pre-disposed to hair loss and thinning, often inherited by one or both parents.

Genetic hair loss is influenced by hormones, specifically androgens. In individuals genetically predisposed to androgenetic alopecia, the hair follicles become sensitive to the effects of androgens, particularly dihydrotestosterone (DHT).

DHT is derived from testosterone and can cause the miniaturization of hair follicles, leading to shorter, thinner, and less pigmented hair.

8. Low-quality heat styling tools

If you are frequently doing thermal hair styling on your hair, and you are using low-quality tools to achieve that, it might be time to invest in a high-quality tool made with the gemstone tourmaline, such as the NuMe Flat Iron or the NuMe Classic Curling Wand. 

There are many reasons why - on one hand, low-quality tools made from cheap materials often lack temperature control, or it's extremely inefficient.

The inability to control the temperature when curling or straightening your hair means that you could be applying much more heat than what's actually needed in order to achieve the desired results.

On another hand, poor-quality heat styling tools may not distribute heat evenly across the hair, causing certain sections to be exposed to higher temperatures while others receive insufficient heat. This can result in uneven damage to the hair, leading to breakage and hair loss.

In contrast, a heat styling tool made with the gemstone tourmaline emits up to 6 times more negative ions, allowing to seal in moisture and reduce the damaging effect from excessive temperatures.

FAQ

What is the difference between normal shedding and excessive hair loss?

Normal shedding is a natural part of the hair growth cycle, with an average of 50-100 hairs lost per day. Excessive hair loss, on the other hand, involves significant hair shedding, thinning, or bald patches.

If you notice clumps of hair coming out or a noticeable decrease in hair density, it may indicate excessive hair loss requiring further evaluation.

Does nutrition play a role in hair loss?

Yes, nutrition plays a significant role in hair health and can contribute to hair loss. Inadequate intake of essential nutrients like iron, zinc, vitamin D, and protein can weaken hair follicles, leading to hair thinning and increased shedding.

A balanced diet rich in these nutrients is important for maintaining healthy hair.