Why is my hair falling out? Learn the causes of hair loss

Hair loss, also called alopecia, is a loss of hair from the scalp or other parts of the body. Hair loss can happen for multiple reasons, such as changes to hormone levels, aging, or because of a medical condition, which is why it can be difficult to answer the question: Why is my hair falling out? Let’s take a more in-depth look at hair loss to understand its causes and how to treat it.  

Why is my hair falling out? 

Hair loss can range in severity from mild thinning of the hair to having a receding hairline or going completely bald. The average person loses up to 100 hairs per day, so it’s natural to lose hair, but many people will experience more hair loss than this. Hair loss can begin for some people as early as their 20s or 30s, but for most people, hair loss becomes more common later in their lives as part of the natural aging process. By the age of 50, about 85% of men will have thinning hair.  

“Hair loss is often benign and related to the aging process, however, it can also be a sign of a more serious underlying medical condition,” says Gary Linkov, MD, a facial plastic surgeon and hair restoration specialist in New York. Hair loss can also be a side effect of certain medications.

Baldness can affect both men and women, though male-pattern baldness is more common than female-pattern baldness. Male-pattern baldness is typically inherited and can start at any age. Some men may only get a receding hairline while others may lose all of their hair. Female-pattern baldness usually begins with thinning at the part and then thins all over the rest of the head. It rarely results in total hair loss, and many women will only experience a thinning of their hair.

What you can do to keep your hair from falling out will depend on what’s causing it in the first place. We’ll take a look at some treatment options for hair loss later on.      

Causes of hair loss 

If you’re experiencing hair loss and your hair keeps falling out, it may be for one of the following reasons. 

1. Age

The natural aging process is one of the leading causes of hair loss that affects both men and women. Over time, hair growth slows down and hair follicles eventually stop growing hair altogether. These two things in combination cause hair on the head to thin and recede. By the age of 35, two-thirds of American men will experience some degree of hair loss. Among menopausal women, about two-thirds experience hair thinning or bald spots.  

2. Alopecia areata

Alopecia is an autoimmune skin disease where the body’s immune system attacks hair follicles. Because hair follicles hold the hair in place, when they’re compromised, hair falls out. This autoimmune disease can affect hair all over the scalp, face, and body, and in some cases, it can cause total hair loss. It’s estimated that as many as 6.8 million people in the U.S. are affected by alopecia areata, affecting people of all ages, genders, and ethnic groups.    

3. Anagen effluvium

Anagen effluvium is an abnormal and rapid loss of hair during the first phase of the hair growth cycle. This type of hair loss happens because of medical treatments or exposure to toxic chemicals. Cancer treatments often cause anagen effluvium, but hair usually grows back after exposure to the medication ends. Anagen effluvium is just as likely to happen to women and men exposed to a medication or toxin that causes hair loss.  

4. Androgenetic alopecia 

Androgenetic alopecia is also called female or male-pattern baldness. This is a common type of hair loss that causes hair to fall out in a well-defined pattern, often beginning above the temples. Men often experience thinning of the hair on the crown of their head, as well as a receding hairline, though some men will eventually go completely bald. Women often see their hair loss as a thinning of their part and don’t typically lose hair from their front hairline. 

Androgenetic alopecia is a prevalent type of hair loss that affects 50 million men and 30 million women in the United States. The risk of getting androgenetic alopecia increases with age, but for some people, their hair loss will start as early as their teens. Even though the exact cause of androgenetic alopecia is unknown, genetics and environmental factors may contribute.   

5. Hormonal imbalance

Hormonal changes can cause hair loss for both men and women. An underactive thyroid system that produces less of the thyroid hormone can cause hair growth to be put on pause until hormone levels are normal again. Some women going through menopause will experience hair loss as their levels of progesterone and estradiol go down, which slows hair growth. The medical condition polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is also associated with hair loss because it lowers hormones responsible for hair growth. Women over the age of 60 have more than a 60% chance of experiencing hormonal hair loss.  

Many women experience a lot of hair shedding after they had a baby, usually caused by falling estrogen levels after delivery. Shedding usually peaks at four months postpartum and most women regain their normal hair fullness by one year. 

6. Scalp infection

Having an infection on the scalp can cause mild to severe hair loss. Tinea capitis, or fungal ringworm, is a type of fungal infection that causes hair loss. The fungus attacks hair follicles and hair shafts on the scalp, and sometimes, the eyebrows, and eyelashes. Tinea capitis mostly affects children between the ages of 3 and 14, but it can affect any age group.    

7. Stress

Stress is one of the most common causes of hair loss for both men and women. Three types of hair loss are typically associated with stress: 

• Telogen effluvium: Hair follicles suddenly go into a resting phase because of a stressful life event. Stressors like childbirth, illness, psychological stress, or weight loss can cause this type of hair loss, and it can cause someone to lose more than 300 hairs per day.
• Alopecia areata: An autoimmune disease that attacks hair follicles. Stressful life events can trigger the immune system into attacking hair follicles. 
• Trichotillomania: A  psychiatric disorder that causes someone to repetitively pull out their hair, so much so that it leads to hair loss. It’s often triggered by stress and can interfere with a person’s social and work life.   

8. Traction alopecia 

Traction alopecia is a type of mechanical hair loss that happens when the hair follicles undergo repeated pulling or tension. Tight hairstyles like buns, braids, weaves, cornrows, and ponytails are the most common cause of traction alopecia.

Hair loss treatment

Hair loss treatments aim to prevent further hair loss and regrow hair. Here are some of the best treatments for female and male hair loss.

Medications

Some medications can help prevent further hair loss and stimulate hair follicles to regrow hair. Here are some of the most common medications a doctor might prescribe or recommend for hair loss:  

• Minoxidil: The generic version of the brand-name medication Rogaine, which is available for both men and women. It’s a topical treatment that helps stimulate new hair growth and prevent hair loss. Minoxidil is available to purchase over-the-counter as a liquid or foam and is usually applied twice per day. 
• Finasteride: A prescription medication that treats male-pattern baldness. Finasteride (also known as the brand name Propecia) helps improve hair loss on the top of the scalp and receding hairlines by decreasing hair loss and promoting new hair growth.
• Anti-androgens: Some women who don’t respond well to minoxidil may respond well to anti-androgens instead, according to Harvard Health. Anti-androgens, such as spironolactone, reduce the production of male hormones in the body that can accelerate hair loss in women. These medications may be especially helpful for women with PCOS who tend to produce more male hormones.    
• Corticosteroids: The National Alopecia Areata Foundation lists topical steroids as a good treatment option for hair loss caused by alopecia areata. Some studies have shown that highly potent topical steroids can improve hair regrowth by up to 25%.  
• Antifungals: For hair loss that’s caused by a fungal infection, antifungal medications can help. Topical antifungals don’t reach deep enough into hair follicles, so antifungals must be taken orally. Grifulvin and Lamisil are two FDA-approved antifungals for tinea capitis.

Natural and home remedies

Some natural and home remedies can treat hair loss and help regrow hair naturally. Here are some of the best natural remedies for hair loss: 

• Iron supplements: Nutritional deficiencies can be linked to hair loss, especially for women. If you think you might have an iron deficiency, your doctor can run a test for you to find out. If you are deficient in iron, taking an iron supplement may help with your hair loss. 
• Viviscal: An oral marine protein supplement that can help promote hair growth for women experiencing temporary hair thinning. One 2015 study found that viviscal promotes hair growth and decreases hair loss.  
• Healthy diet: Eating a healthy diet can make a big difference for overall hair health. A whole foods and nutrient-rich diet will promote healthy hair growth by supplying the body with essential nutrients it needs to function correctly. Foods packed full of hair-growing nutrients include pumpkin seeds, chia seeds, flax seeds, wild-caught salmon, green tea, bone broth, and small amounts of caffeine.  
• Meditation and stress-relieving activities: To reduce the stress that might be causing your hair loss, you might try incorporating some stress-relieving activities into your everyday routine like meditation, yoga, walking, or swimming. 

Hair transplant surgery 

Hair transplant surgery takes small pieces of the scalp with hair follicles on them and moves them to areas of baldness. A doctor or dermatologist will perform the surgery, and the patient is typically under local anesthesia.  

Laser therapy 

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved two low-light lasers to help treat hair loss. The HairMax Lasercomb is approved to treat female-pattern hair loss and male-pattern hair loss, and the Theradome LH80 PRO Helmet is also approved to treat hair loss.   

The right hair loss treatment for you will depend on what’s causing your hair loss. The best way to pick a great treatment plan is to talk with your doctor about your hair loss concerns. A doctor or dermatologist can help determine what’s causing your hair loss and recommend a treatment plan based on your medical history and symptoms.