Hair fall can be a distressing experience for anyone, but it is more common than you might think. According to research, an average person loses around 50-100 strands of hair per day.

Excessive hair loss, on the other hand, is a sign of an underlying health issue. Understanding the reasons behind hair fall can help you take the necessary steps to regrow and prevent further hair loss. Here are some of the most common reasons why your hair is falling out.

1. Genetics

One of the most common reasons for hair loss is genetics. If you have a family history of hair loss, there are high chances of you experiencing the same. Pattern baldness is a condition that affects both men and women.

It causes hair loss from the crown and temples, leading to partial or complete baldness.

Men are more susceptible to pattern baldness than women due to male hormones in the body. Female pattern baldness, however, is also a real condition, and women can experience thinning of hair on the crown and temples.

2. Hormones

Changes in hormones can also lead to hair loss. For instance, women who are pregnant often experience thicker hair due to the hormones. However, after giving birth, the hormones return to normal, leading to hair loss.

The same applies to women experiencing menopause. An imbalance in hormones can cause hair to fall out in clumps, leading to thinning of hair.

3. Stress

A person’s physical and mental health is directly linked to their hair health. High stress levels can cause hair follicles to enter the resting phase. During this phase, hair stops growing and eventually falls out.

This condition is called telogen effluvium. The hair loss can be identified in clumps, but once the person’s stress levels decrease, the hair growth resumes.

4. Thyroid Problems

The thyroid gland in the body is responsible for releasing hormones that regulate metabolism. An underactive thyroid, also known as hypothyroidism, can cause the body’s metabolism to slow down, leading to thinning of hair.

This condition can cause the hair growth to slow down in some places and stop completely in others.

5. Nutritional Deficiencies

The hair on our head contains keratin, a protein made up of amino acids. A balanced diet rich in vitamins and minerals helps provide our hair with the necessary nutrients.

A deficiency in essential vitamins like Vitamin B, iron, and zinc can cause hair to become brittle and weak, leading to hair loss.

6. Hairstyling Products and Techniques

Hairstyling products and techniques like hot rollers, hair straighteners, and dyes can damage the hair, leading to hair fall. Hair can also break due to tight braids, ponytails, or hair extensions that pull on the follicles.

Over-styling the hair can lead to hair loss and thinning of the hair.

7. Medical Conditions

There are medical conditions that can cause hair fall. Scalp conditions like alopecia areata cause the immune system to attack hair follicles, leading to hair loss.

Trichotillomania is a mental health condition where the person has an urge to pull out their hair, leading to hair fall.

8. Medications

Medications like chemotherapy, used to treat cancer, can cause hair fall. Other medications that cause hair loss include antidepressants, blood thinners, and acne medications.

9. Poor Lifestyle Habits

Poor lifestyle habits like excessive smoking and drinking can damage hair follicles, leading to hair fall. Smoking causes damage to the blood vessels, reducing the amount of oxygen that reaches the scalp, leading to hair fall.

Furthermore, chemicals in alcohol are toxic to the hair and can damage it over time.

10. Aging

As we age, our hair follicles shrink and stop producing new hair. This leads to hair thinning and baldness. Hair loss due to aging is a natural process, and everyone experiences it to some extent.

However, a healthy diet and lifestyle can promote healthy hair even as we age.

Conclusion

Overall, there are several reasons why hair falls out, and each case is unique. If you are experiencing hair loss, it is best to consult a doctor who can identify the underlying condition and provide the necessary treatment.

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle and a balanced diet can help prevent hair loss and promote hair growth. Remember, some hair fall is normal, but excessive hair fall is a sign that something is wrong.