What Causes Hair Fall: Common Reasons for Hair Falling Out
Hair fall is a normal part of the hair life cycle, but if you’re experiencing excess shedding, thinning, or prolonged periods of hair fall, it can take a toll on your confidence.
While hair fall is one of the primary hair concerns among men and women, there are a multitude of reasons for hair thinning or falling out. That’s why it’s important to pinpoint what causes hair fall, so you can modify your hair care routine and habits accordingly.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll take you through the most common reasons for hair falling out – and the steps you can take to mitigate shedding and thinning.
What is hair fall?
It can be confronting to find large amounts of hair in your hairbrush, in the shower, or on your pillowcase. However, hair shedding is a normal phase of our healthy renewal cycle – and it happens to everyone.
On average, we lose around 80 to 100 strands of hair each day. Our hair follicles go through natural periods of growth and shedding, and each hair shaft is replaced once this cycle is complete.
When we do notice increased hair fall, it’s because the number of hairs in the shedding phase outweighs the number in the growth phase.
What causes hair loss?
We’re all unique – and so is our hair fall journey. There might be one specific trigger for your hair fall, but there could be several sources at play.
So, what causes hair to fall out? While hair fall can be a byproduct of everyday stressors that we apply to our hair, hormone fluctuations, age, genetic disposition, diet, and stress may also be the culprit.
Managing hair fall starts with understanding your environment. By recognising the factors that trigger hair fall, you can adjust your habits and hair care practices to work towards a fuller mane.
Below are the major factors that affect hair fall and thinning.
Age and genetics
Hereditary hair fall runs in families and mostly affects the scalp. As we age, the rate of hair growth slows and many of us (especially men) experience hair fall. This change usually begins to take place around middle age. Alongside hair fall, our hair strands actually shrink and lose pigment, resulting in the fine and light-coloured hair we recognise in ageing.
Age and genetics
Hereditary hair fall runs in families and mostly affects the scalp. As we age, the rate of hair growth slows and many of us (especially men) experience hair fall. This change usually begins to take place around middle age. Alongside hair fall, our hair strands actually shrink and lose pigment, resulting in the fine and light-coloured hair we recognise in ageing.
Gender
What causes hair fall in women is similar to what causes hair fall in men, although the rate of progression tends to be slower in women than men1. Men may notice increased hair fall in their thirties and forties, while women are more likely to experiencing hair thinning in their forties and fifties2. Genetics will likely also play a role here.
Thinning and hair fall patterns differ between men and women:
Men tend to experience hair fall on the top and front of the head.
Women tend to experience diffuse thinning at the crown and the centre part.
Gender
What causes hair fall in women is similar to what causes hair fall in men, although the rate of progression tends to be slower in women than men1. Men may notice increased hair fall in their thirties and forties, while women are more likely to experiencing hair thinning in their forties and fifties2. Genetics will likely also play a role here.
Thinning and hair fall patterns differ between men and women:
Men tend to experience hair fall on the top and front of the head.
Women tend to experience diffuse thinning at the crown and the centre part.
Hormonal imbalances
Changes to our hormones have wide-reaching effects on our body. Androgens (male hormones) don’t tend to support hair growth, and an increase in androgens over time may be what causes hair to fall out.
On the other hand, women produce oestrogen, which is actually very friendly to hair growth. When oestrogen levels drop or change due to contraceptive pills, pregnancy, and childbirth, the growth phase of our hair cycle can be disrupted, leading to hair fall.
Hormonal imbalances
Changes to our hormones have wide-reaching effects on our body. Androgens (male hormones) don’t tend to support hair growth, and an increase in androgens over time may be what causes hair to fall out.
On the other hand, women produce oestrogen, which is actually very friendly to hair growth. When oestrogen levels drop or change due to contraceptive pills, pregnancy, and childbirth, the growth phase of our hair cycle can be disrupted, leading to hair fall.
Stress levels
Heightened stress is pretty much a given in our busy lives, but sometimes, stress and hair fall can go hand-in-hand. Remember androgens? This hormone increases during periods of stress and, because androgens aren’t hair-promoting, it may trigger hair fall.
When we experience stress, our body also produces cortisol (the hormone which assists our fight or flight response). Cortisol can impact our natural production of oils, which can lead to a dry or flaky scalp and stunt hair growth.
Stress levels
Heightened stress is pretty much a given in our busy lives, but sometimes, stress and hair fall can go hand-in-hand. Remember androgens? This hormone increases during periods of stress and, because androgens aren’t hair-promoting, it may trigger hair fall.
When we experience stress, our body also produces cortisol (the hormone which assists our fight or flight response). Cortisol can impact our natural production of oils, which can lead to a dry or flaky scalp and stunt hair growth.
Vitamin and iron deficiencies
Iron is integral to the production of our hair proteins. Experiencing a deficiency in iron – no matter how extreme – can affect the health and cycle of your locks. Alongside this, a deficiency in vitamin B12 (which helps red blood cells and oxygen) tampers with the tissue that supports healthy hair growth and length. Eating a balanced, nutrient-rich diet can help foster a healthier environment for hair growth.
Vitamin and iron deficiencies
Iron is integral to the production of our hair proteins. Experiencing a deficiency in iron – no matter how extreme – can affect the health and cycle of your locks. Alongside this, a deficiency in vitamin B12 (which helps red blood cells and oxygen) tampers with the tissue that supports healthy hair growth and length. Eating a balanced, nutrient-rich diet can help foster a healthier environment for hair growth.
Breakage from chemical treatments and styling
Chemically damaged hair – be it caused by bleaching, colouring, perming, or other factors – can deteriorate your hair bonds and lead dry, brittle hair that struggles to retain moisture.
When hair is severely damaged, it can lead to snapping and breaking – which may be one reason for hair falling out prematurely. Excessive heat styling can also weaken and dry out the hair, adding to damage and potential breakage.
Breakage from chemical treatments and styling
Chemically damaged hair – be it caused by bleaching, colouring, perming, or other factors – can deteriorate your hair bonds and lead dry, brittle hair that struggles to retain moisture.
When hair is severely damaged, it can lead to snapping and breaking – which may be one reason for hair falling out prematurely. Excessive heat styling can also weaken and dry out the hair, adding to damage and potential breakage.
6 tips to manage hair fall
Hair fall prevention requires a tune-up from the inside and out. By working towards a balanced lifestyle and supporting your hair growth with certain dietary intakes, alongside haircare products that instil prevention, you can help mitigate your hair fall concerns.
Use a targeted anti-hair fall serum – Hair serums can help deliver essential nutrients and ingredients to your scalp, all of which can promote hair growth and scalp health. You can boost your anti-hair fall routine with the Genesis Anti-Hair Fall Fortifying Hair Serum to promote stronger strands and minimise shedding from breakage and brushing. For intensive anti-hair fall treatment, we recommend the Spécifique Aminexil Force R Scalp Treatment.
Eat a nutrient-rich diet – Make sure your diet contains a balance of good fats and nutrients. To take this important step even further, consider using multivitamin and iron supplements to keep those levels up.
Avoid tight hair styles – Continually wearing tight hair styles like slick backs can place unnecessary strain on the hair, weakening follicles and leading to diffuse thinning around the hairline. Switch up your styling with soft, loose hair styles and avoid tying your hair up while you sleep.
Take a break from chemical processing – To give your scalp and locks a chance to recover, avoid chemical treatments like bleaching and colouring to help strengthen hair and stop hair breakage.
Consult a specialist – What causes hair fall for you might be related to genetic or hormonal factors. So, you might consider consulting a qualified professional for advice.
Now that you understand what causes hair loss, you can seek out the right hair care ingredients to nourish your scalp. Next, explore the benefits of vitamin E for hair growth.
An intensive 6 weeks program to counteract hair loss and preserve hair density. Scalp irritation is reduced, hair density is improved & hair is nourished.
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