Why Does My Hair Fall Out

There are few things worse than finding large clumps of hair in your hairbrush. And if your hair is falling out, we’ll bet that you’re anxious to figure out why. In this article, we will tell you exactly why your hair may be falling out.

Genetics

Genetic hair loss is common, occurring in both males and females. The scientific name for hereditary baldness is androgenic alopecia, in which hair follicles shrink and malfunction.

You can slow or even stop hair loss from androgenic alopecia with products containing minoxidil or finasteride. Without hair implants, it may be difficult to regrow hair lost from androgenic alopecia. 

Alopecia Areata

Most people have heard of alopecia areata, a condition in which the immune system targets and attacks your hair follicles, leading to hair loss. If you suspect that you may have alopecia, you should contact a dermatologist in your area so that they can give you a definitive diagnosis. 

Hair loss associated with alopecia areata can be reversed with professional treatment. 

Traction Alopecia

Traction alopecia is hair loss caused by prolonged pulling on the scalp. If you wear your hair in a tight style or wear ponytails frequently, you could experience hair loss wherever the hair was being pulled. Once your hair follicles are damaged, it can be tough to grow hair back in affected areas. However, if you wear your hair in loose hairstyles and limit ponytails, you can stop hair loss from traction alopecia. 

Chemical Damage

Chemical damage is yet another cause of hair loss. Women and men who color, chemically straighten, or perm their hair, could be damaging their hair follicles. The chances of getting chemical damage are higher if you don’t use chemical hair treatments as intended. Limiting the use of chemicals in your hair can help to prevent further hair loss, but once the follicles are damaged, hair cannot grow from them. 

Hormones

Hormonal imbalances are also known to cause hair loss. The following hormonal conditions could be to blame: 

• Pregnancy/Postpartum hair loss
• Thyroid problems
•  POS - Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome
• Menopause 

While postpartum hair loss is usually short-lived, other conditions caused by hormonal imbalances may not resolve on their own. We recommend seeing a professional for an evaluation, as hormone replacement therapy may be effective in regrowing hair. 

Other Causes of Hair Loss

• Vitamin deficiency
• Medication
• Infection of the scalp
• Illness or stress

Get Help for Hair Loss

It can be difficult to determine when to seek professional help for hair loss. If you believe that you’ve damaged your hair and know how to remedy it, you can try fixing it yourself. But if you’ve tried changing your hair care routine and styling habits to no avail, it may be time to see a professional.

Some sources of hair loss are progressive, meaning that the longer you wait to seek treatment, the more hair you’ll lose. We hope that this article gives you the information you need to find the cause of your hair loss.

Author: Andrea Reyes

Andrea is a mother, wife, writer, and natural hair enthusiast of 15 years. Currently on her natural hair journey, she’s been trying countless products and techniques to understand and embrace her natural hair. She is the creator of NaturallyTextured.com, a new website featuring informative articles that share tips, tricks, and techniques aimed to help others learn to love their hair through proper hair care. She writes with the hope of making hair care easier to understand and implement.