Hair loss is an unpleasant nightmare for many people, making them afraid to look at their comb or brush after styling. Thick and healthy hair is often considered a sign of overall health, and we feel confident with it. We have outlined the most common causes of hair loss so that you can address this concern in time and prevent it.
It’s important to note that hair loss is as natural as nail growth or the shedding of skin cells. Of course, only to a certain extent. On average, a person loses about 50-100 hair a day (if you have especially thick hair, it could be as much as 150). If you wash and comb your hair frequently, you might think it’s falling out more than it should, but that’s simply because you see it more often.
You should be concerned when you notice that your hair is thinning (i.e., falling out faster than it can grow back). People with long hair may notice this, for example, when braiding or tying their hair into a ponytail, which suddenly has less volume. Or you might simply notice your scalp showing through, and your hair no longer covers it adequately.
How Does Hair Grow?
We have around 100,000 hair follicles on our head, and each one has a lifespan of about two to five years. Hair growth occurs in three phases: anagen, catagen, and telogen.
Anagen Phase (Growth Phase):
- About 80-90% of your hair is in the anagen phase.
- During this phase, the cells in the hair follicle (the tissue from which the hair grows) grow rapidly, divide, and differentiate, leading to hair lengthening—usually about 1 cm per month.
- This phase can last several years, and its duration depends on genetics, lifestyle, and other factors.
Catagen Phase (Transition Phase):
- The catagen phase is a short transition phase between the anagen and telogen phases.
- During this phase, hair growth stops, and the vascular supply to the hair is halted.
- This phase lasts only a few weeks and accounts for about 1-2% of hair.
Telogen Phase (Resting Phase):
- In the telogen phase, the hair follicle becomes inactive, and the hair is prepared to shed.
- Once the hair falls out, a new cycle of the anagen phase begins at its place.
- During this phase, about 8-15% of hair is in the resting phase.
As mentioned, excessive hair loss isn’t so much about how many hairs fall out during the telogen phase, but whether the lost hairs are replaced by new ones growing in.
Hair Loss and Genetics: Androgenetic Alopecia
Androgenetic alopecia is the most common type of hair loss in men, but it’s also quite common in women. By the age of 50, about 50% of men are affected. For women, it tends to appear later, and by age 70, around 30-40% of women are affected (but it can begin after menopause). In men, it manifests as receding hairlines, bald spots on the crown, or overall thinning hair.
The main culprits are hormones called androgens. These are male sex hormones, but they are present in lower concentrations in women as well. The primary androgen associated with androgenetic alopecia is dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a hormone created from testosterone.
Androgenetic alopecia is strongly influenced by genetics. If your ancestors suffer from this type of hair loss, you’re more likely to experience it as well. Hair follicles become hypersensitive to the effects of DHT, leading to the gradual shortening of the anagen phase of hair growth. This results in new hair growing shorter and thinner until eventually, the follicle stops producing hair altogether.
Since this hair loss is genetically determined, it is harder to prevent. However, if you:
- Maintain a healthy lifestyle,
- Protect your hair from excessive sunlight (wear hats and caps in summer) and heat (limit the use of hair straighteners and avoid high heat when blow-drying),
- Use gentle shampoos and wash your hair with lukewarm (not hot) water,
- Avoid tightly pulling your hair into ponytails and other tight hairstyles,
You may delay or reduce the onset of androgenetic alopecia. There are also medications (5-alpha reductase inhibitors) that can be used after consulting with a doctor. Another potential solution is hair transplantation.
Tip: Also, read about the types of hair transplantation.
Hair Loss and Hormones
In addition to sensitivity to DHT, there are other possible hormonal causes. In women, hair loss can be caused by hormonal imbalances due to pregnancy, childbirth, menopause, or even an unsuitable hormonal contraceptive.
In these cases, you shouldn’t worry because this type of hair loss is usually temporary and should stop once your hormone levels stabilize.
During menopause, a woman’s body produces more progesterone than estrogen (in pregnancy, the body has an excess of estrogen). This hormonal imbalance can also cause hair loss. If this is the case for you, we recommend increasing your intake of fiber-rich foods, which help excrete estrogen.
Another possible cause of hair loss in both men and women is thyroid problems. If thyroid disorders run in your family, it’s a good idea to get tested to ensure your thyroid is functioning properly.
Diet and Lifestyle Influence
Don’t forget the impact of diet and lifestyle. Hair loss can also be caused by significant weight loss, so avoid drastic diets and excessive stress. Chronic stress can affect the growth cycles of your hair.
When it comes to diet, vitamins B, C, and E, iron, zinc, magnesium, and proteins are essential for preventing hair loss. Include legumes, eggs, red meat, soy, fish, seafood, leafy greens, avocado, broccoli, bananas, peas, or nuts and seeds in your diet. Hair follicles need an adequate amount of nutrients for proper functioning.
Limiting smoking and alcohol consumption also positively impacts hair loss, as they can affect blood flow to the hair follicles, weakening the hair. Additionally, getting enough sleep is crucial (lack of sleep affects immunity and hormones).
Tip: Also, read about hair injection regeneration.
Poor Hair Care
Finally, poor hair care also contributes to hair loss. It’s important not to expose your hair to high temperatures—wash it with lukewarm water, set the blow dryer to low heat, or let your hair dry naturally. Use hair straighteners, curling irons, and other similar devices only occasionally, and always apply heat protection products.
Excessive hair coloring can weaken your hair, and tightly pulling hair into ponytails and other tight hairstyles may also contribute to hair loss, so try to limit them.
It’s also worth using high-quality (and natural) hair care products suitable for your hair type and scalp, massaging them thoroughly into your scalp. Don’t focus just on washing the length of your hair, but especially on your scalp. Experts usually recommend using at least shampoo, conditioner, and a hair mask.
Note: You may have noticed that hair falls out more in spring and fall, similar to animal fur shedding. This is normal for the hair growth cycle, and you shouldn’t be worried.
Identify the Cause
As with most conditions, the most important step is identifying the cause. Similarly, you can’t effectively fight hair loss unless you know which of the causes listed above (or their combination) applies to you. Therefore, consult a dermatologist or undergo our expert hair loss diagnosis to find out what you’re facing and how you can manage hair loss.