Why Your Hair Is Falling Out, And What Dermatologists Look for First

Hair falling out can feel alarming, especially when your brush or shower drain seems to collect more strands than usual. 

Before panic settles in, it’s helpful to understand that hair shedding vs. hair loss aren’t always the same thing, and many factors, from stress to hormones and genetics, can play a role. 

Together, let’s break down what’s normal and when it might signal something more serious.

Normal Shedding vs. Hair Loss

Most people shed between 50 and 100 hairs per day as part of the natural hair growth cycle. That’s still hair falling out, but it isn’t usually noticeable or alarming. 

When hair falls out in greater amounts than the body can replace, or when thinning becomes noticeable, that’s when dermatologists refer to it as hair loss or alopecia.

Common Causes of Hair Loss

Here are the most frequent reasons dermatologists flag hair loss causes:

1. Genetics and Pattern Hair Loss

Androgenetic alopecia, often called male or female pattern baldness, is the most common reason hair thins over time. 

It’s hereditary and typically shows up as a receding hairline in men or diffuse thinning on the crown in women. While it can begin at any age after puberty, it often becomes more noticeable with age.

2. Stress and Telogen Effluvium

Sudden or prolonged stress can disrupt the hair growth cycle, pushing more hairs into the resting (telogen) phase and resulting in excessive shedding a few months later. 

This condition, known as telogen effluvium, often follows major emotional or physical stressors such as illness, surgery, rapid weight loss, or major life events.

3. Hormonal Changes

Hormones have a major influence on our hair. Fluctuations during pregnancy, childbirth, menopause, or thyroid disease can lead to more hair falling out than usual. Conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) can also affect hair growth.

4. Nutritional Deficiencies

Hair needs proper nourishment to grow. A lack of protein, iron, zinc, vitamin D, or other important nutrients can compromise our follicle health and lead to thinning or shedding. Crash diets or prolonged poor nutrition can be particularly impactful.

5. Autoimmune Conditions

In some cases, the immune system mistakenly attacks hair follicles, causing patchy hair loss. One example is alopecia areata, an autoimmune disorder where hair can fall out in small, round patches.

6. Medical Treatments and Illness

Certain medical treatments, especially chemotherapy and radiation, can cause dramatic hair loss. Other illnesses, infections, and chronic conditions can interfere with the hair growth cycle, as well.

7. Haircare and Styling Habits

Everyday habits matter, too. Tight hairstyles like braids or ponytails that pull on the hair can cause traction alopecia over time, weakening the strands and leading to breakage and loss. Excessive heat styling, chemical treatments, and rough brushing can also damage our hair.

When to See a Dermatologist

If you’re losing much more hair than usual, notice thinning patches, or have tried home remedies without improvement, it’s smart to see a dermatologist. 

Losing noticeably more than 100 hairs per day or experiencing sudden, heavy shedding can be a sign of an underlying condition worth chatting with your doctor about.

A dermatologist can do a thorough exam, review your history, order blood tests for nutrient or hormone imbalances, or even perform a scalp biopsy if needed. 

This will help pinpoint whether your hair loss is from a treatable condition or part of normal aging.

How to Stop Hair Loss (and What Helps)

Treatment varies based on the cause, but a few common approaches include:

• Medical Treatments: Topical minoxidil or prescription medications for pattern hair loss

• Addressing Deficiencies: Supplements or dietary changes when tests reveal low iron or vitamin D

• Stress Management: Meditation, therapy, and lifestyle changes to reduce telogen effluvium triggers

• Gentle Haircare: Avoiding tight styles and harsh treatments that weaken strands 

The most important thing to note here is that your next move should start with a conversation with your healthcare provider. 

Your Hair Is Sending a Signal

Hair loss is rarely random. When your hair is falling out, it’s usually responding to something measurable like stress, hormones, nutrition, genetics, or a medical shift your body is navigating.

That’s why the most helpful next step isn’t guessing or buying the loudest product on the shelf. 

It’s paying attention to timing, patterns, and changes, and getting clear on whether what you’re seeing is temporary shedding or true hair loss.

For most of us, hair regrowth happens once the underlying trigger is addressed. For others, early treatment can make a meaningful difference in slowing or stabilizing the loss. Either way, understanding why your hair is falling out puts you back in control.

If shedding feels sudden, excessive, or persistent, a dermatologist can help you connect the dots and rule out issues that aren’t obvious on the surface. 

Hair doesn’t fall out without a reason, and finding that reason is often the first step toward getting it back on track.

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