What Causes Hair Thinning? 8 Common Reasons You Should Know

Finding more hair strands on your pillows or hairbrush, or in the shower these days? Commonly referred to as hair thinning, it is widely present amount men and women, especially due to the fast-paced lifestyle of modern day.

However, before jumping to medications, shampoos, promising serums, and expensive treatments to reduce your hair fall, it is important to consider the root cause of hair thinning, as it can help select the right treatment for lasting results.

In this blog, we will break down the most common reasons behind hair thinning so that you can take the right measures to restore your hair health.

1. Hair care mistakes that lead to hair thinning

Use of harsh shampoos or conditioners can break your hair follicles and dry up your scalp, resulting in hair fall. Frequently having tight hairstyles can break your hair strands from the follicles, leading to thin spots over time.

Regular use of heat-style tools without heat protectants can harm your hair shaft, leading to severely dry hair and thinning, followed by increased hair loss.

2. Stress-related hair thinning

Lack of sleep and chronic stress can disrupt your hair’s natural growth cycle, slowing down high growth, resulting in increased shedding, a condition called Telogen Effluvium. The signs usually show up a few months after the stressful event.

The condition is temporary and can be treated with simple lifestyle changes, such as sufficient sleep, relaxation, and healthy routines.

3. Age-related hair thinning

Aging is a natural factor that plays a key role in declining hair strength, as the strands naturally become thinner and hair grows more slowly. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, aging causes hair follicles to shrink over time, leading to hair thinning and reduced hair growth.

Lifestyle changes, such as good nutrition and a better hair care routine, can effectively support healthy hair growth, followed by early preventive treatment if needed.

4. Nutritional deficiencies causing hair loss

Lack of vitamins and minerals can slow down hair growth and weaken its health in the long term, leading to increased thinning.

Regardless of the reasons for your hair thinning and hair loss, the importance of diet and lifestyle must not be undermined. To begin with, your hair needs the exact nutrients to grow strong and remain healthy. Protein, Vitamin D, Zinc, Biotin, Iron, and so on.

5. Hormonal imbalance-related Hair Thinning

Hormonal changes such as pregnancy, menopause, or thyroid concerns can also weaken hair health. Changes in hormone production can lead to finer strands, reducing the overall hair volume.

Hair thinning due to hormonal imbalance is commonly observed in women, especially after childbirth, due to the fluctuations in estrogen levels. By treating the root cause of hormonal imbalance, it is possible to restore healthy hair.

6. Genetic causes of hair thinning

Genetics often predict the sensitivity of your hair follicles to hormones, making the hair thinner, weaker, and shorter over time. Scientifically referred to as Androgenetic Alopecia or pattern hair loss, the signs show up gradually over time.

In women, this can look like thinning at the top of the scalp, whereas in men, this often starts with thinning at the crown or a receding hairline.

7.Daily routine

Hence, it is recommended to start making small changes. A good amount of sleep, a balanced diet, and effective stress management can give your hair the primary care it needs.

Switching your shampoos and conditioners frequently for better hair can often do more damage than good. Furthermore, lack of sleep, smoking, and dehydration can severely impact your overall hair health.

8. Medical conditions and medications

Certain medications, antidepressants, chemotherapy, and blood thinners, can lead to hair loss. Anemia, PCOS, scalp infections, autoimmune diseases, and thyroid issues are some of the medical conditions that can trigger hair loss and faster shedding.

However, once the underlying medical issues are addressed, your hair loss may reduce along with medications for hair growth as prescribed by the trichologist.

Damaging hair care habits you need to stop today

Here are some of the quick and easy measures you can take right away to reduce hair damage and hair thinning:

• Turn down the heat in straighteners, curling irons, and blow dryers, as these can easily break your hair strands.
• Be careful with chemicals, as frequent hair coloring, straightening, and smoothening can severely damage your hair’s health, from the roots.
• Do not brush wet hair roughly, as the wrong brush can easily break the hair strands.
• Avoid washing your hair frequently, as it can disrupt your hair’s natural oils, leading to dryness, thinning, and breakage.
• Take care of your scalp by switching to the right haircare routine based on your hair type.
• Protect your hair from saltwater, chlorine water, and the sun by using the necessary protective products when needed.
• Reduce tight hairstyles, as over time, this can pull on your hair and cause permanent thinning.

When to consult a hair specialist

While the above-mentioned measures can improve hair strength and reduce shedding to an extent, prolonged hair thinning calls for expert treatment. This helps address the underlying cause and seek the ideal treatment for lasting results.

So, when is the right time to consult a hair specialist? Here are some of the signs you want to follow:

• Increased hair thinning and shedding for more than 3 months.
• Itchy scalp followed by redness and scaling.
• Worsening hair loss from hereditary hair thinning.
• Visible bald patches along with severe hair loss.
• Lack of results from home remedies and lifestyle changes.

The bottom line

While the reasons for hair thinning may vary, and so does the severity of the condition, early treatment and proper diagnosis can help manage hair loss before it escalates.

Switching to a healthy lifestyle, including a balanced diet and the right hair care routine, can strengthen your hair follicles, produce thicker strands, and restore shiny, healthy hair. However, you need to be consistent with your haircare and follow specialist guidance strictly.

If you or your loved one is starting to experience hair thinning or has sudden hair loss, early treatment can give the best and lasting results. Here at Dr. Health clinic, our expert trichologist, Dr. Shahid Shamsher, uses in-depth tricho-analysis to identify the root cause and provides personalized hair loss treatment plan for high-quality results.