Hair Loss Causes: Why Is My Hair Falling Out?!

What causes hair loss? It's understandable that you're wondering. Hair loss can have several causes, but not everyone understands why. But don't worry! In this article, I'll explain the most common causes of hair loss!

Hereditary baldness is the most common form of hair loss. This type of hair loss, also called Androgenetic Alopecia , is inherited from your parents. And what many people don't know is that it can affect both men and women.

Exactly how this happens is very complicated. But simply put, this form of hair loss occurs when your hair is extra sensitive to the hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT). This hormone then causes your hair to become smaller and thinner, until it disappears completely in some areas.

And what can you do about it? Well... not much, actually. There are certain medications that slow down the process and can make your hair appear thicker. But these medications often come with nasty side effects.

Nowadays, there are certain natural hair growth products specifically designed to maintain healthy hair growth and strength. A natural alternative without the nasty side effects of all that chemical junk. Ideal, right?

This form of hair loss is the second most common cause of hair loss. I know it might sound strange that stress causes hair loss, but it's true! Stress can disrupt your hormone balance.

Have you ever heard of cortisol? It's a hormone produced when you're stressed and is responsible for stress-related hair loss. Simply put, this happens because your hair completes its cycle faster during or after prolonged stressful situations. This can even cause entire clumps of hair to fall out simultaneously during extreme stress!

Thyroid disease can also cause hair loss. Now, I understand you're thinking, "What is thyroid disease? And how do I know if I have one?" Well... Approximately 500,000 people in the Netherlands suffer from hypothyroidism. The majority of these are women.

What many people don't know is that this condition can also cause hair loss. Your thyroid is responsible for many processes in your body, including your so-called basal metabolic functions. This is actually a very fancy term for the process that ensures that everything in your body works properly. Think of regulating your energy and oxygen, but also the growth of your hair, skin, and nails.

This is a cause of hair loss that generally only occurs in women. However, it's certainly possible that your hair will fall out if you style it too often. Often, many things used as "hair care" do more harm than good.

In the worst cases, it can even damage your hair, as happens with excessive styling. This is because your hair becomes weaker and can break off when exposed to excessive heat and certain chemicals.

Certain shampoos can also cause hair loss in both men and women. Especially if you wash your hair very often (e.g., daily), it's crucial to use the right products to prevent unnecessary hair loss.

How is this possible? Well… Certain shampoos contain a substance called sodium lauryl sulfate, also known as SLS. This substance strips the natural oils from your hair, making it very brittle and prone to breakage.

Even after giving birth, hair loss can occur. You probably noticed your hair getting thicker during pregnancy. That's why women are often quite shocked when their hair suddenly starts falling out, even though this is actually quite normal.

Because your hormonal balance is disrupted during pregnancy, almost all of your hair enters the growth phase of its cycle. Simply put, your hair continues to grow and almost none of it falls out, while this would normally be the case. When your hormonal balance returns after giving birth, these hairs will still fall out.

It may seem like a lot of hair is falling out now, but these are actually all hairs that should have fallen out already. Over time, your hair cycle will return to normal, and everything will return to normal. The duration of this type of hair loss varies from woman to woman and can continue for 3 to 8 months after pregnancy.

Finally, it's also common for hair to fall out because your body isn't getting the right nutrients. Your hair needs a certain set of vitamins and minerals to grow. And if you don't get these nutrients, your hair can't grow, of course.

The two most important nutrients your hair needs are vitamin B8 (also called biotin) and the mineral zinc.

Biotin is very important for maintaining normal hair, as it contributes to normal hair growth. It actually keeps your hair strong and shiny.

Zinc plays an important role in various bodily processes, including hair growth. It also keeps your hair strong and shiny, preventing it from falling out. Zinc is primarily found in meat, fish, seafood, nuts, and seeds.