Hair loss can seem like a super scary thing, but there are lots of reasons why our hair falls out. It could be a genetic thing, hormones, your scalp, medical conditions, stress, or even your diet. If you’ve been noticing more hair fallout than normal, there are many reasons behind it. So, I’ve listed some of the many common and sneaky reasons why our hair could be falling out. Take a look below.
1 Changing of Seasons
The in-between time amid seasons not only makes it hard on our allergies, but it’s also a pain on our hair. According to dermatologist Dr. Francesca Fusco, it’s also the prime time for our hair to fall out. She says that whenever there’s a shift in the weather, it triggers our bodies to go into an adjustment period which can in turn mess with our hair growth cycle. Hair growth is usually at its peak in the summer so it’s natural to experience increased hair loss at the end of summer.
Frequently asked questions
2 Always Wearing the Same Hairstyle
I don’t know about you, but since my schedule can be so crazy sometimes, I tend to wear my hair in the same style, or no style at all, to save time. One of my go-to styles is throw my hair back in a ponytail. As convenient as it is, it can wreck our hair if we wear our hair up too often. Think about all the times you wear your hair in a tight topknot or ponytail, it can really add up and cause breakage and hair loss. Give your hair a break from tight hairstyles and elastics a few days a week and you’ll probably see a difference in your hair.
3 You’re Not Eating Enough Protein
Vegans, vegetarians, and even carnivores can lack protein in their diet. The American Academy of Dermatology says that when your diet lacks protein, it can cause your body to start regulating protein by slowing down hair growth. It’s not always easy to eat a totally balanced diet all the time when you’ve got so many things going on, but it’s important to make it a priority for our health and hair’s sake. Make sure you include lean protein in your diet such as fish, eggs, meat, peas, quinoa, nuts, beans, and tofu.
4 Stress
Stress is inevitable in our lives, but we do have a choice in how we respond to the stressors in our lives. School, work, family, relationships, deaths in the family, and so many other things pop up and stress us out emotionally which can cause hair loss. The good news is, it will stop falling out, but be sure to take time to regulate the stress in your life. Combat stress and anxiety with exercise, talking to a friend or counselor, or with some me time.
5 Too Much Styling
We all like to wear our hair in different styles whether it’s straight, curly, wavy, or a combination of all of the above. But with all that heat styling comes damage and stress on our hair. Even the chemicals from keratin treatments can seriously strain our tresses and cause breakage and hair loss. Always apply a heat protectant before using heat tools and don’t forget to give your hair a break from heat every now and then!
6 Your Pillowcase
Our poor pillowcases get blamed for a lot of things such as causing breakouts, wrinkles, and even causing our hair to fall out. Cotton pillowcases can be rough on our delicate skin and hair and its coarse texture can absorb moisture so the friction between your pillowcase and hair can cause damage and breakage. Opt for something softer such as silk or satin on your pillowcase which will not only benefit your hair, but your skin.
7 Major Weight Loss
If you’ve recently lost some weight, such as 15 pounds or more, it could be the reason behind hair loss. The American Academy of Dermatology says that even when you lose weight by healthy means, it can cause hair to fall out, but it will stop on its own. If you’re trying to lose weight, make sure you’re getting enough essential nutrients at each meal.
Do you think any of these sneaky causes of hair loss could be the reason you’re losing hair? There are other causes such as certain medical conditions, medications, and heredity. So, if you try switching up the way you treat your hair and you don’t see much of a difference, have a talk with your doctor to get to the bottom of it.
