Before your freak out over a few lost strands, it’s important to know that hair loss is totally normal. In fact, most women can lose between 50 and 100 hairs per day. But if you’re noticing more than a couple stray strands in the shower drain or some loose hairs in your brush, there is usually an underlying reason. Find out why your hair is falling out, plus essential scalp and hair products and treatments to help stimulate and support healthy hair growth.

Why is my hair falling out?

If you’re noticing sudden handfuls of hair falling out or wondering “why is my hair thinning!” with each passing birthday, there is probably a good reason.

Dr. Joel Schlessinger, board-certified dermatologist and LovelySkin CEO says,

"Hair loss is something that we are seeing more and more due to a number of reasons. First of all, we are talking about it more and that allows people to recognize that it is treatable and that treatments are improving over what we had in the past. Second, we may be seeing a spike in hair loss due to hormonal treatments and the aftermath of them. Third, we simply don't know why there is a huge increase. It could be the plastic in water bottles, though, so I am encouraging all my hair loss patients to avoid these and other sources of hormone disrupters in the environment. Not only is that going to be more healthy for you but it will also put pressure on companies to identify and take products off the market that simply are unsafe."

Hair thinning can also be a reactive symptom to things like poor diet, traumatic stress or aggressive hair treatments. Here are a few explanations why you’re seeing more loose hair than you’d like on your brush.

Reason #1: Hormones

Hair volume and density changes as women go through hormone-fluctuating events like pregnancy or menopause. During pregnancy, your body gets a boost of estrogen, which slows down the hair’s growth cycle and keeps your luscious locks intact. But, once you give birth, hormones normalize and all that volume can begin to fall out. It’s also suspected that the hormone fluctuations in menopause may cause hair to thin, but that may just coincide with normal hair loss at that age. If you suffer from an endocrine disorder like polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), an excess of androgens (male hormones that are not so friendly to hair growth) can also cause hair to fall out.

Product to Try: Viviscal Professional Supplements

If you’re suffering from hair loss due to a hormonal imbalance, it’s important to check in with your physician to treat the underlying problem. To jumpstart hair growth afterwards, try these twice-a-day oral supplements that are a 100% drug-free alternative to prescription treatments for thinning hair. They are formulated with an exclusive AminoMar Complex (derived from sustainably-sourced shark and mollusk powder) to stimulate healthy hair growth. Biotin, apple extract and vitamin C work to nourish and protect weak locks.

Reason #2: Skin Infections on the Scalp

While not always a symptom, skin infections like ringworm, folliculitis, staph or even conditions like eczema and psoriasis can lead to temporary hair thinning. If you’re experiencing hair loss due to skin infections, always check in with your dermatologist for the best course of treatment to clear up any infection.

Product to Try: Free & Clear Shampoo

Healthy hair begins at the scalp. If your hair is losing volume due to eczema or psoriasis, use this hypoallergenic shampoo to remove impurities, dirt and excess oil from the scalp without irritation, flaking or dryness.

Reason #3: Poor Diet

Believe it or not, your diet plays an essential role in hair growth. If you want full, luscious locks, eat a diet rich in vitamin B12, a protein found in fish, beef, lamb and dairy. B12 helps in the delivery of oxygen to your tissues, including hair follicles. If you’re not keen on animal proteins, try a vegan-safe B12 supplement.

Product to Try: HairMax LaserBand 82

Don’t worry, hair loss from poor diet is typically temporary, as long as you correct the deficiency and return to a more balanced diet. But, it can take some time for hair to return to its typical fullness. In the meantime, use this device that delivers safe, therapeutic light energy to the scalp to stimulate follicles and promote hair growth.

Product to Try: Ducray Anaphase+ Shampoo

This shampoo is the perfect companion to anti-hair loss treatments. It encourages microcirculation of the scalp for healthy growth while revitalizing dull and brittle strands with biotin and the vitamin complex Tocopherol Nicotinate and Ruscus Aculeatus Root Extract.

Reason #4: Stress

While normal, everyday stress doesn’t typically affect hair growth; extreme stress from a traumatic event, rapid weight loss or major surgery can affect your health in many ways, including hair thinning. In telogen effluvium (a scalp disorder that causes thinning or shedding hair), excessive stress pushes larger numbers of follicles into the resting phase and within a few months, hair can fall out from simple brushing or washing.

Product to Try: NuGene NuCell Anti-Hair Loss Serum

As your stress levels return to a more normal state, hair thinning should start to cease. To help boost healthy growth, try this potent hair serum that rejuvenates sluggish follicles with growth factors and cytokines and puts the protein strength back in thin strands with keratin.

Reason #5: Aggressive Hair Treatments and Styles

Over-styling, chemical treatments or bleaching can definitely take its toll on hair health. Avoid excessive breakage and brittleness by spacing out intensive treatments (or letting go and keeping hair au naturale) and saving your favorite up-do styles like the top knot for special occasions. These styles can place excessive weight and undue stress on hair.

Product to Try: Rene Furterer RF 80 Concentrated Hair Strengthening Formula

This hair growth treatment gives brittle, stressed hair a boost by encouraging healthy growth with biotin while strengthening roots with Brazilian Ginseng. It also promotes healthy blood circulation with lemon and sage essential oils and aids in the formation of keratin with methionine.

Reason #6: Other

There is a large “other” category beyond the typical reasons why many women experience hair loss. Sometimes, it’s simply due to genetics (alopecia) or age. But it can also be attributed to a thyroid disorder or lichen planopilaris, an inflammatory skin condition that causes patchy hair loss. Additionally, taking too much vitamin A is known to trigger sudden, but reversible hair loss. Anemia, which is an iron deficiency, can also cause excess hair to fall out and certain beta-blocker medications like blood thinners and blood pressure drugs can promote hair loss. If you’re noticing sudden hair thinning, it’s important to see a dermatologist for the correct treatment to address the underlying reason why your hair is falling out.

Check out our blog to learn how you can stop thinning hair and promote healthy hair growth.