11 Causes of Hair Fall (in males and females)

Hairfall is one of the most common issues billions of people face worldwide. But a question that must have come to everyone’s mind is, what causes hairs to fall? In this article, we’ll explore the causes of hair fall, whether for females or males.

Well, various reasons lead to falling out of hair. Here you must know that it’s perfectly fine for people to shed between 50 to 100 hair daily while combing and styling it. But if the number of falling hair increases with every passing day, you should consult a dermatologist or hair specialist.

In the past decade, biologists have explored how hair grows and how the hair is lost in conditions such as pattern baldness and alopecia areata. Following are some of the most critical factors that contribute to hair fall.

11 Causes of Hair Fall

1. Heredity

Heredity is one of the most common and natural causes of hair fall. Most of the time, our genes are the core of our health and psychological issues. Family history plays an integral part in causing hair fall. If your parents had thin hair and faced hair fall, you are most likely to have hair fall, but it’s not constant in every case.

This hereditary condition is known as androgenic Alopecia, male and female pattern baldness. It usually occurs in predictable patterns. Male pattern Baldness starts as a receding hairline and often occurs in your 20s and 30s.

According to research and statistics published on NCBI, about 80 percent of men experience male pattern baldness by the age of 80 years.

While in females, another research published on NCBI about Heredity Hair Fall shows that Pattern baldness is slightly different. Females often go through hair loss after menopause. It causes thinning hair along the scalp crown in most women. Research shows that women experience pattern hair loss by age 80 or above. 

2. Hormonal Changes and Medical Conditions

In females, Hormonal changes due to pregnancy, menstruation, menopause, and thyroid problem could cause temporary or permanent hair fall.

In males, the testosterone hormone causes severe hairfall. An enzyme called 5 alpha-reductase in hair follicles converts testosterone into dihydrotestosterone, causing hair loss in men.  

Alopecia, an immune system-related issue, causes patchy hair loss, scalp infection, and other hair problems. Medical conditions like lupus and diabetes lead to excessive hair loss.

Tip: 10 Best Shampoos for Hair fall in Pakistan

3. Medications and Supplements

One of the causes of hair fall might be medications and supplements. It could be a side effect of certain medications, drugs, and additional supplements. Medicines for cancer, arthritis, depression, heart problems, gout, and high blood pressure are most likely to cause hair fall.

Acne medications containing vitamin A (Retinoids), anti-depressants, birth control pills, anti-clotting drugs, cholesterol-lowering drugs, weight loss drugs, mood stabilizers, and steroids will weaken your hair and cause breakage.

4. Stressful Events

People who go through a very stressful event and a physical or emotional shock may face temporary hair loss. It has been seen that people with a hectic and challenging routine face hair loss more than others because they can’t take care of their hair very well.

Our hormones regulate the sleep cycle and increase hair growth. That’s why sleep has a direct impact on all functions of your body. Lack of sleep and poor sleep quality reduces hair health and eventually cause hair to fall. 

Other potential physiological factors are Stress and depression, which cause hair thinning, hair damage, and hair loss.

5. Hair Treatments

Nowadays, hair treatments are one of the most common causes of hair fall. Many hair treatments cause hair fall because they lead to loss of nutrients in the hair. Keratin treatment is the most significant cause of hair loss if done frequently.

In keratin treatments, chemicals, including germicide, fungicide, and disinfectant, are used. It may give your hair temporary texture and health, but in the long run, it damages hair, sensitizes your scalp, and increases dandruff and burning.

If you undergo hair treatments often, you may face permanent hair loss. You should try hot oil treatments that are chemical free and rich in essential oils properties.

6. Hair Styles

Excessive hair styling with hot irons and blow drying causes hair damage and shedding. Using styling irons damages the outermost layer of hair and causes moisture loss. Also, hairstyles that pull your hair tight, such as pigtails and ponytails, can cause hair loss.

7. Aging

One of the natural causes of hair fall in both males and females is aging. Our hairs also start aging, just like our skin. As we age, we lose moisture and essential nutrients that cause hair fall.

8. Weight Loss

If you lose significant weight and have a heavy workout routine, that could also cause hair loss.

9. Poor Diet and Nutrition

Our hair takes nutrients from our Diet. A healthy diet gives a proper supply of all the nutrients hair need to stay healthy, strong, and smooth. Skipping meals and having a poor diet will cause hair damage and falls.

10. Smoking

If you face hair loss frequently, quit smoking because some studies have shown a strong association between smoking and baldness in men.

11. Sun Damage

There are free radicals and other environmental aggressors that are harmful to hair. Direct sunlight and other sources of ultraviolet rays cause hair fall.

Also, read about how to prevent hair fall for females.

So, these are the causes of hair fall. Some questions that might come to your mind related to hair fall are given in the following.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Also, check out the 10 best hair serums that reduce hair fall.

If you, too, have any questions about the causes of hair fall, feel free to ask in the comment section below.