Hair loss can occur for many reasons, but some are more obvious than others. If you’ve been losing your hair and can’t figure out why it’s happening, these 10 surprising causes could be precisely what you need to look at. The good news is that you can usually get your hair loss under control once you know what’s going on.
1. Your Nutrition Balance Is Off
A balanced diet is essential to a healthy body and that includes your hair. If you’re not getting enough iron, it can result in hair loss. A few signs of low iron include brittle nails, pale skin, and shortness of breath. You should also be aware of being short on protein, zinc, and protein. Conversely, too much Vitamin A can have a similar effect on your hair. It’s a good idea to focus on having balanced nutrition.
2. You’re Taking Certain Medications
It might not be said often but hair loss is a common side effect of medications that you can take for different illnesses. The list includes oral contraceptives, blood thinners, anti-inflammatory drugs, antidepressants, and acne medications, as well as drugs that are prescribed for high cholesterol, high blood pressure, gout, and heart issues. If this is happening to you, talk to your doctor about alternatives.
RELATED: The Truth About Postpartum Hair Loss
3. You Just Had A Baby
Hormonal fluctuations can really mess with your hair. That means a lot of people lose their hair while pregnant or after childbirth. In this case, the hair loss may resolve on its own but you should contact your doctor if it doesn’t. Hormonal changes also occur during menopause so you can expect hair loss then as well. Sometimes, it goes away but talk to your doctor if it keeps happening after 6 months.
You May Also Like
4. You’re On Or Off Birth Control
As with the previous point, birth control tends to increase the hormone, estrogen. A higher level of estrogen can cause hair loss so changing your contraceptive method can help. Interestingly, getting off birth control can cause a similar effect as the hormone levels in your blood drop. Fortunately, the effect should resolve over time.
5. You Have A Smoking Habit
Cigarettes have a lot of toxins that can affect your health as a whole. Your hair won’t escape that. Sometimes, these toxins will damage your hair follicles and that leads to hair loss. The best thing you can do is quit smoking as research shows that your body can recover once you stop.
RELATED: 15 Stress Management Techniques That Will Change Your Life
6. You’re Stressed
Studies show that stress can take its toll on your body in interesting ways. Hair loss can be one of the ways that your body shows that you’re dealing with a stressful situation. Usually, removing yourself from the stress will be enough but developing effective stress management techniques will help too.
RELATED: Hair Styles That Can Lead to Hair Loss
7. Your Hair Is Traumatized
There’s nothing wrong with aiming for nice styles but sometimes, this can damage your hair. You have to ensure that you’re using the right hair products and avoiding styles that will put your hair under stress.
You May Also Like
RELATED: Q&A: Everything Black Women Need to Know About Hair Loss
8. You Have An Underlying Condition
Sometimes, your hair loss is caused by a condition that you don’t know anything about. Thyroid issues, lupus, polycystic ovary syndrome, alopecia, and Grave’s disease are just a few of the illnesses that can affect your hair’s health.
9. You’re Fighting An Illness
Even an acute illness can mess with your healthy hair. If you’re fighting a severe infection or you’ve had
