Why Is My Hair Falling Out?

A calm conversation between panic and science.

It always starts the same way. You are in the shower, minding your business, enjoying that one rare moment of peace when the hot water makes you feel all your misery is distant, and then you look down. There it is. A cluster of hair in your hands, in the drain, in what looks like a small scene from a tragic opera. You freeze. Your brain starts running scenarios: Am I dying? Is this how it begins? Should I Google it or just accept baldness as destiny?

If you are new on the Manuverse, this is my little corner of the internet where my insomnia gives me time to write about everything I care about. And tonight, I write about hair. Specifically, the horror of watching it fall out like autumn leaves while pretending you are fine. Spoiler: you are probably fine, and the good news is that science exists, so let's see what we can do.

Let me start by saying that losing hair is not always a tragedy. It can be a message. The body is like that one friend who refuses to talk directly. It sends you passive-aggressive hints through symptoms. Hair shedding is one of those hints. Sometimes it is a whisper; other times it is a scream. The trick is to understand what it is saying before you panic-buy ten bottles of rosemary oil and start massaging your scalp like a possessed monk.

The Daily Hair Death Parade

On average, both men and women lose about 50 to 100 hairs a day. Yes, you heard right. Your scalp is a battlefield where follicles live, die, and grow back in phases. You are supposed to shed. Hair goes through three main phases: anagen (growth), catagen (transition), and telogen (rest). In a healthy scalp, about ninety percent of your hairs are growing, one percent are transitioning, and nine percent are resting before they fall out. This is called the hair growth cycle, and it repeats for years, quietly, without asking for attention.

So when does it become a problem? When the percentage changes. When the number of resting hairs increases and the regrowth does not keep up. That is when the drain starts looking like a crime scene. The medical term for this is telogen effluvium, which sounds like a spell from Harry Potter but actually means “excessive shedding.” It is a reaction, not a permanent condition. Think of it as your scalp throwing a tantrum because something disturbed its balance.

When the Body Panics, the Hair Leaves

Hair is not essential for survival. It is a luxury feature. When the body feels threatened, it starts cutting budgets. It will stop funding hair production long before it stops fueling your heart or brain. Stress, illness, poor nutrition, or hormonal changes can all trigger this economic crisis of the scalp. The follicles go on strike, and your hair starts to fall.

This is why you can always tell who has had a stressful month. Look at the temples. They are the first to betray you. High cortisol levels—the stress hormone—disrupt the normal cycle, forcing more hairs into the telogen phase. The same hormone also increases oil production, which leads some people to wash more often, stripping the scalp and making things worse. A vicious loop worthy of Greek tragedy.

I know what you are thinking. “So stress is making me bald?” Maybe. Or maybe your diet is. Or your thyroid. Or your love for extreme hairstyles that require enough heat to power a small village. The truth is, there are many reasons, and the scalp is not shy about showing its discontent.

The Nutrient Civil War Inside You

Let’s talk about the most overlooked reason: nutrition. Your hair is made of keratin, a protein built from amino acids. To grow hair, your body needs a steady supply of protein, iron, zinc, and several vitamins, including A, D, E, and the B family. If any of these are missing, your hair takes the hit.

When you eat poorly, your body has to choose where to send resources. Hair is low on the priority list. It is like a fancy chandelier in a burning house. The body saves the walls first. This is why strict dieting, fasting, or eating like a college student can lead to hair shedding. The follicles are deprived of what they need to stay in the growth phase.

Iron deficiency, especially in women, is one of the most common triggers of hair loss. Without enough iron, red blood cells cannot deliver oxygen effectively to the follicles. Imagine trying to build a cathedral while someone keeps cutting the power supply. No wonder the workers leave.

Biotin, despite being overhyped, still plays a role in keratin production. Deficiency is rare, but supplements can help if your diet is unbalanced. Vitamin D also deserves attention. It helps activate dormant follicles and maintain the anagen phase. That said, if you live in a place with long, dark winters—hello Finland—you probably need more than your share.

Hormones: The Invisible Puppet Masters

Hormones are the unsung villains of the story. When they shift, your hair knows before you do. This is why postpartum shedding, thyroid issues, or menopause can feel like betrayal from your own body. The same goes for men dealing with androgenetic alopecia, the polite scientific name for hereditary hair loss. It is caused by the hormone dihydrotestosterone, or DHT, a derivative of testosterone. DHT miniaturizes hair follicles, shortening their growth phase until the hair becomes thinner and eventually stops growing altogether.

The irony is beautiful: the same hormone that deepens your voice and builds your muscles slowly erases your hairline. Nature clearly has a sense of humor.

For women, hormonal birth control can have similar effects. Pills that alter estrogen and progesterone levels can cause temporary shedding when you start or stop them. The scalp reacts to these shifts with impressive sensitivity, as if it had a gossip line directly to your endocrine system.

If you notice diffuse thinning rather than isolated bald patches, the culprit might be hormonal imbalance rather than genetic predisposition. Blood tests can confirm this, and treatment usually involves restoring equilibrium, not rubbing kitchen oils into your scalp like a medieval remedy.

Genetics: The Family Curse You Can Manage

Now, let us address the big one: genetics. Yes, sometimes the prophecy is written in your DNA. If your parents, uncles, or grandparents have thin hair or receding hairlines, there is a good chance the same pattern will emerge in you. But destiny is not doom. Hereditary hair loss can be managed, slowed, and sometimes reversed if you act early.

Science gives us some tools. Minoxidil, the active ingredient in many topical treatments, works by increasing blood flow to the follicles, forcing more hairs into the growth phase. It does not fix the underlying cause, but it can buy you time and density. For men, finasteride blocks the conversion of testosterone to DHT. For women, spironolactone can offer similar benefits by reducing androgen activity. These are not miracle cures, but they are reliable allies in the fight.

Of course, none of this matters if your routine sabotages your progress.

The Everyday Crimes Against Hair

Let us talk about habits. You can have the perfect genes and still lose hair faster than you lose patience if you treat your scalp like an enemy. Overwashing, rough brushing, tight hairstyles, heat abuse, wearing socks after you wear your pants and sleeping on cotton pillowcases are all small, daily betrayals.

The scalp needs time to regulate oil production. When you wash too often, it compensates by producing even more oil. When you never wash, buildup suffocates the follicles. The correct rhythm depends on your hair type. Fine hair usually needs washing every three or four days. Medium hair can go five or six. Coarse hair can often survive a full week without complaint. If you want a longer explanation about the different hair types and how to treat them, here is my guide.

Brushing should be done with respect. Think of your hair like an ancient scroll. You do not tug or tear. You glide, starting from the ends, slowly working your way up. Use a detangling brush with flexible bristles. And for the love of all that is sacred, stop rubbing your hair with a towel after a shower. Use a microfiber towel and press gently. Friction is the silent killer.

Heat styling is another common trap. I know the temptation of a flat iron that promises instant beauty, but heat above 180 °C is basically cooking your hair proteins. A good heat protectant can create a thin barrier that distributes temperature evenly and reduces damage. Without it, you are searing your cuticle like a steak.

Lastly, cotton pillowcases. They absorb the oils your hair needs and cause friction while you sleep. Switch to silk. It feels luxurious, but more importantly, it lets your hair glide instead of snap. Small change, big results.

When Stress Becomes a Hairstylist

Psychological stress is one of the most underestimated villains in this story. Studies from dermatological and trichological journals confirm that stress-induced cortisol spikes can prematurely push hair follicles from the growth phase into the resting phase. The result is shedding that can appear weeks or even months after the stress event.

This delay is cruel. You think you survived the crisis, and then your hair starts to fall out as if your body is saying, “You thought I forgot?” It didn’t.

This is why mindfulness, meditation, or even simple routines like regular exercise are not “woo-woo” ideas. They are practical tools to stabilize hormonal cascades that affect your follicles. Think of it as paying rent to your hair in peace and oxygen.

If you ever needed another reason to rest, this is it: sleep deprivation increases cortisol too. Sleep is hair growth time. The scalp repairs itself, circulation improves, and protein synthesis accelerates. So yes, sleeping more is technically a beauty treatment.

What Science Says About Treatments

Let us separate myths from mechanisms.

Scalp massage: There is moderate evidence that consistent scalp massage can improve blood flow and stretch the cells of hair follicles, leading to minor thickening over time. The keyword is “consistent.” Random head rubbing once a week does nothing.

Hair oils: Oils do not make hair grow faster. They can, however, prevent breakage and dryness, which indirectly supports length retention. Argan, jojoba, and silicone blends are the most effective because they coat the hair shaft evenly without clogging pores.

Vitamins and supplements: They help only if you are deficient. Biotin overdose does nothing but confuse your blood tests. If you eat a balanced diet with enough protein and micronutrients, your hair has what it needs. If you need a multivitamin, please take in consideration this one.

Cold water rinses: Scientifically irrelevant. The cuticle reacts to pH and formulation, not water temperature. Cold water does not seal anything. It only makes your shower experience more miserable.

Laser combs and micro-needling: These can stimulate growth by increasing local circulation and triggering mild inflammation that promotes healing responses. Results vary, but the principle is sound. Just do not try to stab your head with a sewing needle because a Reddit thread said so.

The Emotional Side of Hair Loss

There is something deeply personal about hair. It frames your face, carries your identity, and marks your confidence. When it starts falling, it is not vanity to feel panic. It is human. I have seen people change their posture, their smile, even their voice after noticing thinning.

But here is the truth: you are not your hair. You are what you do about it.

The first step is understanding the cause. Blood tests can reveal deficiencies. A dermatologist can examine your scalp under a trichoscope to determine whether it is shedding or miniaturization. Once you know what you are fighting, you can choose the right weapon. Science is generous if you approach it with patience instead of despair.

Hair grows slowly. Even under the best conditions, it takes months to see change. That is why panic never helps. Consistency does. Think of it like training at the gym: one session means nothing, but daily discipline transforms you.

The Routine That Keeps It All Together

You cannot control genetics or the weather, but you can control your routine. The Healthy Hair Routine, as discussed in this article. Wash correctly with the shampoo that matches your hair type. Condition mids and ends to replace lost moisture. Apply a leave-in conditioner on damp hair to seal it. Finish with a small amount of oil to protect the tips.

Do this consistently, not frantically. The point is not to drown your hair in products, but to feed it with what it actually needs. Professional-grade formulas matter because they are concentrated, balanced, and designed to rinse clean without residue.

Your scalp is skin, your hair is fiber, and your emotions are the weather. The balance among these three defines how much hair you keep.

Final Thoughts: The Philosophy of Follicles

There will be moments when you feel like giving up. When every strand in your hand feels like proof of defeat. But remember: hair loss is rarely a final sentence. It is often a phase, a reflection, or a system under stress.

I once overheard someone in the gym saying, “If your hair is falling out, shave it and move on.” That’s like saying, “If your car is dirty, burn it.” No. You wash it. You learn how it works. You take care of it because it is part of you.

As Geralt of Rivia once said, “Evil is evil. Lesser, greater, middling—makes no difference.” The same logic applies to neglect. Every missed wash, every skipped conditioner, every careless tug is a small evil. They add up. Be kind to your hair. It will reward you in silence, strand by strand.

And if you want to understand what your shampoo should actually do to keep your scalp from joining the rebellion, you should read my article on the science of how shampoo really works.