Hello dear friends!

You’re noticing clumps of hair clogging up your shower drain, or falling into the sink. You’re waking up with hairs on your pillowcase. Your brush gets filled up every time you use it. These are very common occurrences, especially for women (but this post is for all genders). Hair loss is an epidemic, especially in our Western cultures, and we’re told that this is normal and to be expected as we get older. But it doesn’t have to be that way!

I’ve struggled with hair thinning and hair loss for many years, starting as a teen. Doctors told me that my hair turning brittle and falling out was because of my hypothyroidism, and that it would likely continue to worsen as I aged. Boo. Thankfully, I know that’s not the whole picture, and there are things I can do to bring my hair back around (a work in progress, of course).

The thing is, I know I’m not the only one dealing with hair falling out. And I also know that there are many different causes for hair loss. So, if you’re looking down at the clump of hair in the bathtub and worrying, this post is for you. Many of us have more than one of these factors going on at any time, but here’s my take on why we tend to lose our hair.

Hair loss can often be traced back to:

1. Poor head/scalp circulation

Many people are dealing with some level of stagnation in their head and neck, and this can lead to hair turning gray, hair falling out, and changes in hair texture. And when I say stagnation, I mean lymph as well as blood. When these things are flowing well, the hair follicles are nourished and the scalp is able to detox appropriately. A few things that can help include: inversions (yoga/stretching poses where your head is below your heart), manual scalp massage, and circulatory herbs like cayenne, prickly ash, ginkgo, gotu kola, and others. I often like the Upper Circulation formula from Dr. Morse. But, make SURE that you work with a qualified herbalist on this, as certain herbs may aggravate your constitution.

2. Toxins

Both toxins that are applied to the hair and scalp, and those circulating inside the body, can have an effect on our hair. Topical chemicals like hair bleach and other treatments can weaken the hair or damage the follicle, causing (often temporary) hair loss. For most of us, however, it is a combination of internal toxins like endocrine disruptors, heavy metals, dermatoxins from viruses and bacteria, and chemical medications. You can support your body’s detox pathways with bioavailable hydration (living water from fruits and veggies), binders like spirulina or charcoal, and herbs like milk thistle and burdock. Again, work with a pro to find the best herbs for you.

3. Medications

Everything we put into our bodies can have an effect on our hair, and pharmaceuticals certainly fall into this category. Not all meds can cause hair loss, but it is a surprisingly common side effect. Medications for blood pressure, cholesterol control, blood thinning, acne treatment, hormone balancing (mostly androgenic steroids), antifungals, birth control, and more could be behind your hair loss. Not only could it be a direct side effect, but the hair loss could be a secondary effect from the liver being burdened from these medications.

4. Being too aggressive

Just like most of us apparently brush our teeth too roughly, many of us are too hard on our hair. This is especially true for those of us with long hair! If you are always pulling or tugging on your strands, they may not hold up to the abuse. This includes putting your hair up into tight ponytails or buns, heat styling on a regular basis, over brushing, sleeping in styled hair, wearing lots of hats especially tight ones, drying it with rough towels, using old or tough hair ties...you get the gist. Go easy on your hair- treat it like a delicate fabric. Wear looser styles, no-heat styles, and/or consider investing in a silk pillowcase or specialized hair towel.

5. Hormone changes

We female-bodied folx go through many hormone swings throughout our lives, and these can alter many of our biological processes. When the levels (and ratios!) of estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, and other hormones shift, it can show up in our hair. Same goes for thyroid issues, like the deficiency I have...and no, thyroid meds didn’t help me (you can read more on this in Thyroid Healing from Medical Medium). Changes like pregnancy, childbirth, and menopause are common times for hair to potentially thin. “Male menopause” is also a real hormonal shift that can result in baldness or hair receding. There are ways to balance hormones again, but they can take some effort. Dietary changes and herbal medicine are your two best bets.

6. Trauma or emotional distress

You’ve heard stories of people losing their hair, or their hair turning white, after a traumatic event, and these stories actually aren’t as rare as you might think. While you may not have a shock that manifests immediately in hair changes, it’s pretty common to experience hair loss after a stressful period of time. This can include any major traumas, but also increased stress in your finances, relationship, or work life. Typically, this is a temporary change and your hair can bounce back if you are investing in your self-care and healing routines. I love using herbs and flower essences for this especially.

7. Overly dry constitution

I thought I’d throw this one on here because of my growing interest in our unique human constitutions, or doshas in Ayurveda. And because of my own personal experience too! If you’re familiar with the three doshas, the Vata dosha is the air/ether constitution, which tends to be very dry, tense, and cold. This is also a common energetic imbalance in today’s era, where our bodies (especially our nervous systems) lose their insulation and flexibility, leading to stiff, dry hair, nails, skin, etc...If you have a Vata predominant constitution like I do, this could be contributing to your hair loss. Thankfully, doshas can be balanced through personalized nutrition and herbal medicine, along with lifestyle!

If you were to google “causes of hair loss,” you’d likely see the usual things like nutritional deficiencies, autoimmune diseases (which don’t actually exist, btw), genetics, etc...but I think these are minor and secondary to all the ones I listed above. I know that hair loss can be incredibly frustrating and disheartening, especially if you can’t get the bottom of it. But don’t lose hope! It is possible to make your hair stronger, thicker, and more hydrated again.

Got questions about your hair loss? Drop me a comment, or schedule your free discovery call.

And in the meantime, take care and be well, my friends.

7 Reasons Why Your Hair Is Falling Out