9 Causes of Thinning Hair You Need to Know—How Hair Follicles, Scalp Health, and Nutritional Deficiencies Affect Hair Growth

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Author: Natalie Ng|1 April 2025

If your hair is thinning, there’s usually more than one reason behind it. Genetics, hormones, stress, and even your diet can all play a role. Some people have hereditary hair loss, while others lose hair due to medical conditions, medications, or harsh hair products. Hormonal changes from birth control pills, pregnancy, or thyroid disease can affect hair growth. Conditions like alopecia areata or androgenic alopecia may also lead to noticeable hair loss. Even everyday habits like heat styling or chemical treatments can weaken hair follicles. The sooner hair loss is diagnosed, the better your chances of slowing it down and regrowing hair. In this article, we’ll go over the hidden causes of hair thinning and what you can do about it.

Genetic Predisposition and Hereditary Factors

If hair loss runs in your family, chances are you might experience it too. Hereditary hair loss, also known as androgenic alopecia, is the most common type of hair loss. It affects both men and women, often leading to male pattern baldness or female pattern hair loss.

Genetics

Your genes determine how sensitive your hair follicles are to hormones like DHT (dihydrotestosterone). If your follicles are more sensitive, they shrink over time, causing thinning hair and slowing down hair growth. This process leads to a receding hairline, bald spots, or overall hair shedding.

Family History

If one or both of your parents have experienced pattern baldness, you’re more likely to notice hair loss too. Studies show that identical twins with the same genetic makeup often have similar hair loss patterns, proving how strong the genetic link is.

Hormonal Imbalances and Endocrine Disorders

Hormones play a huge role in hair growth, and when they’re out of balance, hair thinning can happen fast. Changes in hormone levels can affect your hair follicles, making them shrink, slow hair growth, or even stop producing new hair altogether.

Thyroid Issues

Thyroid disease, including hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism, can cause noticeable hair loss. Your thyroid regulates metabolism, which affects your scalp hair’s growth cycle. When your thyroid isn’t working properly, hair may enter a resting phase too soon, leading to excessive shedding.

Androgens and Hair Follicle Sensitivity

Your body naturally converts certain hormones into DHT (dihydrotestosterone), which can shrink hair follicles and cause pattern baldness. People with androgenic alopecia are more sensitive to DHT, which leads to male pattern baldness and female pattern hair loss over time.

Hormonal Changes in Women

Hormonal fluctuations caused by pregnancy, menopause, birth control pills, or polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) can trigger hair thinning. Many women experience temporary hair shedding (telogen effluvium) after giving birth or during menopause due to shifting estrogen and progesterone levels.

Stress Hormones

Stress increases cortisol, a hormone linked to hair shedding. Chronic stress can push more hair into the resting phase, causing patchy hair loss or overall hair thinning.

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Nutritional Deficiencies and Diet

Your diet plays a major role in hair growth and hair thickness. When your body lacks essential vitamins and minerals, your hair follicles weaken, leading to thinning hair, hair shedding, and even bald spots.

Key Nutrients for Healthy Hair

Certain vitamins and minerals help keep your hair strong and growing properly. A vitamin deficiency can slow hair growth, cause excessive shedding, or make your hair look thin and brittle. - Iron Deficiency: Low iron levels can lead to anemia, which reduces oxygen supply to the scalp, slowing hair growth and causing noticeable hair loss. - Vitamin D Deficiency: This vitamin helps stimulate hair follicles, and without enough of it, you may experience patchy hair loss. - B-Vitamins (Biotin & B12): These support new hair growth by helping your body produce red blood cells, which carry oxygen to your scalp. - Zinc Deficiency: Zinc is essential for hair follicle repair. Without it, hair loss occurs more easily, and follicles may stop producing new hair.

Lack Of Protein

Hair is made of keratin, a protein that gives it strength. If your diet lacks enough protein, your hair can become weak and fall out more easily. This is common in people who don’t eat enough meat, fish, eggs, or plant-based protein sources.

Poor Absorption

Even if you eat a balanced diet, some medical conditions or medications can prevent your body from absorbing key nutrients. Conditions like thyroid disease, digestive disorders, and certain medications can lead to nutritional deficiencies that affect your hair thickness.

Medications and Medical Treatments

Certain medications and medical treatments can cause hair thinning as a side effect. Some drugs disrupt the hair growth cycle, leading to excessive shedding, while others interfere with hair follicles, slowing down new hair growth. Depending on the treatment, hair loss occurs gradually or suddenly, but in many cases, hair can regrow once the medication is adjusted or stopped.

Medications That Can Cause Hair Thinning

1. Chemotherapy and Radiation Therapy Cancer treatments like chemotherapy and radiation therapy can cause rapid hair shedding within weeks. These treatments target fast-growing cells, including hair follicles, leading to bald patches or complete hair loss. Some patients use cooling caps during chemotherapy to reduce hair shedding. 2. Birth Control Pills and Hormonal Treatments Hormonal changes from birth control pills, hormone replacement therapy, or medications for polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) can trigger female pattern baldness or thinning hair in women with a family history of hereditary hair loss. Hair loss depends on the body’s reaction to these hormonal shifts. 3. Blood Pressure Medications and Antidepressants Some beta-blockers, antidepressants, and blood thinners may cause excessive shedding as a side effect. Hair loss diagnosed in these cases is often temporary and may reverse once the medication is stopped. 4. Medications for Male Pattern Baldness Treatments like finasteride help slow hair loss in male pattern baldness, but they can have side effects, including changes in libido. Minoxidil, a topical treatment for hair regrowth, may cause scalp irritation or temporary hair shedding when first used.

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Stress-Related Hair Loss

Stress can have a direct impact on hair growth, often leading to thinning hair, hair shedding, or even patchy hair loss. When stress levels rise, the body produces more cortisol, a hormone that can disrupt the hair growth cycle and push hair follicles into a prolonged resting phase. This results in noticeable hair loss a few months after a stressful event.

Types of Stress-Related Hair Loss

1. Telogen Effluvium Telogen effluvium happens when sudden stress forces large numbers of hair follicles into the resting phase, leading to excessive shedding. This type of hair loss occurs about three months after a stressful event, such as illness, surgery, childbirth, or emotional trauma. 2. Alopecia Areata This is an autoimmune condition where the immune system attacks hair follicles, leading to patchy hair loss. It’s often triggered by extreme stress and can cause bald spots on the scalp or other parts of the body. 3. Trichotillomania (Hair Pulling Disorder) Some people deal with stress by pulling out their own hair, often without realizing it. Over time, this can lead to bald patches and permanent hair thinning if the hair follicles become damaged.

Age-Related Changes in Hair Growth

As you get older, your hair growth cycle slows down, leading to thinning hair, hair shedding, and changes in texture. Over time, hair follicles shrink, producing shorter, finer strands, and some may stop growing hair altogether. This process affects both men and women, though male pattern baldness and female pattern hair loss tend to follow different patterns.

How Aging Affects Hair Growth

1. Follicle Shrinkage With age, hair follicles become smaller and produce thinner hair. This can make scalp hair appear less dense, and part lines may look wider. 2. Hormonal Changes Hormones play a big role in hair loss. Postmenopausal women often experience female pattern baldness, while men may notice a receding hairline or bald patches due to increased sensitivity to DHT (dihydrotestosterone). 3. Slower Hair Growth As hair follicles age, the hair growth cycle slows down. New hair growth takes longer, and the resting phase lasts longer, leading to excessive shedding and reduced hair thickness. 4. Reduced Scalp Oil Production The scalp produces less sebum with age, which can make hair dry, brittle, and more prone to breakage.

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Autoimmune Conditions

Your immune system is designed to protect your body, but sometimes it mistakenly attacks hair follicles, leading to hair thinning, patchy hair loss, or even complete baldness. Autoimmune diseases disrupt the hair growth cycle, causing hair loss diagnosed in different patterns, from small bald spots to total scalp hair loss.

Common Autoimmune Conditions That Cause Hair Loss

1. Alopecia Areata Alopecia areata happens when the immune system attacks hair follicles, leading to patchy hair loss on the scalp, eyebrows, or other body parts. In severe cases, it can progress to alopecia totalis (complete scalp hair loss) or alopecia universalis (total body hair loss). 2. Thyroid Disorders (Hashimoto’s and Graves’ Disease) Thyroid disease can trigger hair thinning by disrupting hormones that regulate hair growth. Both hypothyroidism (Hashimoto’s disease) and hyperthyroidism (Graves’ disease) can cause excessive shedding and brittle hair. 3. Lupus Lupus causes inflammation throughout the body, including the scalp, leading to scarring alopecia. Once scarring alopecia occurs, hair may not regrow because the hair follicles are permanently damaged. 4. Psoriasis Psoriasis can lead to scalp hair loss due to thick, scaly patches that interfere with hair growth. Though hair often grows back after treatment, repeated flare-ups can lead to long-term thinning hair.

Poor Hair Care Practices

Your hair care routine can have a major impact on hair thickness, hair growth, and overall scalp health. Frequent use of heat styling tools, chemical treatments, and harsh hair products can weaken hair follicles, leading to thinning hair, excessive shedding, and even bald patches over time.

Heat Damage

Flat irons, curling wands, and blow dryers set at high temperatures can break down the protein structure of hair, making strands weak and brittle. When hair loses its natural strength, it becomes more prone to breakage and further hair loss. - Excessive heat weakens hair strands, causing them to snap easily. - Repeated heat styling can slow new hair growth by damaging hair follicles. - UV exposure can also dry out scalp hair, making it more fragile. To prevent damage, keep styling tools on low heat, use a heat protectant, and avoid daily heat exposure.

Chemical Treatments

Chemical processes like hair dyeing, bleaching, relaxers, and perms can weaken hair follicles and trigger hair loss. These treatments lift the protective cuticle layer, making hair more vulnerable to scalp irritation, brittle texture, and excessive shedding. - Hair dyes and bleaches strip natural oils, leading to dry, breakable hair. - Keratin treatments with formaldehyde can damage the scalp and weaken hair follicles. - Chemical relaxers can cause scarring alopecia if applied incorrectly.

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Scalp Conditions and Infections

Scalp infections and skin diseases can weaken hair follicles, causing thinning hair, excessive shedding, and even scarring alopecia. If left untreated, these conditions can lead to permanent hair loss by damaging the scalp and interfering with hair growth.

Common Scalp Infections That Cause Hair Loss

1. Tinea Capitis (Scalp Ringworm) Tinea capitis is a fungal infection that creates scaly patches, itching, and bald spots on the scalp. It spreads through direct contact and weakens hair shafts, causing hair to break off at the surface. 2. Folliculitis (Inflamed Hair Follicles) Folliculitis happens when bacteria infect hair follicles, leading to pus-filled bumps that can cause patchy hair loss. If untreated, it can leave behind scars, making it harder for new hair to grow. 3. Seborrheic Dermatitis (Severe Dandruff) This condition causes flaky skin, redness, and itching, which can irritate hair follicles and lead to excessive shedding. It’s often triggered by an overgrowth of yeast on the scalp. 4. MRSA and Bacterial Infections Some bacterial infections, like MRSA, can cause painful scalp sores that may lead to scarring alopecia, where hair loss becomes permanent.

F8 Hair Regrowth Treatment: A Solution for Thinning Hair

If you're struggling with thinning hair, hair shedding, or scalp issues, finding the right hair loss treatment can be overwhelming. Many factors contribute to hair loss, including genetics, hormonal imbalances, stress, and poor scalp health. Addressing these issues early can help slow hair loss and improve hair thickness.

One promising non-invasive solution is New Beauty’s F8 Hair Regrowth Treatment. This treatment combines low-energy laser therapy with a hair growth serum to stimulate hair follicles, improve blood circulation, and create a healthier environment for new hair growth.

How Does the F8 Hair Regrowth Treatment Work?

The F8 Hair Regrowth Treatment is a three-step process designed to restore scalp health and promote hair growth: 1. Scalp and Hair Analysis A professional examines the scalp and hair follicles using high-magnification imaging to assess hair loss severity and determine the best approach. 2. Low-Energy Laser Therapy A non-surgical low-energy laser is applied evenly across the scalp, activating hair papilla and strengthening capillaries. This process improves nutrient supply to hair follicles, promoting healthier hair growth. 3. Hair Growth Serum Infusion A world-class hair growth serum is applied to the scalp. The laser energy enhances serum absorption, unclogs hair follicles, controls excess sebum, and balances scalp hydration. This creates an ideal environment for hair regrowth.

Benefits of F8 Hair Regrowth Treatment

- Non-Invasive and Safe No surgery, no downtime—just gentle laser energy that stimulates hair follicles without damaging the scalp. - Improves Scalp Health The treatment deep-cleanses the scalp, removes excess oil, and unclogs hair follicles, reducing common scalp conditions that contribute to hair thinning. - Boosts Blood Circulation Strengthens hair papilla and capillaries, ensuring nutrients reach the hair follicles to support new hair growth. - Suitable for Both Men and Women Whether you're experiencing male pattern baldness, female pattern hair loss, excessive shedding, or hair thinning, this treatment can help.

Who Can Benefit from This Treatment?

The F8 Hair Regrowth Treatment is ideal for people experiencing: - Early signs of hair thinning or noticeable hair loss - Scalp conditions that affect hair growth - Weakened or inactive hair follicles - Postpartum hair loss or hair thinning due to hormonal changes - Stress-related hair shedding

If you're looking for a non-invasive hair loss treatment, this could be the solution to help you regrow hair and prevent further hair loss. Book a consultation today and take the first step toward healthier, fuller hair!

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FAQ

Can Wearing Hats or Helmets Regularly Cause Permanent Hair Thinning?

While regular hat or helmet use alone won't cause permanent hair loss, certain wearing habits can contribute to traction alopecia, a reversible condition caused by constant tension on hair follicles. You're at higher risk if you wear tight-fitting headgear for extended periods, especially when combined with damp conditions or poor hygiene. Early intervention and proper helmet fit can prevent long-term damage to your follicles.

Does Frequent Swimming in Chlorinated Pools Affect Hair Thickness?

While chlorine exposure won't directly cause hair loss, studies show that 85% of regular swimmers experience increased hair brittleness and breakage. You'll notice your hair becoming more fragile and prone to snapping, especially if it's chemically treated or fine. The chlorine strips your hair's natural oils and damages the protective cuticle layer, leading to increased porosity and breakage that can mimic thinning, though it's not actual follicle-level hair loss.

How Long After Pregnancy Does Postpartum Hair Loss Typically Last?

Your postpartum hair loss typically begins around 2.9 months after giving birth, reaches its peak at 5.1 months, and usually resolves by 8.1 months. While most women experience improvement within a year, coinciding with their baby's first birthday, some cases can extend up to 15 months. If you're experiencing shedding beyond 15 months, it's important to consult a healthcare provider, as this may indicate underlying issues like thyroid imbalances or nutrient deficiencies.

Can Using Dry Shampoo Too Often Lead to Hair Thinning?

Yes, excessive dry shampoo use can contribute to hair thinning through several mechanisms. When you use dry shampoo too frequently, it creates buildup that clogs hair follicles, potentially inhibiting new growth and trapping bacteria that cause inflammation. Additionally, many dry shampoos contain alcohol, which can dry out your scalp and lead to brittleness and breakage. To protect your hair, you shouldn't use dry shampoo more than 1-2 times per week.

Does Sleeping With Wet Hair Contribute to Hair Loss?

While sleeping with wet hair doesn't directly cause permanent hair loss, it can contribute to increased breakage and temporary thinning. Your wet hair is more fragile and prone to mechanical damage from friction against pillows, while prolonged scalp moisture may foster fungal growth that affects follicle health. Additionally, repeated swelling and contracting of wet hair strands can weaken their structure through hygral fatigue, leading to increased breakage.

Book Now to Experience
F8 Hair Regrowth Treatment

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9 Causes of Thinning Hair You Need to Know—How Hair Follicles, Scalp Health, and Nutritional Deficiencies Affect Hair Growth

Genetic Predisposition and Hereditary Factors

Genetics

Family History

Hormonal Imbalances and Endocrine Disorders

Thyroid Issues

Androgens and Hair Follicle Sensitivity

Hormonal Changes in Women

Stress Hormones

Read More

Nutritional Deficiencies and Diet

Key Nutrients for Healthy Hair

Lack Of Protein

Poor Absorption

Medications and Medical Treatments

Medications That Can Cause Hair Thinning

Stress-Related Hair Loss

Types of Stress-Related Hair Loss

Age-Related Changes in Hair Growth

How Aging Affects Hair Growth

Read More

Autoimmune Conditions

Common Autoimmune Conditions That Cause Hair Loss

Poor Hair Care Practices

Heat Damage

Chemical Treatments

Scalp Conditions and Infections

Common Scalp Infections That Cause Hair Loss

F8 Hair Regrowth Treatment: A Solution for Thinning Hair

How Does the F8 Hair Regrowth Treatment Work?

Benefits of F8 Hair Regrowth Treatment

Who Can Benefit from This Treatment?

FAQ

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