How Much Hair Loss is Normal? 

The average human loses about 100 hairs a day. And normally, we don’t even notice! That’s because new hair is constantly growing in its place, maintaining the thickness of the hair on our head. When alopecia — which is a general term of hair loss — occurs, hair isn’t growing as much as it's being lost and that can lead to balding and thinning of the hair. 

There are a lot of different types of alopecia and they can all cause a different form of hair loss. For example, it can occur in patches, as a general thinning of the hair in certain areas or all over the head, and it can even mean full-body hair loss. Some experience a rapid loss of hair and others experience a gradual thinning of the hair over many years. 

Regardless of the type of hair loss, the question I often get from my patients is “Why is this happening, and is there anything I can do about it?”

What Are the Common Causes of Alopecia? 

The causes of alopecia range depending on the individual. And it doesn’t have to be just one factor, either. Sometimes it’s a combination of a few of the factors below! Here is a list of the most common causes of hair loss I see among my patients: 

1. Major hormonal fluctuations 

In women, hair loss is often the result of a large hormonal event or imbalance. This can include pregnancy, giving birth, and entering menopause. The good news is that this is often temporary and not true hair loss; typically, the hair loss subsides once your hormones return to normal. 

What you can do: Focus on stress relief, proper nutrition, and consider hormonal testing with a functional medicine provider. 

2. Your DNA

Unfortunately, hereditary hair loss is the most common cause of hair loss and the one that is the most difficult to treat. This type of hair loss is typically gradual and involves a receding hairline and bald spots in men and a thinning of hair along the crown of the head in women. 

What you can do: There are a couple of FDA approved medications (1) that will slow or even reverse hereditary hair loss. Deciding whether or not to take medication involves weighing the pros and cons of slowing hair loss with the potential side effects of the medications.

3. Certain medical conditions

Thyroid conditions, lupus, and PCOS are just a few of the many conditions that have been connected to hair loss. Alopecia areata is an autoimmune condition that causes sudden patchy hair loss that occurs quickly. The good news is that for the vast majority of people, hair grows back within a year. 

What you can do: The good news here is that there’s typically a LOT you can do to improve these underlying health conditions. I recommend taking a look at my book The Inflammation Spectrum for nutrition and lifestyle tips. 

4. Medications

Many common medications and over-the-counter drugs can contribute to hair loss. These include birth control pills, NSAIDS, and acne medications. If you take a medication or receive treatment for cancer, arthritis, depression, high blood pressure, or cardiovascular conditions, your medication could be the underlying cause of your hair loss. (Here’s a full list to check out.) (2) 

What you can do: Never stop a medication without talking to your doctor first. That said, it may be possible to switch medications or reduce your dosage to help with hair loss. I also recommend working with a functional medicine expert on lifestyle interventions that may treat the underlying cause of your illness, which may reduce your need for medications entirely! 

5. Stress

Stress with a capital “S” is one of the most common causes of hair loss. I see this type of hair loss frequently among my patients who are grieving or have experienced a traumatic event. The good news is that this type of hair loss is temporary and will resolve on its own. 

What you can do: First, be kind to yourself. Hair loss is your body’s way of telling you that you’ve been through a lot. Try to find ways to show yourself some TLC — like a bath, a long walk, talk to a therapist, or a yoga class — and rest assured that this type of hair loss happens to a lot of people. 

6. Hairstyles and chemicals 

There are certain hairstyles that pull on hair and can cause something called traction alopecia, including braids and pigtails. The use of harsh chemicals can also damage hair and cause thinning and breakage. These factors can cause permanent damage so it’s important to keep an eye out for hair loss and take steps to mitigate it right away. 

What you can do: Look for non-toxic hair care products and salons that try to reduce their use of chemicals and damaging products. 

7. Vitamin deficiencies 

Certain nutrient deficiencies have been linked to hair loss (3), including riboflavin, biotin, folate, and vitamin B12. Micronutrients and macronutrients are both important for follicle development and the regulation of immune cell function, which play a major role in healthy hair growth. 

What you can do: Take a high-quality multivitamin daily and get checked regularly for nutrient deficiencies. You can also take a B vitamin complex to make sure you’re not deficient in any of the B vitamins above that are linked to hair loss.

8. Autoimmunity 

One of the top kinds of alopecia that I see in patients is alopecia areata, which is an autoimmune disease. This means that your immune system is triggered and attacks a part of your body, a phenomenon called molecular mimicry. When you have alopecia areata, the immune system tags and attacks the hair follicles, causing them to fall out.

What you can do: As with any autoimmune condition, there is no one solution. Every case is different, with different factors to consider. Comprehensive labs and a multi-pronged approach should be implemented. This is something that I consult with patients around the world about.

As one of the first functional medicine telehealth clinics in the world, we provide webcam health consultations for people around the globe. 

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