Hair Falling Out? Here’s What Might Be Causing It (and How to Treat It)

Hair Falling Out? Here’s What Might Be Causing It (and How to Treat It)

If you’ve been Googling hair loss or chatting about it with your girlfriends lately, you’re not alone. Hair loss as we age is real, emotional, and confusing. So we decided to break it all down on the Beauty Lab Podcast. 

Here's a full breakdown of what we covered, so you can get answers without the overwhelm.

Types of Hair Loss

There are five main types of hair loss, and we covered them all:

  1. Androgenic Alopecia This is the most common type and happens to almost everyone as we age. It’s hormonally driven and usually shows up as thinning all over in women and receding hairlines or bald spots in men.

  2. Alopecia Areata An autoimmune condition that causes round bald patches. It can be triggered by illness, viruses (like COVID), or vaccines. Good news: It’s treatable with dermatologist-prescribed steroid injections.

  3. Telogen Effluvium This is hair shedding caused by stressors like giving birth, surgery, crash dieting, or hormone changes. Once the trigger is removed, your hair usually grows back.

  4. Traction Alopecia Caused by tight hairstyles worn over long periods. Think ponytails, braids, or cornrows. It leads to permanent damage if not caught early. Tip: Loosen up the style and give your hairline a break.

  5. Cicatricial Alopecia The most severe type. It’s scarring hair loss from autoimmune issues or scalp infections. It can cause redness, itchiness, and permanent hair loss. If you suspect this, see a specialist ASAP.

Can Dirty Hair Cause Hair Loss?

Yep. Poor hygiene can lead to folliculitis (inflammation of the hair follicle), which can result in scarring and hair loss. Regular washing and scalp care matter.

Treatments That Actually Work

We went deep into both medical and lifestyle treatments:

  • Minoxidil (topical or oral)

  • Finasteride (for men)

  • Laser therapy or red light therapy

  • Hair transplants

  • PRP therapy (injecting your own platelets into the scalp)

Just note: Most treatments can help wake up "sleeping" follicles, but they won’t help if the follicle is dead. The earlier you catch it, the better the results.

What About Supplements?

Supplements don’t grow new hair, but they can help the hair you are growing to be stronger and healthier. Think biotin, collagen, zinc, and vitamin C. Nutraceuticals like Nutrafol can help balance hormones naturally, especially during perimenopause and menopause.

How to Prevent Hair Loss

  • Keep your scalp clean and stimulated (think massage and scalp scrubs)

  • Eat well (protein, iron, biotin, zinc)

  • Drink water

  • Sleep more, stress less

  • Be gentle with your hair (especially when brushing or styling)

It’s all about giving your follicles what they need to thrive. And if you’re noticing changes, don’t wait—start the conversation now with a trusted stylist or doctor.

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