Can’t Figure Out Why Your Hair Is Falling Out?
Have you started seeing more hair in your brush or maybe in the shower drain? It’s unsettling, isn’t it? Hair loss happens to a lot of us, often thanks to things like genetics, stress, hormonal shifts, or not getting enough nutrients. If you’re dealing with it, you’re definitely not alone.
Getting to the root of your hair loss is key to finding something that actually works. Whether you’re facing temporary shedding or something more stubborn, figuring out what’s going on makes a big difference in how you tackle it.
Common Causes of Unexplained Hair Loss
Hair loss can sneak up for all sorts of reasons, and sometimes it’s not obvious at all. Digging into these less obvious causes might point you toward the right fix—or at least help you understand what’s happening.
Hormonal Imbalances
Hormones really set the pace for your hair’s growth cycles. When they get out of whack, your hair can pay the price.
For women, things like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) can boost testosterone and thin out your hair. Pregnancy and menopause shake up hormones too, which can cause extra shedding. It’s pretty common for women to lose more hair a few months after giving birth.
For men, dihydrotestosterone (DHT) is usually the main suspect. Over time, DHT can shrink hair follicles and lead to that classic male pattern baldness.
Thyroid problems don’t care about gender. If your thyroid is overactive or underactive, it can mess with your hair’s natural cycle. You can check your hormone levels with a simple blood test if you’re not sure what’s going on.
Nutritional Deficiencies
What you eat shows up in your hair, for better or worse. Missing out on certain nutrients can really take a toll on growth and strength. Iron, vitamin D, zinc, biotin, and protein all play big roles in keeping hair healthy. If you’re on a crash diet or cutting out major food groups, your body might shift energy away from hair growth to focus on more important things.
If you’re vegetarian or vegan, you might need to pay extra attention to your B12 and iron. A blood test can let you know if you’re low on any of these and help you figure out if that’s what’s behind your hair issues.
Stress and Mental Health Factors
Stress—whether physical or emotional—can flip a switch and push hair into the shedding phase way too soon. It’s called telogen effluvium, and it’s more common than you’d think.
Big life events like divorce or job loss, major surgeries, grief, or just long-term anxiety can all trigger it. When you’re stressed, your body pumps out more cortisol, which can throw your hair’s growth cycle off balance. Usually, you’ll notice the extra hair loss a few months after the stressful event.
Not sleeping enough only makes things worse. Getting more rest can help keep your hormones—and your hair—on a steadier path. Once the stress eases up, most people see their hair start to recover. Things like meditation, exercise, or even talking to someone can help lower stress and maybe slow down the shedding.
When to Seek Professional Help for Hair Shedding
It’s normal to lose some hair, but sometimes it crosses a line. If you’re seeing obvious changes, it’s probably time to talk to a doctor. Catching things early can make a big difference.
Recognizing Severe or Sudden Hair Loss
Check in with a doctor right away if you notice:
- Hair coming out in big clumps
- Bald spots showing up suddenly
- Rapid thinning over a short time
- Hair loss with scalp pain or itching
- A receding hairline or wider part that’s getting worse fast
If you’re losing more than 100-150 strands a day, that’s usually a red flag. If baldness runs in your family, and you’re seeing faster loss, don’t wait to get checked. For women, if post-pregnancy shedding doesn’t slow down after about six months to a year, it’s worth asking your doctor. Some medications can also mess with your hair, so always mention any new prescriptions.
Diagnostic Tests and Evaluations
Your doctor will probably start with a few simple checks. They might gently tug on your hair, look at it under a microscope, or do a close scalp exam. They’ll often order blood tests to check your hormone levels—like thyroid or testosterone—and look for low iron, zinc, or vitamin D. If they think something like lupus might be behind it, they’ll check for autoimmune markers too.
Sometimes, they’ll need a small scalp biopsy to rule out inflammation or fungal infections. Trichoscopy is another tool—kind of like a scalp microscope—that lets specialists see what’s happening with your follicles without any cutting. This can show if you have the miniaturization typical in androgenetic alopecia.
Scalp Treatment in Singapore
Scalp treatment in Singapore is known for its thorough and personalized approach to tackling hair loss. Clinics in the city focus on understanding the root causes and offer tailored solutions, rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all method.
Some of the top treatments you’ll find:
- Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy, which uses growth factors from your own blood to wake up those sluggish hair follicles
- Low-level laser therapy—think medical devices that zap your scalp with gentle light
- Prescription meds like minoxidil or finasteride (the usual suspects)
- Scalp facials that go beyond the surface, exfoliating and giving your scalp a serious clean
Plenty of clinics here like to mix things up, blending Eastern and Western methods for a more well-rounded experience. You’ll even find Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) working alongside modern treatments, which is kind of cool if you ask me.
Prices can start around $80-300 just for a basic consult, but if you’re after a full package, you might be looking at $1,000-3,000. Most places won’t just hand you a standard plan—they’ll actually look at your scalp, your hair type, and how much you’re losing before setting up something tailored for you.
