Why Is Your Hair Falling Out? Causes of Hair Fall & Treatment

Finding hair on your pillow, in the shower drain, or on your comb is one of the most common concerns we see at Dermacare in Himayat Nagar, Hyderabad. The good news: in the large majority of cases, hair fall is treatable — if you identify the real cause early and act on it. This guide explains why hair falls out, how to tell normal shedding from a problem, and the treatments that actually work.

How much hair fall is normal?

The average adult scalp has around 100,000 hairs, and it is completely normal to shed 50 to 100 hairs a day. Each hair follicle cycles through growth (anagen), transition (catagen), and rest (telogen) phases, then sheds and regrows. You only start to see thinning when more follicles enter the resting/shedding phase than are regrowing, or when follicles shrink over time.

Signs that your hair fall may need attention:

• Your parting is getting visibly wider, or the scalp shows through more than before.
• Your hairline is receding, or the crown is thinning (common in men).
• You see diffuse thinning all over the scalp (common in women).
• You lose clumps of hair, or shedding suddenly increases.
• You notice bald patches, redness, itching, or flaking.

The 8 most common causes of hair fall

1. Genetic (pattern) hair loss

Androgenetic alopecia — male- and female-pattern hair loss — is the single most common cause. It is driven by genetics and the hormone DHT, which gradually shrinks follicles. In men it shows as a receding hairline and crown thinning; in women as diffuse thinning over the top of the scalp. It is progressive, so earlier treatment protects more hair.

2. Nutritional deficiencies

Low iron (ferritin), vitamin D, vitamin B12, and inadequate protein are frequent contributors, especially in vegetarian diets and among women with heavy periods. Crash diets and sudden weight loss are common triggers.

3. Hormonal changes

Thyroid disorders (both under- and over-active), PCOS, pregnancy and post-delivery changes, and menopause all affect the hair cycle. Post-pregnancy shedding (telogen effluvium) is very common around 2–4 months after delivery and usually recovers.

4. Stress and illness

A major physical or emotional stressor — surgery, high fever, COVID-19, severe stress — can push many follicles into the resting phase at once, causing noticeable shedding 6–12 weeks later. This type usually recovers once the trigger passes.

5. Scalp conditions

Dandruff, seborrheic dermatitis, fungal infection, and an inflamed or oily scalp weaken the follicle environment and worsen shedding. Treating the scalp is often the missing piece. See our guide to dandruff and flaky scalp.

6. Hairstyling and chemical damage

Tight ponytails and buns (traction alopecia), frequent heat styling, and harsh chemical treatments cause breakage and, over time, follicle damage — especially along the hairline.

7. Medications and medical conditions

Certain medicines (some for blood pressure, depression, acne, and others), uncontrolled diabetes, and autoimmune conditions such as alopecia areata can all cause hair loss.

8. Age and menopause

Hair naturally becomes finer and grows more slowly with age, and hormonal shifts around menopause accelerate thinning for many women.

How hair fall is diagnosed

A proper diagnosis matters because the treatment for a vitamin deficiency is completely different from the treatment for pattern hair loss. At a hair & scalp consultation you can expect:

• Scalp and hair analysis (often with magnification) to assess follicle miniaturisation and density.
• Medical and family history — pattern, timeline, diet, stress, and any medications.
• Blood tests where indicated — ferritin, vitamin D, B12, thyroid, and hormones.

Treatments that actually work

Treatment	Best for	What to expect
Correcting deficiencies & diet	Nutritional / post-illness shedding	Improvement over 3–6 months once levels are restored
Medical therapy (topical/oral, doctor-prescribed)	Pattern hair loss	Slows loss and can regrow hair; needs consistency
PRP therapy	Early–moderate thinning, weak follicles	Course of sessions; strengthens and thickens hair
Scalp / trichology treatments	Dandruff, oily or inflamed scalp	Healthier scalp = less shedding
Nutrition & lifestyle support	Everyone	Foundation for any treatment to work

Most people do best with a combination approach — fix the underlying cause, support the scalp, and strengthen the follicles. Results take time: hair grows about 1 cm a month, so give any treatment at least 3–6 months before judging it.

What you can do at home

• Eat enough protein (dals, eggs, paneer, chicken, fish) and iron-rich foods; get vitamin D checked.
• Be gentle — avoid very tight hairstyles, aggressive brushing, and excessive heat.
• Use a mild, scalp-appropriate shampoo and don’t skip washing an oily scalp.
• Manage stress and sleep — both directly affect the hair cycle.
• Don’t self-prescribe strong supplements; excess of some (like vitamin A) can worsen hair fall.

Frequently asked questions about hair fall

How do I know if my hair fall is serious?

If you shed more than about 100 hairs a day for several weeks, see a widening part, receding hairline, visible scalp, bald patches, or scalp itching and flaking, it is worth getting a professional scalp evaluation. Early assessment gives the best treatment results.

Can hair fall be reversed?

Often, yes — especially when it is caused by deficiencies, stress, post-pregnancy changes, or scalp conditions, which are usually reversible once treated. Genetic (pattern) hair loss can be slowed and partly regrown but needs ongoing treatment because it is progressive.

Which vitamin deficiency causes the most hair fall?

Iron (low ferritin) and vitamin D deficiency are the most common in our patients, along with vitamin B12 and inadequate protein. A simple blood test can confirm which ones apply to you.

Does stress really cause hair loss?

Yes. Significant physical or emotional stress can push many follicles into the shedding phase, causing noticeable hair fall 6–12 weeks later (telogen effluvium). It usually recovers once the stressor is resolved.

How long does it take to see results from hair fall treatment?

Because hair grows roughly 1 cm per month, most treatments need 3–6 months of consistent use before you see a clear difference. Reduced shedding is usually the first sign, followed by new growth and thickness.

Is hair fall treatment in Hyderabad expensive?

It varies by cause and treatment — correcting a deficiency is inexpensive, while treatments like PRP are charged per session. At Dermacare we start with a diagnosis so you only pay for what you actually need. Contact us for current pricing.

This article is for general education and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult a qualified dermatologist or trichologist for diagnosis and treatment tailored to you.

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