What is causing my hair to thin?

Author: Tony Emmerich  |  Last update: Wednesday, July 30, 2025

It can be the result of heredity, hormonal changes, medical conditions or a normal part of aging. Anyone can lose hair on their head, but it's more common in men. Baldness typically refers to excessive hair loss from your scalp.

What deficiency causes thin hair?

Only riboflavin, biotin, folate, and vitamin B12 deficiencies have been associated with hair loss.

Why has my hair suddenly gotten so thin?

Hair thinning can be caused by various factors, including genetics, hormonal changes, medical conditions (like thyroid disorders), stress, poor nutrition, and certain medications. It's essential to identify the specific cause to determine the most effective treatment.

Can hair grow back after thinning?

You might be able to reverse hair loss, or at least slow it. With some conditions, such as patchy hair loss (alopecia areata), hair may regrow without treatment within a year. Treatments for hair loss include medications and surgery.

Can thin hair become thick again?

Yes, absolutely! Stress, excessive heat styling, age and even genetics can deplete your hair's thickness. Keeping your scalp and roots healthy is how you can promote the growth of thick hair. You can do the same by oiling regularly, refraining from wearing tight hairstyles and following a nourishing hair care routine.

Thinning Hair? 4 Hormone Deficiencies

What does stress hair loss look like?

No Visible Pattern. With stress-related shedding, hair falls out evenly all over your scalp instead of in a defined pattern. You'll likely notice more hairs than usual coming out while shampooing, combing, or on your pillow, clothing, and bathroom floor.

Why is my hair thinning so drastically?

It can be the result of heredity, hormonal changes, medical conditions or a normal part of aging. Anyone can lose hair on their head, but it's more common in men. Baldness typically refers to excessive hair loss from your scalp. Hereditary hair loss with age is the most common cause of baldness.

What is the best shampoo for thinning hair?

Top shampoos for thinning hair, at a glance
  • Best Overall: Nizoral Anti-Dandruff Shampoo, $15.
  • Best for Thickening: Kérastase Densifique Thickening Shampoo, $44.
  • Best for Damaged Hair: Vegamour Hydr-8 Shampoo, $38.
  • Best for Volume: Bumble and Bumble Thickening Volume Shampoo, $37.

Can biotin regrow hair?

Despite its popularity in the media and amongst consumers, biotin has no proven efficacy in hair and nail growth of healthy individuals. Only 1 study has shown decreased levels of biotin in healthy individuals, though this data was confounded by multiple factors, including patient history.

What organ causes thin hair?

In other cases, thinning hair is triggered by something going on inside the body — for instance, a thyroid problem, a shift in hormones, a recent pregnancy, or an inflammatory condition. Hair loss may also be genetic. The most common genetic condition is known as female-pattern hair loss, or androgenic alopecia.

What does vitamin D hair loss look like?

When deficiency disrupts vitamin D in your scalp, the anagen (growth) phase shortens. This prematurely pushes more resting follicles into the telogen (rest) phase. Excessive shedding occurs, resulting in thinner hair. Research clearly demonstrates this link.

What are the big 3 for thinning hair?

Most of the time when people are chatting about the big 3 for hair loss, they are referring to Minoxidil, Finasteride, and Ketoconazole (Nizoral) shampoo. Although, there are some who feel like the third component of the big 3 should be microneedling in place of Ketoconazole shampoo.

What does thyroid hair loss look like?

Severe and prolonged hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism can cause loss of hair. The loss is diffuse and involves the entire scalp rather than discrete areas. The hair appears uniformly sparse.

How do I thicken my hair?

How to make your hair thicker step by step
  1. It starts from the inside – eat right! Create good conditions for healthier hair with a healthy diet. ...
  2. Take care of your scalp. ...
  3. Wash your hair in the right way. ...
  4. Cut your hair. ...
  5. Use less hot styling tools. ...
  6. Use the right hair products.

What shampoo to avoid with thin hair?

When choosing a shampoo, check the ingredient list and stay away from the following hair products.
  • Shampoos containing sulphates. ...
  • Shampoos containing parabens. ...
  • Shampoos containing formaldehyde. ...
  • Shampoos containing DMDM hydantoin. ...
  • Shampoos containing alcohol. ...
  • Shampoos containing selenium sulphide.

How to increase the speed of hair growth?

9 WAYS TO MAKE YOUR HAIR GROW FASTER
  1. Trying to grow your hair out can feel like an endless waiting game - yes, you'll need patience to grow a thick, strong mane, but there are plenty of other ways to encourage your hair to grow faster. ...
  2. Eat protein-rich foods. ...
  3. Take a hair-boosting supplement. ...
  4. Use a hair growth serum.

What is the best thing to use if your hair is thinning?

Treatment
  • Minoxidil and finasteride have Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval to treat androgenetic alopecia.
  • Minoxidil comes in strengths of 2% or 5%. People apply the product directly to the areas of thinning hair.
  • Finasteride (Propecia) is an oral medication. A person will take 1 milligram daily.

Can thinning hair go back?

Although hair re-growth may be possible, you should also know when to seek professional help. If the reason for thinning hair is genetics, it will not grow back on its own. To grow back a healthy, full head of hair, you'll need to take action, and that involves reviewing different hair loss options.

What is the best home remedy for hair growth?

  • Melatonin. ...
  • Vitamins and supplements. ...
  • Scalp massage. ...
  • Essential oils (peppermint and rosemary oil) ...
  • Jojoba oil. ...
  • Castor oil. ...
  • Coconut oil. ...
  • Rice water. Rice water has been used as a natural hair-growth product for centuries in many East Asian cultures.

What is the best hair thickening shampoo?

Our Top Picks: Best Overall: Kérastase Densifique Bodifying Shampoo, $44. Best for Color-Treated Hair: Pureology Pure Volume Shampoo, $37. Best for Oily Hair: Redken Volume Injection Shampoo, $27.

Why am I suddenly losing so much hair?

Among the common causes are high fevers, childbirth, severe infections, severe chronic illness, severe psychological stress, major surgery or illnesses, over or under active thyroid gland, crash diets with inadequate protein, and a variety of medications.

Will hair grow back if it falls out from stress?

Stress and hair loss don't have to be permanent. And if you get your stress under control, your hair might grow back. If you notice sudden or patchy hair loss or more than usual hair loss when combing or washing your hair, talk to your doctor.

When I run my fingers through my hair it falls out?

It's perfectly normal to lose a few stray strands when running your fingers, or a comb, through your hair. But if you notice increased hair being pulled out when you are being gentle, this can be a cause of concern that you should get checked over.

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