Hair thinning is very common in both women and men, and it has many possible causes. Some are temporary and settle without treatment. Others are gradual and respond best when treatment begins early. Understanding the pattern of your thinning is the first step towards the right help.
How thinning shows itself
- A part that slowly becomes wider.
- A thinner ponytail.
- More scalp visible at the crown or temples.
- A hairline that is moving back.
- More hair than usual on the pillow, in the brush or in the shower.
- Round or oval smooth bald patches.
It is normal to shed about 50 to 100 hairs a day. Hair Shedding vs Breakage: Key Differences explains how to tell shedding from breakage.
The most common causes
| Cause | Typical pattern | Usual course |
|---|---|---|
| Hereditary hair loss | Women: wider part, thinning on top. Men: receding hairline, thin crown | Gradual and ongoing; treatment can slow it |
| Telogen effluvium | Sudden, all-over shedding two to three months after a trigger | Usually temporary |
| Hormonal changes | Thinning after childbirth, around menopause, or with thyroid or ovarian conditions | Depends on the cause |
| Nutritional shortfalls | Diffuse shedding | Improves when corrected |
| Medicines and medical treatment | Diffuse shedding | Often reversible; ask your doctor |
| Alopecia areata | Sudden smooth patches | Varies; needs medical assessment |
| Traction and styling damage | Thinning at the hairline or where hair is pulled | Reversible early, permanent if pulling continues |
| Scalp conditions | Thinning with scaling, redness or itching | Improves with treatment of the scalp |
Hereditary hair loss
This is the most frequent cause. It is also called androgenetic alopecia, or male or female pattern hair loss. Hair follicles gradually shrink and produce finer, shorter hairs. It can start any time after puberty and runs in families, on either side.
Telogen effluvium
A shock to the body, such as a high fever, surgery, childbirth, rapid weight loss or severe stress, can push many hairs into the resting phase at once. They shed two to three months later. See Stress and Hair Loss: Understanding Telogen Effluvium and Postpartum Hair Loss: What to Expect After Pregnancy.
Hormones and health conditions
Thyroid disease, polycystic ovary syndrome, iron deficiency and other conditions can thin the hair. Thinning may be the first sign that prompts a diagnosis, which is one reason to have it checked.
Nutrition
Hair is sensitive to shortages of protein, iron and some vitamins and minerals, and to crash dieting. Too much of some supplements can also cause hair loss. Nutrition and Hair Health: Nutrients Your Hair Needs has the details.
Hairstyles and treatments
Tight styles, heavy extensions and harsh chemical or heat treatments damage hair and follicles. See Tight Hairstyles and Hair Loss: Understanding Traction Alopecia.
When to see a doctor or dermatologist
Make an appointment if:
- Thinning is sudden, patchy or progressing.
- You are shedding heavily for more than six months.
- Your scalp is itchy, sore, red or scaly.
- Thinning comes with fatigue, weight change, irregular periods or new facial hair.
- You are worried. Hair matters, and concern alone is a good enough reason.
Early assessment is worthwhile, because several kinds of hair loss can be slowed or reversed, and a few rare kinds cause scarring that cannot be undone.
What to expect at the appointment
The doctor will ask about your health, family history, medicines, diet and hair care, examine your scalp and may gently pull on a few hairs. Blood tests are sometimes arranged. How to Track Hair Loss Before a Dermatologist Visit shows how to record your hair loss beforehand so that the visit is more useful.
Treatments
Treatment depends on the cause. Options a doctor may discuss include minoxidil applied to the scalp, prescription medicines, treatment of an underlying condition, and changes to diet or hair care. Results take months, and most treatments need to be continued to keep their effect. Be cautious with products that promise fast regrowth, and discuss supplements with a doctor before buying them.
Caring for thinning hair meanwhile
- Wash and condition regularly with gentle products.
- Avoid tight styles and limit heat and chemical treatments.
- Detangle carefully.
- A good cut, a change of part, and tinted powders or fibers can make hair look fuller.
Related on ArniSun
- Hair Shedding vs Breakage: Key Differences
- How to Track Hair Loss Before a Dermatologist Visit
- Stress and Hair Loss: Understanding Telogen Effluvium
- Tight Hairstyles and Hair Loss: Understanding Traction Alopecia
- Nutrition and Hair Health: Nutrients Your Hair Needs
Sources and further reading
Frequently asked questions
Is hair thinning always permanent?
No. Shedding after stress, illness or childbirth usually recovers. Hereditary thinning is progressive, but treatment can slow it and sometimes thicken hair again.
Can women get pattern hair loss?
Yes. Female pattern hair loss is common, especially after menopause. It usually shows as a wider part and thinning on top, not a receding hairline.
Which doctor should I see for hair thinning?
Start with your general doctor or go directly to a dermatologist, who specializes in conditions of the skin, hair and nails.