Top Causes of Hair Shedding in Women
By Qhemet Biologics
If you suffer from excessive hair shedding, you're not alone. Over 30 million American women will experience some form of hair loss in their lifetimes, including approximately 50% of Black women. If you've had COVID, your risk for experiencing telogen effluvia (excessive shedding) increases to 82%. Learn more about some of the most common health related conditions associated with hair loss and shedding below.
Scalp Conditions
Poor scalp health can lead to or worsen hair shedding in many people. The following are some of the more common scalp conditions related to hair shedding.
Traction Alopecia
Traction alopecia is a frequent cause of hair loss among black women. It's caused by hair follicle inflammation, which occurs when the hair is pulled too tightly for too long such as when it's combed and brushed too roughly or when it's styled in tight cornrows or braids. This causes the hair, especially along the hairline, to break off. Tightly coiled hair is naturally more fragile and prone to breakage due to the lack of a sebum coating along the length of its strands, so gentle grooming practices are needed to keep coily hair healthy and strong. To avoid traction alopecia, always drench the hair in a slippery conditioner like our Cocoa Tree Detangling Ghee before combing and always comb using a wide tooth comb, starting from the bottom up. Follow up by applying a rich, porosity appropriate moisturizer like our Amla & Olive Heavy Cream or Burdock Root Butter Cream to your hair to keep it soft and supple and prevent brittleness and breakage to preserve length. To soothe damaged follicles and boost growth from the outside in, use either our Tea Tree & Lavender Therapeutic Pomade or our Castor & Amla Nourishing Pomade.To feed and soothe damaged or inflamed follicles from the inside out and stimulate growth, use our MSM + BIOTIN | Hair Nutrients Blend.
Alopecia Areata
Alopecia areata is an autoimmune condition that can cause the immune system to attack healthy hair follicles which it mistakes as foreign invaders. This can cause the hair to fall out in small patches initially and progress to shedding across larger areas of the scalp. This condition is most common in people ages 35-50 and can result in total hair loss. This type of alopecia can also be genetic. For most people, alopecia areata is not a permanent condition. Once they're able to address their overactive immune system and quell the follicle inflammation, their hair can grow back. Recommended products: MSM + BIOTIN | Hair Nutrients Blend.
Scalp Psoriasis
Scalp psoriasis is an inflammatory skin condition. Like other types of psoriasis, it increases skin cell turnover rates that cause the skin to pile up into what are known as plaques. If you have bright red patches on your scalp that also have a silvery sheen, you are likely dealing with scalp psoriasis. In dark skinned people, scalp psoriasis lesions can appear as violet or dark purple in color and as areas of darker, thicker skin. This condition can lead to hair loss, itching and bleeding if not treated. For mild cases or to alleviate the associated itchiness and soreness, we recommend our Tea Tree & Lavender Therapeutic Pomade.
Dandruff
Certain types of dandruff are caused by an overgrowth of a fungus called Malassezia, which can impede hair growth. We recommend our Tea Tree & Lavender Therapeutic Pomade.
Vitamin & Mineral Deficiencies
Vitamin and mineral deficiencies can worsen the health of the hair and scalp and exacerbate hair loss. If you have a Vitamin D or iron deficiency, you may experience excessive hair shedding.
Vitamin D Deficiency
Vitamin D deficiency can result in excessive shedding and thinning in many people. It is estimated that up to 76% of Black Americans have a Vitamin D deficiency. Vitamin D stimulates the hair follicles to grow, so when the body is lacking in this essential nutrient, the hair may be affected. "There is a link between vitamin D deficiency and alopecia, and it is often one of the common causes of thinning hair or hair loss in men or women.” Vitamin D also plays an important role in a healthy immune system, so a deficiency may also make people more prone to autoimmune conditions like alopecia areata. Research shows that women aged 18-45 who experienced alopecia and other forms of hair loss were more likely to have low vitamin D levels than those who did not experience hair loss. Vitamin D deficiency can be resolved through sunlight exposure and Vitamin D supplements. Our MSM + BIOTIN | Hair Nutrients Blend contains 2,000 IU's (50 mcg) of Vitamin D3 to address this deficiency.
Iron Deficiency
It is estimated that 20% of Black and Mexican-American women in the US have iron deficiency anemia. Over their lifetime, about 80% of Black women will develop uterine fibroids which can lead to heavy periods and an iron deficiency. Iron is necessary for healthy blood cells. It also keeps the hair healthy and strong. If your iron levels are being depleted through your cycle and you aren't consuming enough through your diet to replace it, you may notice your hair starting to thin and fall out more. You may also develop brittle nails and pale skin. If you suspect that you are iron deficient, it's a good idea to get your iron levels checked, especially if you have heavy periods.
Lifestyle Factors
Both alcohol and cigarette smoking can deplete the body of key nutrients needed to nourish follicles, fuel hair growth, and produce strong, healthy hair.
Hormonal Changes
Hormonal fluctuations can lead to a myriad of symptoms, including hair loss. The most extreme hormonal changes tend to take place during and after pregnancy, as well as during menopause.
Pregnancy
When you're pregnant, your hair may actually appear thicker and fuller. This is because certain hormones prevent and minimize hair loss. When you give birth though, more hormonal changes occur, and the extra hair you've retained will start to fall out. Many women notice significant hair thinning and hair loss after giving birth, but luckily, hormonal imbalances tend to normalize within 3-6 months. Recommended products:
Menopause
You may become more prone to hair loss during the onset of menopause. When the levels of estrogen and progesterone drop, hair grows more slowly and becomes much thinner. Our Castor & Amla Nourishing Pomade may help nourish the follicles to combat shedding and encourage growth after pregnancy and menopause. Our MSM + BIOTIN | Hair Nutrients Blend may also help tighten follicles to reduce shedding and stimulate regrowth.
Aging
Almost everyone will notice hair loss and hair thinning as they age, however, it's most common among women older than 40. Hair might become finer (thinner) because hair follicles shrink. This is why people get weaker bones and thinner skin. And it’s a similar process for hair. As you age, you also produce less oil in your scalp, which can make hair weak and brittle. This can also contribute to overall hair loss and thinning.
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Health Conditions
Hair shedding is associated with many other health conditions as well, including the following:
PCOS
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (often referred to as PCOS) occurs when the ovaries become enlarged and cysts develop on the outside of them. This condition causes your body to produce excess androgens which may result in extra hair growth on your face and body as well as increased hair thinning on your head. In addition to hair loss, PCOS is linked to weight gain, acne, and trouble ovulating and getting pregnant.
Hypothyroidism
The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland that's located in the neck and produces hormones that keep your metabolism functioning properly. When your thyroid is underactive (this is a condition known as hypothyroidism), it can slow down the hair growth cycle and cause your hair to become thinner. If your hair thinning and loss are caused by hypothyroidism, you'll likely experience other symptoms like weight gain or increased sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures.
Diabetes
People with diabetes are more likely to develop alopecia areata. The stress of living with diabetes may contribute to hair loss and interrupt the hair growth cycle. As a result, it may take longer for hair to grow back after it has fallen out. Approximately 18.7% of African- Americans aged 20 years or older have diagnosed or undiagnosed diabetes.
Lupus
Lupus disproportionately affects 1 in 537 young African-American women. People with lupus can experience significant symptoms, such as pain, extreme fatigue, hair loss, cognitive issues, and physical impairments that affect every facet of their lives. Lupus causes hair loss by increasing inflammation around the hair follicles. Lupus may also cause lesions on the scalp, damaging the follicles and interfering with normal hair growth patterns. We recommend our Castor & Amla Nourishing Pomade.
COVID-19
Research shows that COVID-19 infection (irrespective of severity, including asymptomatic cases) can trigger telogen effluvium and cause people to shed up to 50% of their hair. One study revealed that 32 percent of COVID-19 patients experienced hair loss after recovering from the virus. Another study following hospitalized patients showed that 22 percent were still losing hair 6 months after being discharged. A 2024 study showed that COVID-19 conferred a nearly twofold risk of developing alopecia areata (AA) as well as increased the risk of developing alopecia totalis and alopecia universalis. Hair shedding is common after major health events that involve major surgery, high fever or infection. Whenever there's a shock to the system, it can push the hair growth phase into the shedding phase. Ensuring your body returns to optimal health post-illness is crucial, making high-quality supplements essential. Our MSM + BIOTIN | Hair Nutrients Blend contains MSM (Methylsulfonylmethane) which supports a healthy inflammatory response and immune function by boosting the production of glutathione, a powerful free-radical neutralizer. It also contains vital nutrients like Vitamins C, D3, B12, and Folate to replenish the body's stores, contribute to whole body health and support hair regrowth.
Medications
Finally, many medications list hair shedding as a side effect, especially prescription drugs used to treat arthritis, depression, gout, heart problems and high blood pressure. If you're dealing with excessive hair loss, the following medications may be the culprit:
High Blood Pressure
Many beta-blocker blood pressure medications are associated with hair loss, including the following:
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Metoprolol (brand name Lopressor)
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Timolol (brand name Blocadren)
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Propranolol (brand name Inderal or Inderal LA)
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Atenolol (brand name Tenormin)
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Nadolol (brand name Corgard)
Some ACE inhibitors can cause the hair to thin too:
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Enalapril (brand name Vasotec)
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Lisinopril (brand name Prinivil or Zestril)
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Captopril (brand name Capoten)
Oral Contraceptives
Oral contraceptives (also known as birth control pills or just "the pill") can cause hair thinning and hair loss in some people. This is because oral contraceptives suppress hormones that cause ovulation, and these same hormones also contribute to hair growth. Birth control pills can cause the hair to shift from the growing phase to the resting phase too soon and for too long. This form of hair loss is called telogen effluvium. Large amounts of hair can fall out during this time. Those who have a family history of hair loss are more likely to experience this when taking birth control pills. Our MSM + BIOTIN | Hair Nutrients Blend has been clinically shown to help with telogen effluvium.
Anti-Inflammatory Steroids
Anti-inflammatory steroids (such as Prednisone) can cause hair loss during the telogen, or resting phase. Some people also experience hair loss after they stop taking steroid medications. If someone's hair loss is caused by an inflammatory condition such as an autoimmune disease, steroids may help to reduce symptoms and improve hair thickness. Natural anti-inflammatory's may help as well. Please see our Castor & Amla Nourishing Pomade and MSM + BIOTIN | Hair Nutrients Blend.
Weight Loss Products
Crash dieting and rapid weight loss can lead to thinning hair and excessive shedding. This has to do, in part, with nutrient depletion and malnutrition, which can occur when you aren't consuming enough calories and nutrients. If you've lost weight with diet pills or injections like Phentermine, Wegovy, Ozempic, Mounjaro, etc., you may be more susceptible to thinning hair and hair loss.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy, a common cancer treatment, often causes hair loss. These drugs are designed to destroy the fast-growing cancer cells in your body, but they also attack and destroy other cells that grow quickly, like the roots of your hair. Regrowth typically occurs after the treatments have ended and can be aided by nutritional and follicular replenishment. We recommend our Castor & Amla Nourishing Pomade and MSM + BIOTIN | Hair Nutrients Blend.
Combating Hair Shedding
Unfortunately, many health related conditions can trigger hair loss and shedding, from vitamin deficiencies and hormonal imbalances to infections and certain medications. Many of the ingredients in Qhemet products have been used for thousands of years to stimulate growth, strengthen follicles, reduce shedding and combat breakage but if your hair shedding hasn't been mitigated through improved nutrition, healthy styling techniques and our carefully researched plant-based hair products, scalp treatments and clinically supported MSM + BIOTIN | Hair Nutrients Blend, it may be time to reach out to a dermatologist or trichologist.
Sources
American Academy of Dermatology.
Hair Loss in Black Women: Tips from an Expert.
Is It Scalp Psoriasis or Dandruff? How to Tell Them Apart.
Why are black women losing their hair.
What's to know about alopecia areata?
Vitamin D and African Americans.
American Academy of Dermatology.
Hair Loss in Black Women: Tips from an Expert.
Is It Scalp Psoriasis or Dandruff? How to Tell Them Apart.
Why are black women losing their hair.
What's to know about alopecia areata?
Vitamin D and African Americans.
Vitamin D Deficiency and Hair Loss: Everything You Need to Know
Serum ferritin and vitamin d in female hair loss: do they play a role?
Iron Deficiency Anemia.
Can an iron deficiency cause hair loss?
Polycystic ovary syndrome.
What to know about thyroid function and hair loss.
Does Diabetes Cause Hair Loss?
Lupus facts and statistics.
Can COVID-19 Cause You to Lose Your Hair?
What Medications Can Cause Hair Loss, and What Can You Do About It?
Can Birth Control Cause Hair Loss?
Prednisone (Oral Route).
Serum ferritin and vitamin d in female hair loss: do they play a role?
Iron Deficiency Anemia.
Can an iron deficiency cause hair loss?
Polycystic ovary syndrome.
What to know about thyroid function and hair loss.
Does Diabetes Cause Hair Loss?
Lupus facts and statistics.
Can COVID-19 Cause You to Lose Your Hair?
What Medications Can Cause Hair Loss, and What Can You Do About It?
Can Birth Control Cause Hair Loss?
Prednisone (Oral Route).
