What is causing my sudden hair loss?

Hair loss is something that can affect both men and women and it can happen for several different reasons. Over time, for both men and women, it is normal for your hair to thin, hair will naturally thin due to changes in the hair growth cycle that happen as we age.

Sudden hair loss is usually different, and in most cases, there will be a reason behind it. Today, we’re going to discuss some of the causes of sudden hair loss, and if they’re something you should be worrying about.

Sudden hair loss

With most types of hair loss, you’ll notice the hair gradually thins or recedes over time, this can be due to a number of different reasons. However, some people might experience hair loss quite suddenly, where you will notice a lot of hair fall over a shorter period.

Stress-related sudden hair loss

One cause of sudden hair loss can be stress, both emotional and physical stress can cause hair loss. During a stressful time, your hair cycle will change. As your body is put through stress the growth phase of the hair growth cycle can stop, this pushes the hair follicles into the resting phase. This, in turn, stops the hair growth phase and the hair follicles can then lie dormant for around three months before shedding.

Due to the hair follicles remaining dormant during a stressful period, you will notice a lot of hair sheds suddenly.

The good news is, stress-related hair loss is not permanent, as the stress stops your hair growth cycle will normalize and your hair will continue to grow and shed as before.

Post-pregnancy sudden hair loss

Sudden hair loss is more common in women due to hormonal changes. One common cause of sudden hair loss is giving birth. Throughout pregnancy, your hormones will go through many different changes which in turn, will alter the hair growth cycle.

Oestrogen is one of the hormones that cause hair to remain in the growth phase, when pregnant you’ll have increased levels of oestrogen, this means your hair will be much fuller during pregnancy. However, post-pregnancy you’ll notice this change, your hormone levels will normalize and this can cause a shock to the body and your hair.

The, now lower, levels of oestrogen in the body can cause the hair to shed, this can cause 60% of the hair to enter the resting stage at once, causing sudden hair loss. After some time, the hormones in your body will normalize, as will the hair growth cycle.

Alopecia areata sudden hair loss

Alopecia areata is an autoimmune condition that can cause hair loss to happen suddenly. This happens because the immune system attacks healthy parts of the body (including the hair follicles). Hair from your scalp and other areas of the body can fall out suddenly in chunks.

Should I see a hair loss specialist?

For some cases of sudden hair loss, such as stress or hormonal changes you will not need to see a hair loss specialist since the hair growth phase will normalise over time. However, if you think you’re experiencing sudden hair loss due to a different cause, a hair loss specialist will be able to walk you through what is causing your hair loss and discuss hair restoration options.

Contact us today for a no-obligation consultation. 

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