Losing lots of hair

[krisim]

Out of the blue, I have been losing a lot more hair lately (over the past several months).  I do have a lot of hair to start with (thankfully), so it's not too noticeable, except there are massive amounts of hair that comes out when I brush my hair and when I wash it.  I did get highlights in my hair last winter (it seemed to change the texture of my hair so that its more challenging to brush) and I have been teasing my hair more (I wear it in updos a few times a week now that I work in a more professional office, and I tease at the crown to get some volume).  Could either of those things cause a lot of hair loss?   Or is it time to see a doctor (dermatologist?)?

[chloesilverado]

Oct 22, 2015 8:37:39 GMT -5 krisim said:

Out of the blue, I have been losing a lot more hair lately (over the past several months).  I do have a lot of hair to start with (thankfully), so it's not too noticeable, except there are massive amounts of hair that comes out when I brush my hair and when I wash it.  I did get highlights in my hair last winter (it seemed to change the texture of my hair so that its more challenging to brush) and I have been teasing my hair more (I wear it in updos a few times a week now that I work in a more professional office, and I tease at the crown to get some volume).  Could either of those things cause a lot of hair loss?   Or is it time to see a doctor (dermatologist?)?

Losing up to 200 hairs per day is normal shedding. Hair count and diameter start to go down around the age of 40. Hair shedding can also be related to hormonal changes. Yes - highlights change the structure of hair which weakens the hair which increases breakage that people think is hair loss.

[gringachef]

Hormones and stress will do it, as will age :/
Biotin supplements can help.

[chloesilverado]

More brushing and teasing results in more friction on the hair and thus more breakage. Maybe try using a more conditioning conditioner in addition to getting bloodwork done?

[veruca5839]

It could be due to breakage. I'd change around how you're styling/handling your hair, and see if you notice an improvement.

You could also see your doc to check iron and thyroid. Problems with those can cause hair loss.

[aak0517]

Oct 22, 2015 10:06:52 GMT -5 mryrcn said:

I'd go get a quick physical. I had the same issue earlier & made sure it wasn't thyroid or iron related. Turns out it was just stress.

This was me too this summer. Except I already have fine hair and not a ton of it. My tests came back all clear, so it was just stress and going off the BC pills that sent a shock to my system. Biotin and vitamins has helped a ton. I also tried to not wash my hair so frequently bc it came out most in the shower. Also, I was suuuuper gentle with how I brushed and how tight my hair ties were to be safe.

After a couple of months, I'm almost back to normal.

[chloesilverado]

Oct 22, 2015 12:29:40 GMT -5 aak0517 said:

Oct 22, 2015 10:06:52 GMT -5 mryrcn said:

I'd go get a quick physical. I had the same issue earlier & made sure it wasn't thyroid or iron related. Turns out it was just stress.

This was me too this summer. Except I already have fine hair and not a ton of it. My tests came back all clear, so it was just stress and going off the BC pills that sent a shock to my system. Biotin and vitamins has helped a ton. I also tried to not wash my hair so frequently bc it came out most in the shower. Also, I was suuuuper gentle with how I brushed and how tight my hair ties were to be safe.

After a couple of months, I'm almost back to normal.

There is also a seasonal component to hair shedding. Hair shedding is highest in July and decreases into the fall.

[LoveBug]

Oct 22, 2015 12:29:40 GMT -5 aak0517 said:

Oct 22, 2015 10:06:52 GMT -5 mryrcn said:

I'd go get a quick physical. I had the same issue earlier & made sure it wasn't thyroid or iron related. Turns out it was just stress.

This was me too this summer. Except I already have fine hair and not a ton of it. My tests came back all clear, so it was just stress and going off the BC pills that sent a shock to my system. Biotin and vitamins has helped a ton. I also tried to not wash my hair so frequently bc it came out most in the shower. Also, I was suuuuper gentle with how I brushed and how tight my hair ties were to be safe.

After a couple of months, I'm almost back to normal.

Which biotin supplements do you take?

[aak0517]

Oct 22, 2015 13:51:29 GMT -5 LoveBug said:

Oct 22, 2015 12:29:40 GMT -5 aak0517 said:

This was me too this summer. Except I already have fine hair and not a ton of it. My tests came back all clear, so it was just stress and going off the BC pills that sent a shock to my system. Biotin and vitamins has helped a ton. I also tried to not wash my hair so frequently bc it came out most in the shower. Also, I was suuuuper gentle with how I brushed and how tight my hair ties were to be safe.

After a couple of months, I'm almost back to normal.

Which biotin supplements do you take?

I do a women's daily multi vitamin that has biotin then a 1000ml tablet everyday. I just grabbed whatever brand was cheapest at Walgreens.

I will warn that you should up your water intake if you take biotin. I experienced some breakouts after starting and read that it will do that if you don't drink a lot of water? So I did that and now I've had no problems.

[LoveBug]

Oct 22, 2015 22:05:56 GMT -5 aak0517 said:

Oct 22, 2015 13:51:29 GMT -5 LoveBug said:

Which biotin supplements do you take?

I do a women's daily multi vitamin that has biotin then a 1000ml tablet everyday. I just grabbed whatever brand was cheapest at Walgreens.

I will warn that you should up your water intake if you take biotin. I experienced some breakouts after starting and read that it will do that if you don't drink a lot of water? So I did that and now I've had no problems.

Thanks!

[mrspost08]

Thyroid issues can cause you to lose hair too. Never hurts to get things checked out just in case.

[watermelon620]

Oct 22, 2015 22:55:17 GMT -5 mrspost08 said:

Thyroid issues can cause you to lose hair too. Never hurts to get things checked out just in case.

Yup. Always get a neck check as they say. It's a simple blood test for your thyroid.