Why You're Losing Hair: The 7 Most Common Causes in India

Hair loss affects over 50% of Indian men by the age of 50, and increasingly impacts women in their 20s and 30s. But hair loss isn't a single condition — it's a symptom. And the right treatment depends entirely on identifying the right cause.

1. Androgenetic Alopecia (Pattern Hair Loss)

The most common cause — responsible for roughly 95% of hair loss in men and a significant proportion in women. It's genetic and driven by DHT (dihydrotestosterone), a hormone that miniaturises hair follicles over time. In men, it follows the classic Norwood pattern; in women, diffuse thinning across the top of the scalp. Treatment: FUE/DHI transplant, PRP, Minoxidil, Finasteride (men), Spironolactone (women).

2. Nutritional Deficiencies

India has some of the world's highest rates of iron deficiency anaemia — and iron is critical for hair growth. Vitamin D, B12, Biotin, Zinc, and Protein deficiencies are also extremely common causes of hair loss, particularly in vegetarians. A simple blood panel can identify and correct these deficiencies within weeks.

3. Thyroid Disorders

Both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism cause diffuse hair loss across the entire scalp. The good news: treat the thyroid condition effectively, and hair regrows fully. Always rule this out with a TSH, T3, and T4 blood test.

4. Telogen Effluvium (Stress Shedding)

A sudden stressful event — surgery, illness, childbirth, major weight loss, or emotional trauma — can push large numbers of hair follicles into the resting (telogen) phase simultaneously. The result: dramatic shedding 2–4 months after the trigger event. This is temporary and self-resolving, though PRP can accelerate recovery.

5. Scalp Conditions

Dandruff (seborrheic dermatitis), psoriasis, and fungal infections (tinea capitis) cause inflammation at the follicle level, disrupting growth cycles and causing patchy or diffuse loss. Treatment of the underlying scalp condition resolves the hair loss.

6. PCOS in Women

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome affects 1 in 5 Indian women and is a major driver of female pattern hair loss due to elevated androgen levels. Hair loss from PCOS responds well to hormonal management combined with topical treatments and PRP.

7. Over-styling & Chemical Damage

Frequent heat styling, harsh chemical treatments, tight hairstyles (traction alopecia), and poor-quality hair products cause cumulative damage that weakens follicles and breaks hair at the shaft. Often mistaken for 'genetic' loss.

When to See a Specialist

If you're losing more than 100 hairs per day, noticing a widening parting, visible thinning at the temples or crown, or patchy loss — book a trichology consultation at Tru Glow. We'll run a complete scalp analysis, blood panel review, and dermoscopy to identify your specific cause and recommend the right treatment plan.