Why Women Lose Hair in Their 20s, 30s, 40s & 50s

When your hair is shiny, full, and looking great, chances are you don’t give hair health a second (or third) thought. But when you start to see more hair in the shower drain or your hairbrush than usual, that’s when alarm bells go off. Your first thought: Am I losing my hair??? Followed by thought number two: Why is this happening, and what, exactly, causes hair loss in women? It can be alarming and confidence-busting, but there’s no reason to panic.

For one thing, losing hair is completely normal. The average person sheds between 50-100 single hairs each day. So yes, you will definitely notice hair in the drain or on the bathroom floor after styling. You might even wake up to hairs on your pillowcase, your office chair, or clinging to your sweater. Again, all normal.

There are many reasons for hair loss in women—and while some of these reasons vary by age, they all fall into a few categories: Lifestyle factors, hormonal fluctuations and underlying medical conditions are typically to blame. Still, you know your body best, so if your hair loss seems out of the ordinary, it’s always best to discuss this with your doctor.

So, at what age does hair loss start? It can start at any time. Here’s a breakdown of why hair growth might be impacted by age, and some common reasons for hair loss in every decade.

Hair Loss in Your 20s      

Healthy women in their 20s might be surprised to know that hair loss can be triggered by stress as well as diet. Restrictive eating and rapid weight loss are contributing factors to hair loss in women, as are stressful life circumstances. A nutrient deficiency of vitamins D and B, zinc, and iron can also spur hair loss in women.

Hormonal changes can also impact hair growth cycles, resulting in excess shedding. Birth control pills can play a part in hair loss, thanks to the male hormone progestin in the pill. That said, once your body gets adjusted, the excess hair loss is likely to stop.

Even the way you wear your hair can result in hair loss. Styles like braids and tight ponytails can pull hair, damaging follicles. Harsh chemical and heat styling can also lead to breakage and loss.

Hair Loss in Your 30s      

While many of the reasons for hair loss in 20s can also strike women in their 30s, there are some triggers for excess shedding or thinning hair that may be more common in this decade.

Pregnancy is another case of hormonal flux triggering hair loss. In this case, the hair’s natural shedding phase is largely dormant during pregnancy itself. But after childbirth, many women experience postpartum hair loss: a massive amount of shedding and hair loss all at once. This typically happens in the second or third month postpartum, as an increased number of follicles entering the active shedding phase. As your hair regains its natural rhythm, you’ll no longer notice extra hair loss.

In addition to stress, physical trauma like surgery can also trigger hair loss. That, along with thyroid issues, hormonal shifts due to birth control or pregnancy, and vitamin deficiencies can all manifest in an increase in hair loss. Low iron is another factor, since iron contributes to healthy blood cells, and a deficiency can cause hair to shed excessively. A doctor can do a blood test to check for proper iron levels, as well as other vitamin deficiencies. 

Hair Loss in Your 40s      

In your 40s, in addition to the lifestyle, medical conditions, and other culprits that cause hair loss in the 20s and 30s, you may notice hair growth slowing and hair loss increasing due to the onset of perimenopause.

In perimenopause—the stage of life leading up to menopause that can last years—estrogen and progesterone levels fluctuate, contributing to thinning hair that grows more slowly. What’s more, an increase in androgens, male hormones, can shrink hair follicles.

Finally, some prescription drugs and medical treatments can cause hair loss. If your doctor hasn’t already mentioned this potential side effect, be sure to ask them about it.

Hair Loss in Your 50s      

The average age of menopause in the US is 51 years. As your estrogen and progesterone levels fall, the effects of male hormones in your body, increase. As with perimenopause, this can lead to thinning hair and slowed hair growth. As hair follicles shrink, hair may become more fine, and fall out more easily.

In the 50s and beyond, hair loss may also be attributed to prescription drugs or certain medical conditions, so talk to your doctor about how any health issues or medications you are currently taking could impact hair loss.

How to stop hair loss

The first step in stopping or reversing hair loss and restoring healthy hair growth is to determine the cause of the problem. In many cases, your doctor may be able to help you pinpoint a trigger.

But regardless of the reasons for hair loss, there are some things you can do on your own to keep your hair as healthy, vital, and strong as possible. This includes eating a varied diet filled with whole, nutritious foods, taking hair growth supplements that include biotin and keratin such as OMI WellBeauty^TM Hair Nutrition, mixing up your hair styles so you don’t tug on your roots and relying less on chemical and heat treatments, and prioritizing your overall mental and physical wellness.

Your Dream Hair To-Do:

• Remember that losing hair is completely normal. The average person sheds between 50-100 single hairs each day. You don’t have to panic.
• Know the facts about hair loss in women. Stress, physical trauma like surgery can also trigger hair loss. That, along with thyroid issues, hormonal shifts due to birth control or pregnancy, and vitamin deficiencies can all manifest in an increase in hair loss.

•Support your hair at every age with the best hair growth supplements that contain Keratin, a key beauty peptide that supports hair growth at the follicle level, as well as biotin, a B vitamin that helps keratin work harder. OMI WellBeauty^TM Hair Nutrition contains both these key nutrients to nourish hair from the inside out.