What causes severe hair loss?

Written by Huang Ling Juan
Dermatology
Updated on April 25, 2025
00:00
00:00

There are many reasons for severe hair loss, the most common being due to excessive work stress, extreme anxiety, tension, and depression, which can lead to severe hair loss. Additionally, some women experience significant hair loss after childbirth, as women's hair is very sensitive. Typically, about six months after giving birth, hair loss may start to decrease gradually. Another condition that causes severe hair loss is related to certain diseases, such as hereditary androgenic alopecia, which can also lead to significant hair loss. Furthermore, frequent hair perming, dyeing, straightening, and other actions that damage hair quality can also lead to severe hair loss. Nutritional deficiencies and lack of vitamins can also cause this problem.

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Huang Ling Juan
Dermatology
1min 7sec home-news-image

Can hair loss on the top of the head be reversed?

Generally, hair loss at the top of the head can be reversible. Sudden hair loss on the scalp may indicate alopecia areata, which typically has a clear boundary and reveals shiny patches of skin without pain or itching. This condition is often related to high mental stress and poor sleep. Treatment can include oral administration of Compound Glycyrrhizin Capsules and L-cysteine tablets, or a combination of traditional Chinese medicine diagnosis and treatment. Additionally, products like Yangxue Shengfa Capsules can be used, as well as topical solutions such as Minoxidil Solution or Compound Siyadan Hair Growth Solution, which can gradually restore hair. If the hair loss at the top of the head is androgenic alopecia, this usually requires combination with certain medications. For women, oral spironolactone can be used; for men, oral finasteride may be helpful. (Medication should be used under the guidance of a doctor.)

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Du Rui Xia
Obstetrics
50sec home-news-image

How to nourish through diet for postpartum hair loss?

When experiencing postpartum hair loss, women should enhance their nutrition by consuming more iron-rich foods, such as soybeans, black beans, seafood, spinach, and red beans, all of which contain abundant iron. Iron deficiency after childbirth is also related to the occurrence of anemia. Additionally, consuming plenty of protein-rich foods is essential, particularly since the growth of hair needs the amino acid cysteine. Therefore, it's indispensable to supplement proteins. In everyday life, one can eat chicken, beef, eggs, milk, and soy products, which all are rich in high-quality plant proteins and are excellent choices. Moreover, it’s beneficial to eat a moderate amount of iodine-containing foods, such as kelp and seaweed.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zhang Jian Bo
Dermatology
1min 2sec home-news-image

How to improve hair loss and a receding hairline?

For hair loss and receding hairlines, timely symptomatic treatment should be conducted to improve symptoms. The treatment for a receding hairline should vary based on different causes. For cases caused by endocrine disorders, excessive secretion of neurohormones, vigorous secretion of sebaceous glands, or genetic factors, a dermatoscopy can be performed to make a clear diagnosis. Then, visit the endocrinology department, and treat according to the lab results. If the scalp is very oily, selenium disulfide shampoo can be used for washing, and topical minoxidil solution can be applied. If the hair loss is due to seborrheic alopecia, also known as androgenic alopecia, anti-androgen medications should be administered timely, such as finasteride tablets, spironolactone, etc. If the local hair follicles have already caused significant atrophy and noticeable recession, hair transplantation can be considered as a method to improve the hairline by transplanting hair.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Liu Wei Jie
Obstetrics
46sec home-news-image

Is calcium supplementation effective for postpartum hair loss?

Does calcium supplementation help with postpartum hair loss? Some people may experience hair loss after childbirth. Postpartum hair loss is due to significant fluctuations in estrogen levels, namely the rapid decrease in estrogen, which can lead to hair loss. It may also be caused by breastfeeding issues or poor sleep. Hair loss is not greatly related to calcium deficiency. However, calcium supplements are still needed during breastfeeding because both the mother and the infant have a high demand for calcium. Therefore, while calcium supplementation does not greatly help with postpartum hair loss, it is necessary during the postpartum period due to the needs of the baby and the mother.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Du Rui Xia
Obstetrics
49sec home-news-image

Postpartum hair loss is related to what?

Postpartum hair loss is related to changes in hormone levels in women after childbirth. After giving birth, the level of estrogen in the body decreases, causing the hair that was in the growth phase before childbirth to enter the resting phase, and it will begin to fall out after a certain period. Generally, hair loss starts three to five months postpartum and gradually becomes a concern. Additionally, psychological factors can also cause hair loss. For example, mothers may experience mental stress and constant worry, which can affect the quality or quantity of hair. Nutritional deficiencies can also lead to insufficient nourishment for the hair, causing hair loss.