Understanding the causes of hair loss is the first step toward restoring healthy hair growth. In this section we explore the most common reasons people experience excessive shedding or thinning hair, including stress, hormonal changes, hereditary hair loss, telogen effluvium, and lifestyle factors that can disrupt the hair growth cycle. These articles help explain why hair loss occurs and when it may be a sign of a deeper scalp or follicle issue.
Does Creatine Cause Hair Loss? What the Research Actually Shows
Creatine has not been proven to cause hair loss. But if you notice shedding, thinning, or scalp changes after starting a supplement, it is still worth looking closer.
The question is not always as simple as “creatine did it” or “creatine had nothing to do with it.” Hair loss often has more than one contributing factor, including genetics, hormones, stress, nutrition, scalp health, medications, training changes, and timing.
Seeing hair in your brush can feel alarming, but brushing is not always the real cause of hair loss.
Sometimes brushing simply reveals normal shedding. Other times, it may expose breakage, tangling, scalp-related concerns, or changes that deserve a closer look.
Brushing your hair does not usually cause true hair loss from the scalp. In many cases, the hair you see in your brush was already naturally shedding and simply became noticeable when you brushed.
However, brushing too aggressively, using the wrong brush, brushing through tangles from the root down, or brushing fragile hair while wet can contribute to breakage and make hair look thinner over time.
If you’ve recently noticed more hair in your brush, shower drain, or on your pillow, you’re not alone. Many people go through periods where their hair seems to shed more than usual, and it can quickly become concerning.
The reality is that some hair shedding is completely normal. However, when the amount of shedding suddenly increases or continues longer than expected, it may be a sign that something is affecting the natural hair growth cycle.
If shedding continues or you begin to notice thinning areas, exploring hair loss solutions in Cleveland may help you better understand what options are available.
Understanding the most common causes of hair shedding can help you determine whether what you’re experiencing is temporary—or whether it may be time to take a closer look at your scalp health.
GLP-1 weight-loss medications like Ozempic®, Wegovy®, and Mounjaro® have changed lives. But as more women begin or complete their weight-loss journeys, one unexpected concern keeps coming up:“Why am I losing hair?”Hair thinning is not an official side effect of GLP-1 drugs, but that does not mean it is not happening. In fact, many women notice:
The good news: Most GLP-1–related hair loss is indirect and often reversible. But in some cases, thinning can progress into visible loss that benefits from early intervention or cosmetic solutions.
Let’s break down why it happens and what you can do to protect and restore your hair.
Most people understand that stress can affect their body — tight shoulders, poor sleep, or changes in appetite — but few realize it can also impact the scalp.
We see this connection every day. When cortisol (the body’s main stress hormone) remains elevated for too long, it can disrupt the normal function of the scalp and hair follicles.
Cortisol is essential in short bursts — it helps your body respond to immediate challenges. But when life stress becomes chronic, so does cortisol. That imbalance changes how your body distributes energy and nutrients, leading to scalp irritation, shedding, and weaker regrowth over time.
Let’s explore exactly how this happens — and how a trichological scalp analysis can help restore balance and healthier hair.
When most people think about hair loss, alcohol doesn’t usually make the list of causes. But while alcohol itself doesn’t directly cause hair loss, the effects it has on your body — from disrupting sleep to depleting nutrients — can absolutely affect the health of your scalp and hair. Let’s explore what’s really happening beneath the surface.
1. Stress and Cortisol: The Hidden Connection
Stress is one of the most common internal triggers of hair loss. According to Harvard Health, elevated cortisol levels can push hair follicles into a resting phase — a process known as telogen effluvium — where shedding occurs more easily. When this happens repeatedly, it can lead to visible thinning across the scalp. High stress also disrupts hormone balance and scalp oil production, often resulting in increased itch, dandruff, or inflammation that further weakens hair growth.
Hair loss can feel overwhelming—especially if you’re searching for hair loss solutions in Cleveland and keep finding contradictory advice online. If you’ve noticed more strands in your brush or a widening part, you’re not alone. Studies show up to 40 percent of women experience noticeable hair loss by age 50[1].
At our Cleveland center, every journey starts with ScalpCheck®, a trichology-based analysis that reveals what’s happening beneath the surface of your scalp. Below are seven often-overlooked reasons for thinning—plus how improving your scalp health and choosing the right hair loss solutions can make all the difference.
Seasonal Hair Shedding: What’s Normal and When to Take a Closer Look
Noticing more hair in your brush, shower, or hands this fall? Hair shedding can follow seasonal patterns, but timing alone does not mean every increase in shedding is seasonal. The important question is whether your hair appears to be recovering normally or whether something else may be contributing.
Is Seasonal Hair Shedding Real?
Research has found seasonal patterns in human hair cycling and shedding. Several studies have observed higher proportions of hairs in the resting or shedding phase during late summer and early fall, while some research has also identified a smaller spring pattern.
But seasonal patterns describe what has been observed across groups of people. They cannot tell us whether one person’s increased shedding is seasonal. If shedding is persistent, visibly reducing your density, or accompanied by scalp symptoms, another cause may be involved.
Why Am I Shedding More Hair in the Fall?
Fall is one of the times when increased shedding may become more noticeable. Research examining human hair cycles has found peaks in resting-phase hairs and shedding around late summer and early fall.
Changes in daylight and biological rhythms have been proposed as possible influences on these seasonal patterns, but researchers have not established one definitive cause. That is why an increase in shedding during September, October, or November should not automatically be assumed to be harmless seasonal shedding.
What About Spring Hair Shedding?
Some research has identified a smaller secondary seasonal peak during spring. That means some people may notice a temporary change in shedding during spring months, although the pattern is not experienced equally by everyone.
The Better Question to Ask
Instead of focusing only on the calendar, pay attention to how your shedding compares with what is normal for you. Is it beginning to settle, or are you seeing a widening part, reduced density, persistent scalp symptoms, or continued excessive shedding?
Seasonal Shedding or Something Else?
More hair fall does not always mean the same thing. Looking at the pattern, timing, density changes, scalp symptoms, and recent history can help determine what the appropriate next step may be.
Possible Seasonal Pattern
A diffuse increase in shedding without distinct patches or obvious density loss that gradually begins to settle may be consistent with temporary shedding.
Telogen Effluvium
Significant shedding can occur several months after illness, high fever, surgery, major stress, childbirth, rapid weight loss, or other changes affecting the body. These are among the many potential causes of increased hair shedding and hair loss.
Pattern Hair Loss
A gradually widening part, increasing scalp visibility, or loss of density may suggest a progressive hair loss
pattern rather than a temporary seasonal change.
Scalp-Related Concerns
Shedding accompanied by persistent itching, burning, flaking, irritation, excessive oil, or significant buildup deserves a closer look at possible scalp conditions.
Increased shedding does not always mean visible density is being lost. Changes in your part or increasing scalp visibility are worth paying attention to.
When Should You Take Hair Shedding More Seriously?
Some daily shedding is part of the normal hair cycle. What matters more is whether you are experiencing a noticeable change from your usual pattern and whether that change is affecting your density or scalp.
Changes in Density
Your part is widening, your ponytail feels smaller, or you are seeing more scalp than you did previously.
Shedding Isn’t Settling
The increased shedding continues rather than gradually returning toward what is normal for you.
Scalp Symptoms
Shedding occurs along with persistent itching or scalp discomfort,
burning, tenderness, redness, flaking, oil imbalance, or buildup.
Sudden or Patchy Loss
Smooth bald patches, rapid progression, scalp pain, inflammation, sores, or signs of scarring should be evaluated by a dermatologist or appropriate medical provider.
Not Sure Why You’re Shedding? Start With ScalpCheck®
At The Hair & Scalp Specialists in Fairview Park, ScalpCheck®
provides a closer look at your scalp and existing hair. We combine microscopic imaging with your shedding history, symptoms, hair-care routine, and recent changes to help determine an appropriate next step.
This approach is part of trichology—the study of hair and scalp concerns. If you’re specifically looking for local help, learn more about working with a trichologist in Cleveland.
Depending on what we find, the next step may include changes to your scalp-care routine, professional scalp treatments, at-home support, continued monitoring, or referral to a dermatologist or medical provider when medical evaluation is appropriate.
Seasonal Hair Shedding FAQ
Why am I shedding more hair in October?
Research has found seasonal changes in human hair cycling, including higher levels of resting or shedding-phase hairs around late summer and early fall. However, the month alone cannot tell you why you are shedding. Your overall pattern, recent history, scalp condition, and density changes also matter.
How can I tell seasonal shedding from telogen effluvium?
Timing and history can provide important clues. Telogen effluvium may occur several months after a physical or emotional stressor such as illness, surgery, childbirth, major stress, or significant weight loss. An evaluation may be appropriate when shedding is substantial, persistent, or affecting visible density.
Can seasonal hair shedding cause a widening part?
A noticeable widening part or increasing scalp visibility should not automatically be attributed to seasonal shedding. Those changes may indicate loss of density and are a reason to look more closely at what may be happening.
Does everyone experience seasonal hair shedding?
No. Research identifies seasonal patterns across groups, but that does not mean every person will notice increased shedding at the same time or to the same degree.
When should I have my scalp evaluated for shedding?
Consider an evaluation when your shedding represents a significant change from normal, does not begin to settle, is affecting visible density, or occurs with persistent scalp symptoms. Sudden bald patches, significant inflammation, scalp pain, sores, or signs of scarring should begin with a dermatologist or medical provider.
Not Sure If Your Shedding Is Seasonal?
You do not have to guess based on the season. If you are noticing a change in shedding, scalp comfort, or hair density, ScalpCheck® can give you a closer look at your hair and scalp and help identify the appropriate next step.
Hair loss can feel overwhelming, but the good news is that in many cases, it’s treatable—and sometimes reversible. Whether you’re dealing with sudden shedding or gradual thinning, understanding the root cause is the first step toward recovery.
At Jeffrey Paul’s Hair & Scalp Specialists, we help clients uncover what’s really going on with their hair and scalp so they can make confident, informed decisions. Here’s what you need to know.
Can a good night of sleep help prevent hair loss and ultimately create healthier hair?
The importance of sleep for our health cannot be overstated. In addition to improving our physical and mental health, a good night’s rest aids in enhancing our moods, creating a healthier heart, controlling weight, and strengthening our immune systems. Consistent sleep patterns can also make all the difference between having healthy hair or continuing to lose it.
Here are two main ways sleep directly affects our hair:
There has been an influx of hair loss after testing positive for Covid. We help answer the big question…
November through January, the United States had an incredible resurgence of Covid cases. Since then, there has been an increased awareness of individuals claiming that after testing positive for Covid, they see thinner hair, increased shedding, and a change in hair texture or feel. So is there a direct correlation between testing positive for Covid and experiencing hair loss?
The answer is not an easy one.
The direct answer is no. Hair loss has not been directly linked as a side effect of having Covid, nor has it been listed as a symptom of Covid. That said, experiencing hair loss after testing positive for Covid is happening, but not the way we think. It is not Covid that is causing hair loss, but rather the stress that Covid places on the body, in combination with the already increased levels of daily stress that everyone is currently facing. This is known as Telogen Effluvium.
Stress affects the body in many ways – One way is hair loss.
The holidays are a special time of year, but the stress they can add may increase hair shedding. Is this normal or a sign that points to more significant problems?
The holidays are fast approaching, and along with them come the joys of the season like glad tidings, great food, and time spent with family & friends. Unfortunately, one unforeseen effect of the holiday season is the added stress that they can cause, and for some individuals, this can lead to stress-related hair loss.
Stress can be one of the hairs’ biggest enemies. They explain that as our body reacts to stress, our adrenal glands produce cortisol, AKA “the stress hormone.” Individuals in a constant state of stress may have chronically elevated cortisol levels, leading to health issues like adrenal fatigue. A fatigued adrenal gland does not work as efficiently and can alter the production of other hormones, like DHT. Increased DHT levels directly affect hair follicles and their growth cycle, even leading to hair loss.
Summer is in full swing! That means beach, pool, and ocean visits. But what is all that sun, chlorine, and saltwater doing to your hair? In a word – Damage!
Everyone is always looking for that one product that can be used to make hair look and feel great. Does it really exist? The product that decreases static or frizzy hair. The product that can give more shine or enhance the color of the hair. The product that reduces or eliminates the nuisance of tangles in the hair. The product that does not weigh hair down but rather leaves hair feeling soft with great body. The product that helps to repair damaged feeling hair. If we could find that one product that does it all, that would be the product that would change our hair for good. Ultimately, you are looking for “liquid gold.”
Does Liquid Gold Exist?
That product – Liquid Gold – exists! The one product that, when used properly, will do all the things you have always wanted, including:
Decrease static and fizziness in hair
Reduce or eliminate the nuisance of tangles in the hair
Enhance shine and color of hair
Give hair body and soft feeling without adding weight to it
We can all agree that 2020 has been a crazy year! More and more individuals are complaining of an increase in hair loss and hair shedding. Due to the increased numbers of people being infected by Covid-19 and the addition of potential symptoms related to Covid-19, the question now becomes – “Does Covid-19 cause hair loss?”
The answer – no…but also Yes!
Huh?!? That doesn’t make much sense. So are you saying, “No, Covid-19 doesn’t cause hair loss, or yes, it does?
We are saying both. No, hair loss is not a direct symptom of Covid-19. However, over the last six months, we have seen a record number of job losses, increased medication usage, poor diets, and decreased physical activity, all of which have contributed to an unprecedented level of stress due to the onset of Covid-19. This increased level of stress from Covid-19 is now significantly contributing to individuals noticing increased shedding in the shower drain, bathroom floor, or brush.
To help you better understand how the increased levels of stress from Covid-19 affect our hair, we must first understand the basics of hair growth.
Conditioner is often seen as one of the most harmless products for hair. It is – unless it is used incorrectly. What if conditioner was the cause of your hair loss in both your growing hair and hair addition hair?
Properly using any product is key to achieving the desired results, but it is the incorrect use of a product that can have undesirable affects.
