What causes severe hair loss?

Both men and women aspire to have lustrous, jet-black hair. However, many people today suffer from excessive hair shedding—and some even face the risk of significant hair loss or baldness. So, what causes severe hair shedding?

What Causes Severe Hair Shedding?

Severe hair shedding may result from seborrheic dermatitis, hormonal imbalances, chronic sleep deprivation, or deficiencies in qi (vital energy) and blood. Using anti-hair-loss shampoos and regularly massaging the scalp can help alleviate symptoms. If seborrheic dermatitis is present, topical medications may be prescribed. Additionally, maintaining regular daily routines is essential. For cases involving qi and blood deficiency, dietary adjustments or pharmacological treatment may be recommended.

First and foremost, maintain an optimistic mindset—don’t overreact to hair shedding, as emotional stress can exacerbate the problem. Each night before bed and each morning upon waking, gently massage your scalp with your fingertips: begin at the forehead, move across the crown to the occiput, for 2–4 minutes per session, performing 30–40 back-and-forth strokes per minute. Gradually increase the duration to 5–10 minutes per session. Hair shedding is closely linked to nutritional status and also strongly influenced by mental stress or sudden emotional shocks; therefore, testing for trace elements in the blood may be advisable. Regularly rubbing ginger on affected areas may stimulate hair regrowth. Incorporating more hard-shelled foods and black sesame seeds into your diet is also beneficial.

The above outlines potential causes of severe hair shedding. We hope this information proves helpful to you.