7 Things About Hair Thinning a Dermatologist Says Most Women Don’t Know

If your hair has been shedding more than usual, feeling thinner, or just off lately, there’s probably a reason for it. On She’s So Lucky, host Les Alfred sits down with board-certified dermatologist Dr. Heather Woolery-Lloyd to break down the science behind hair health in a way that actually makes sense. Whether you’re postpartum, running on fumes, or just wondering why your part looks wider than it used to, here’s what she wants you to know.

The Real Reasons Your Hair Is Thinning, According to a Dermatologist

Stress-related hair thinning doesn’t show up until 3-6 months later

That random shedding that started out of nowhere? It might not be random at all. “You might have had general anesthesia six months ago and then three to six months later, notice increased shedding and you might not connect it,” Dr. Woolery-Lloyd explains. 

Surgery, a big move, a hospitalization, having a baby—your body registers all of it as a major stressful event and responds by pushing hair from its growth phase into a shedding phase. So, if your hair started acting different lately, think back a few months.

Your scalp has its own microbiome and it needs attention

You know how everyone is obsessed with gut health right now? Well, your scalp has its own microbiome too—and it’s just as important for your hair. “[The scalp] really is the foundation of our hair and a healthy scalp definitely contributes to having healthy hair,” Dr. Woolery-Lloyd explains. “And the opposite is true. If your scalp is unhealthy, that does affect the hair.” 

Signs your scalp microbiome might need some love: scaling, itching, or sensitivity that won’t quit.

You need to wash your hair at least once a week—even in protective styles

The “I just got my braids done so I’m not touching them for six weeks” era needs to end. “We don’t want to be going weeks and weeks and weeks without washing our hair because that does not contribute to a healthy scalp microbiome,” Dr. Woolery-Lloyd says. Even just cleansing your scalp with products designed for it between wash days makes a huge difference.

If a hairstyle hurts, it’s doing damage

We’ve all powered through that first night after a fresh install thinking the tightness will loosen up by morning. But if you literally can’t lay your head on a pillow, that’s not normal. “If you see little bumps around the hair follicles, not a good sign,” Dr. Woolery-Lloyd says. “Any hairstyle that induces pain is not a good hairstyle.”

Opt for low manipulation styles like twists, loose buns, or just letting your natural texture do its thing. Still cute, zero damage.

Your body will literally steal protein from your hair to feed other organs

Your hair needs protein to grow, but your body has priorities and your hair isn’t at the top of the list. “If your diet is low in protein…your body kind of funnels the protein that it’s getting to other organs,” Dr. Woolery-Lloyd explains. “We think our hair is important, but the body might not think it’s as important and it funnels all of those nutrients to the organs that it thinks is more important.” 

Low protein diet plus unexplained shedding? Probably connected.

Perimenopause can change your hair because of hormone shifts

When estrogen drops during perimenopause, androgens (male hormones) become relatively dominant, and those hormone receptors live on your scalp. “The most common complaint is thinning of the parts,” Dr. Woolery-Lloyd says. “My patients will say that the central part is getting wider or more see-through.”

If your part has been looking different lately and you’re in your 40s or approaching it, hormones might be exactly what’s behind it.

Don’t wait to see a dermatologist if something feels off

Dr. Woolery-Lloyd’s biggest piece of advice is to stop second-guessing yourself. “Don’t think, ‘I think my hair is thinning, but I’m not sure.’ Just go straight to the dermatologist because we do have a plan,” she says. “We’ll evaluate you…determine what the root cause of your hair thinning is, and come up with a plan.” 

A dermatologist does a full history, scalp exam, and even a hair pull test to figure out what’s going on. Waiting just gives the problem more time to progress.

Listen to the full episode on She’s So Lucky with Les Alfred, available wherever you listen to podcasts.

Read Next

• Emma Stone’s Hairstylist Says These Hair Rules Might Be Ruining Your Hair
• Is This Normal? The Hair Shedding Reality Check Every Woman Needs
• ‘Well with Arielle’ Breaks Down the Top Hormone Myths About Weight Gain, Hair Loss, Acne and More