Understanding the Root Cause of Hair Loss: It’s Not Just Genetics

Hair Loss Recovery

Hair loss isn’t just about aging or “bad genes.” If you’ve been asking why hair loss happens, or wondering how hair loss occurs in the first place, you’re not alone. And you’re not without options.

As an acupuncturist and TCM practitioner, I’ve helped hundreds of patients recover from stress-driven fatigue, hormonal imbalances, and hair loss by restoring deep energy from the root.

Whether your hair is thinning slowly, shedding in clumps, or just doesn’t seem to grow like it used to, the truth is this: hair loss can be caused by a range of internal imbalances. From burnout-driven stress to hormone disruptions and nutritional deficiencies, hair loss is often your body’s early warning sign that something deeper needs attention.

Let’s unpack what’s actually going on beneath the surface, and why understanding the “why” is the first step to healing.

Why Hair Loss Happens: A Breakdown of the Root Causes

Hair follicles are dynamic, meaning they’re constantly cycling through growth, rest, and shedding. Disrupt that cycle, and you get hair loss. Here’s how:

1. Chronic Stress and Burnout

Burnout isn’t just an emotional state — it has physical consequences. Stress floods the body with cortisol, a hormone that can prematurely push hair follicles into the shedding phase. Over time, this can lead to a pattern known as telogen effluvium — one of the most common stress-related hair loss types.

Hair loss can be a symptom of adrenal fatigue and nervous system dysregulation. If your body is stuck in fight-or-flight, it’s not prioritizing hair growth.

2. Hormonal Imbalances

Hormones like thyroid, estrogen, testosterone, and cortisol all play critical roles in regulating the hair cycle. Imbalances can shrink follicles, stall new growth, or trigger autoimmune activity in the scalp.

• Androgenetic alopecia, the most common form of hair loss, is hormonally driven and often worsened by stress and inflammation.
• Postpartum hair loss, PCOS-related thinning, or menopause-related shedding are also hormone-linked examples.

3. Genetics

Yes, hair loss can be caused by your DNA. But it’s not the full story. Genetics determine your sensitivity to hormones like DHT, but your lifestyle, stress load, and nutrition can influence how those genes express themselves.

A great review of this was published in J Prev Med Hyg, highlighting the genetic and nutritional influences on hair loss. The study also points to the growing role of dietary patterns like the Mediterranean Diet in prevention and treatment.

4. Nutritional Deficiencies

Your hair needs fuel to grow. Key vitamins and minerals like iron, zinc, vitamin D, and B12 are essential for follicle health and cell regeneration. Even mild deficiencies can result in thinning, shedding, or dull, lifeless hair.

Common culprits include:

• Iron deficiency: especially common in women with heavy periods or plant-based diets
• Low vitamin D: linked to autoimmune alopecia and poor follicle signaling
• Zinc & B vitamins: necessary for cellular repair and protein synthesis

Important note: Over-supplementation can also backfire. More isn’t always better. Balance is key.

How Hair Loss Happens: The Disrupted Cycle

Your hair goes through four phases:

1. Anagen (growth)
2. Catagen (transition)
3. Telogen (resting)
4. Exogen (shedding)

How hair loss occurs depends on what interrupts that cycle. For example:

• Stress or illness can push follicles from anagen directly into telogen (aka telogen effluvium)
• Hormonal shifts can miniaturize follicles over time (androgenetic alopecia)
• Nutrient deficits stall the growth phase, slowing regrowth or causing weak strands

In other words, hair loss can be a symptom of much deeper dysfunction, whether that’s burnout, autoimmunity, or malnutrition.

Hair Loss Can Be Caused By Burnout, And That’s Treatable

In my clinical practice, I work with many clients who are deeply fatigued, foggy, and shedding hair, and wondering why nothing seems to help. Often, they’ve tried everything from shampoos to supplements, but haven’t addressed the internal root causes.

When burnout depletes your deeper reserves, it affects everything: hormones, digestion, sleep, and yes, your hair.

Address the Root, Not Just the Symptoms

If you’re dealing with unexplained shedding or chronic thinning, don’t stop at surface-level solutions. Ask the deeper questions:

• Is my stress under control?
• Are my hormones balanced?
• Is my diet supporting hair health?
• Am I actually absorbing the nutrients I need?

When you address the why, the results go far beyond your scalp.

Want to rebuild your energy and support healthy hair from the inside out?
My TCM Burnout Recovery Guide helps you restore deep vitality, so your body (and hair) can finally thrive again.