11 March 2026 · By Alicia Backhouse

Why is my hair falling out? Common hair loss causes

If you’re experiencing hair loss, you’re not alone. Many people face this common concern, but you can take action. Understanding the root cause may be the first step towards regaining hair confidence, but supercharged beauty-tech might just be the solution—enter red light therapy for hair loss.

What causes hair loss in men and women

Genetics

Genes determine your sensitivity to a hormone called dihydrotestosterone (DHT), the leading cause of hair loss in both men and women. It causes follicles to shrink and hair to become finer and shorter with each growth cycle.

Hormonal changes

Hormones influence the body’s sensitivity to DHT. For women, pregnancy and menopause can cause hormones to fall out of balance, while thyroid issues can disrupt the hormones that regulate the hair growth cycle.

Diet and nutrition

As follicles need fueling with a steady supply of nutrients to function properly, nutritional deficiencies can cause hair shedding. A calorie-restricted diet can also lead to hair loss as energy is diverted away from the scalp to prioritise essential bodily functions.

Lifestyle factors

Sleep quality, stress and illness all influence the body’s ability to properly nourish hair follicles. While restorative sleep puts the body into a state of repair, producing hormones essential for hair growth, a lack of sleep is known to increase cortisol levels, disrupting the growth cycle, added to by stress.

Hair care habits

Use of bleach, hair dye and heat styling tools can all lead to hair breakage and the appearance of thinning. Tight hairstyles and accessories can also damage follicles over time, causing hair loss. 

How red light therapy can help hair loss

Woman holding an LED red light therapy helmet for hair loss

Red light therapy is safe and non-invasive targeting hair loss at a cellular level, boosting hair growth and density by:

Energising cells

Red light wavelengths increase the production of ATP (the energy currency of cells). This extra energy helps cells to function more efficiently, boosting growth and reactivating follicles in the resting phase.

Extending the hair growth cycle

This added cell energy also helps to keep hair follicles in the growth phase for longer, preventing the follicle from entering the resting and shedding phases.

Boosting circulation

The energy from red light therapy improves blood flow, supplying follicles with oxygen and essential nutrients and removing toxins. This supports overall scalp health and provides follicles with the building blocks needed for healthy growth.

A science-backed at-home solution, the CurrentBody Skin LED Hair Growth Helmet uses a spectrum of red light (620-660nm) to improve scalp condition and hair quality, for a calmer, healthier scalp and thicker, stronger hair. 

When to see a specialist if your hair is falling out

If you notice sudden, severe, or patchy hair loss, it’s best to consult a healthcare professional for advice. Helping to determine and address any underlying causes or alleviate strand-related stress, specialist advice can be an important step in your regrowth journey.

Regain healthy hair with knowledge and technology

Combining some simple lifestyle changes with LED technology can help restore the locks you’ve been longing for—invest in the power of LED therapy and grow hair confidence one session at a time.

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Alicia Backhouse Beauty Editor

Alicia is a beauty content specialist based in Manchester with over 5 years of experience in the beauty industry. Having worked with various cult skincare and haircare brands, Alicia now works in-house at CurrentBody Skin, calling on her own experiences with problem skin and industry expertise to inform her writing and express her passion for beauty technology.

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