One lesser known cause is your diet, which can accelerate the hair loss process.
According to Dr Sharon Wong, Consultant Dermatologist at London Bridge Hospital (part of HCA Healthcare UK), too few carbohydrates or the wrong type can spur on hair loss.
Speaking to Express.co.uk, Dr Wong said: “A vast amount of energy is required to keep up with the cell turnover of hair follicles.
“Carb free diets deplete the body of vital sources of energy and can lead to increased hair shedding.”
Conversely, noted Dr Wong, a diet that is rich in processed foods and refined carbs with high levels of simple sugars stimulates the body to produce more male hormones (androgens), which in turn can kick start the hair thinning and balding process.
Refined or simple carbohydrates include sugars and refined grains that have been stripped of all bran, fibre, and nutrients.
These include white bread, pizza dough, pasta, pastries, white flour, white rice, sweet desserts, and many breakfast cereals.
Complex carbohydrates, on the other hand, are higher in fibre, digested more slowly and create less of a sugar spike and should form the basis of the carbohydrate in our diet, said Dr Wong.
READ MORE: Hair loss treatment – the essential oil that could boost hair growth at home by five times
“These include Histidine, Isoleucine, Leucine, Lysine, Methionine, Phenylalanine, threonine, Tryptophan, Valine,” she said.
It is worth noting that Lysine also plays an important role in iron absorption, added Dr Wong.
These essential amino acids that comprise protein are naturally found in meat, eggs, tofu, soy, buckwheat, quinoa, and dairy.
Other tips to curb hair loss
According to the NHS, the main over-the-counter treatments are finasteride and minoxidil.