Why Your Hair May Be Thinning and What You Can Do About It

A MAN AND HIS MANE. IT’S A relationship that can involve an unreasonable amount of thought: how much of it you have, how to style it, whether it’s thinning and what you can do to keep it looking full. And increasingly, hair fall isn’t something men only have to worry about as they get older. Younger men are dealing with it too, with stress, lifestyle, styling and scalp health all playing a role.

As we head into the festive season, when we all want to look our shiniest best, it’s time to ask the pros the important questions. Why does hair fall? What does a healthy scalp actually need? And what can you do to keep your hair in the best condition? Aesthetic dermatologist Dr Geetika Mittal Gupta and Kavya Nair from Dyson weigh in.

Common Reasons Why Your Hair May Be Falling Out

Hair fall can be difficult to get ahead of, particularly when it starts young. As per Dr Gupta, it all stems from your lifestyle choices. “The reason for hair fall in young adults—20s to 30s—can be due to chronic stress, improper sleep, poor nutrition, smoking, alcohol consumption, crash dieting and sedentary lifestyle.” There’s also genetics, which is regarded as a strong predictor of male pattern hair loss.

One concern she sees frequently is that people think shampooing causes hair fall. But it’s how you shampoo that matters. “Young adults are not shampooing their hair properly and as a result, the root is not kept in a healthy environment, which leads to hair fall,” she says.

According to Dr Gupta, frequent use of harsh styling products and a lot of high heat, as well as leaving hair products on the scalp, can lead to build-up and, in turn, cause dandruff, hair fall and breakage.

However, Nair points out that air-drying can also contribute to hair breakage. “The longer hair stays wet, the longer it stays in this fragile condition, making it more susceptible to frizz, tangling and breakage” she says.

In some cases, however, it’s your scalp that’s causing the problem, and this might need medical attention. Conditions like seborrheic dermatitis, psoriasis, chronic dandruff, folliculitis and fungal infections can all lead to increased inflammation around the hair follicles, leading to hair fall if not treated properly. Autoimmune conditions like alopecia areata or scarring alopecia are also known to cause irreversible hair loss.

Hair Fall Problems: Understanding The Root Of The Cause

It’s one of the most common hair-related issues, yet so many men aren’t quite aware of it or understand it well. Your scalp is trying to talk to you: all that itchiness and irritation is essentially a sign you shouldn’t ignore. According to Dr Gupta, scalp sensitivity is often a result of a disrupted skin barrier. “Excessive heat, pollution, sweat accumulation, harsh shampoos or fragrance styling products can all lead to the disruption of the barrier,” she adds. Dandruff and eczema can also ruin the barrier,” she adds. Dandruff and eczema can also ruin the barrier and cause sensitivity.

So what products should you use if your scalp is sensitive or you’re dealing with a disrupted barrier? As Dr Gupta advises, gentle, sulphate-free cleansers are ideal. “Ingredients such as niacinamide, ceramide, panthenol, oat extracts or aloe vera soothe the barrier; if you have dandruff, look for actives which are going to treat it, like ketoconazole, zinc, pyrithione, selenium, sulphide, pyran lactone and olamine. And don’t use hot water to wash your hair either!” she adds.

The same caution applies to heat when it comes to styling your hair, especially if you’re dealing with scalp issues. “One of the biggest misconceptions in hair styling is that more heat equals better results,” says Nair. “From a hair science perspective, excessive temperatures can weaken keratin proteins, increase moisture loss and damage the cuticle over time, leading to dryness, breakage and frizz.”

Hair Fall Problems: The Prevention Plan

As men evolve, so do their hair, and the relationship they share with it. But the issues men face today aren’t necessarily the same as those their predecessors dealt with—or are they? “We are now seeing younger patients with early androgenic alopecia. Increased stress is causing hair shedding. Scalp sensitivity is there because they're using a lot of products. They are also getting into a lot of hair styling with chemical hair colours or chemical keratin treatments,” says Dr Gupta. The good news is that men are also becoming more proactive about their hair health. “More men are also seeking preventative treatments rather than waiting until significant hair loss develops, especially when they’re genetically prone to it.”

But for those of you who aren’t experiencing any obvious hair issues and want to keep it that way, a few simple habits can help. A golden rule to start with, says Nair, would be: “Hair is incredibly personal. Different hair types, lifestyles and styling goals require different solutions, which is why we don't believe in a one-size-fits-all approach!”

For Dr Gupta, prevention starts with maintaining a healthy scalp, using the right cleansing products and consuming adequate nutritious food. “Additionally, get your blood analysis done, and check your sleep and stress management because hair reflects your overall health.”

Lastly, if you do need some hair health-related advice, seek a professional instead of relying on Instagram for diagnosis. After all, catching a problem early is always better than waiting until it becomes harder to address.

To read more stories from Esquire India's September 2026 issue, pick up a copy of the magazine from your nearest newspaper stand or bookstore. Or click here to subscribe to the magazine.