The most common form of hair loss is androgenic alopecia, or male/female pattern baldness. This hair loss is caused by a hormone called DHT (dihydrotestosterone).

However, hair loss can be caused by many other factors. Here is a list of the top 10 other causes of hair loss besides genetics.

1. Extreme Stress Levels

This can be caused by physical stress such as an accident or major surgery or illness. It can also be caused by emotional stress like a divorce, the death of a close family member, financial hardships, or anything that can cause a very deep emotional or physical strain on the body.

2. Wet Combing

If you comb your hair while it is still wet, you can be doing damage to it. Your hair is more likely to be affected by breakage when it is wet because that is when your hair has the least amount of friction. It is therefore more likely to tangle up and then snap or break. Using a high quality conditioner will help to combat this, and it is a good idea to use your fingers to untangle areas.

3. Hot Tools

Blow drying or straightening your hair using that extremely hot blow dryer and flat iron is a great way to style your hair, but it isn’t helping the strength of your hair. The extreme heat from these tools removes the proteins that make up your hair and the protective shell that they are in. Using a specially formulated heat protectant that you can purchase from most salons will help protect your hair from breakage and also restore and improve shine.

4. Chemical Straightening

The mixture of the harsh chemicals and the intense heat of a flat iron can be very damaging to your hair if not done properly or if overdone.

5. Tight Braids

Constantly wearing tight braids or anything that puts pressure on the follicle itself can be very damaging to your hair and will eventually cause hair loss, which is called traction alopecia. This type of hair loss is often seen in certain ethnic groups who typically use tight braids to style their hair. If possible, avoid any hairstyle that actually ends up causing your scalp to hurt. This is a sure sign that damage is being done.

6. Oral Contraceptives

Birth control pills affect most women in a different way based on hormones. If you are already sensitive to telogen effluvium, a temporary hair loss caused by hormone changes, then you should be aware of what type of birth control you are taking. If your prescription contains androgens, it is wise to let your doctor know of this androgen sensitivity. If you suffer hair loss after starting a certain birth control, stop and notify your doctor so that a new form of birth control can be prescribed.

7. Crash Diets/Poor Nutrition

This is just an overall cause of poor health throughout your entire body. Hair loss is no exception to poor health.

8. Medications

Certain medications can affect hair loss. Make sure that you let a hair restoration specialist know which medications you are on so that a thorough assessment can be made.

9. Scratching Your Head

Certain skin conditions can cause the scalp to become itchy. It is important to treat these conditions as soon as possible. Excessive scratching can and will cause hair loss.

10. UV

Too much sunlight can actually do harm to your hair. If you are planning on being outside in the sun, it is important to wear a hat.