Medication

If you're suddenly shedding more and your life or mood hasn't changed drastically, check any new meds you're taking. Progesterone, a hormone found in some forms of birth control, as well as vitamin A derivatives (synthetics such as acne Rx) can shut down follicles and trigger hair loss. Other possible culprits: depression meds and heartburn helpers. Other health issues could be to blame (a thyroid problem).

Hormones

High levels of estrogen bring fringe benefits: dewy skin and shiny hair. Estrogen works by blocking a by-product of testosterone (dihydrotestosterone) that may promote balding, says Futterweit, M.D., clinical professor of endocrinology at Mount Sinai. That's why hair is thickest in your 20s and 30s, when hormones are percolating. In these years (and during pregnancy), 70 to 90 percent of hair is in a growth phase; by your 40s, the proportion of hair in this cycle decreases by up to 30 percent.

Stress

Stress-hormone receptors exist in and around hair follicles, which means that besides wreaking havoc on mood, the fight-or-flight neurochemicals adrenaline and cortisol can also harm hair. "Stress can increase shedding, leading to thinning.   Releasing stress and tension usually revives follicles within about four months. To calm your mind and hair, carve out time daily to relax or relax in Kasia’s Infrared Sauna to sweat away toxicity, mind and body. It'll pay off in more ways than one!

Genetics

Yes, your DNA controls hair thickness, when you'll go gray and, possibly, vulnerability to pollution and stress.  Oxidative damage may cause graying by triggering a buildup of hydrogen peroxide in the follicle, blocking pigment formation

Nutrition

Pile your plate with foods that contain healthy-hair essentials. Protein is the building block of every strand (it makes up 95 percent of hair's weight); zinc (found in meats and nuts) bolsters natural oils that coat the hair shaft (for extra shine!); vitamin B derivatives (biotin, B6 and B12) promote new cell growth within the follicles. Most important is iron, which facilitates the activity of enzymes needed for hair growth.

Brittle Hair/Nails

Excess stress hormones and low thyroid hormones can contribute to brittle or thinning hair and nails. Improper absorption or breakdown of proteins in your digestive system means you do not have the raw materials to generate healthy hair and nails, causing lackluster locks. Liver toxicity can also affect hair and nail health, leading to dullness or brittleness.

Acne

Female hormone imbalances such as abnormal estrogen or progesterone levels can contribute to acne. In the digestive system, food sensitivities are implicated in skin conditions. An overworked liver cannot properly process toxins from poor diet, environmental exposure, or from the digestive tract, and this toxic build up can manifest as acne or skin rashes as toxins are excreted through the skin.