A number of factors can increase your risk of hair loss, including:
• A family history of balding on your mother's or father's side
• Age
• Significant weight loss
• Certain medical conditions, such as diabetes and lupus
• Stress
• Poor nutrition
Prevention:
Most baldness is caused by genetics (male-pattern baldness and female-pattern baldness). This type of hair loss is not preventable.
These tips may help you avoid preventable types of hair loss:
• Be gentle with your hair. Use a detangler and avoid tugging when brushing and combing, especially when your hair is wet. A wide-toothed comb might help prevent pulling out hair. Avoid harsh treatments such as hot rollers, curling irons, hot-oil treatments and permanents. Limit the tension on hair from styles that use rubber bands, barrettes and braids.
• Ask your doctor about medications and supplements you take that might cause hair loss.
• Protect your hair from sunlight and other sources of ultraviolet light.
• Stop smoking. Some studies show an association between smoking and baldness in men.
• If you're being treated with chemotherapy, ask your doctor about a cooling cap. This cap can reduce your risk of losing hair during chemotherapy.
Courtesy: Mayo Clinic