Are things looking a little patchy? Don’t panic! (Yet.) These are the top five reasons for hair loss. And some of them you can fix.

You’re Being Rough on Your Tresses

If you’re quick to comb, fast with a hairbrush, and otherwise abusing your hair during your daily brushing, you’re going to start losing hair. The average person sheds 50-100 strands per day and that’s totally normal. But if you find your hair loss far outweighs that amount, you might need to take a closer look at your grooming habits. Make sure you remove tangles from the bottom of your hair up to the scalp, rather than brushing straight down. Avoid metal barrel brushes at all costs, especially during heat styling. Metal barrels might help dry hair faster, but they also damage fragile strands and can lead to breakage and hair loss. Invest in a quality boar bristle or mixed brush such as a Mason Pearson. Always use a wide-tooth comb or detangling brush on damp hair.

Blame in On Hormones

What do mood swings, food cravings and hair loss all have in common? Hormones! If your thyroid is off, you’re pregnant, or experiencing high levels of stress, you might experience hair loss. New moms are often shocked to see the amount of hair they lose post-partum.Rest assured losing mass amounts of hair after childbirth is compleltey normal. Your body is simply letting go of all the extra hair and hormones that might have been produced during your pregnancy. If you do not have a diagnosed medical condition and hair loss continues at an abnormal rate you should visit your physician for a thorough examination.

You’re a Curly Girl

Because curly hair is typically drier and more coarse than straight tresses, hair loss is much more common among woman with ringlets. Pay close attention to the products you’re using to tame your curls. Make sure you aren’t relying on too many alcohol based styling gels and by all means give your hair a break and wear it naturally every so often. (Believe us, everyone is jealous of your curls!)

You Overwash Your Hair

Are you one of those people that can’t go a day without washing your hair? Bad idea! Your hair needs the regular build up of natural scalp oil to keep it supple, shiny, and healthy. If you’re shampooing daily you’re stripping you hair of all it’s natural glory. Tough out the in-between days with braids, ponytails, barrettes, head scarfs, you get the idea. Learn to let a few days pass between cleansing and you’ll be rewarded with a bounty of beautiful and bouncy hair..

You Color Your Hair

What some women won’t do to have those blonde tresses! Sure you might be having more fun, but you’re also damaging your hair in the process. If you’re guilty of over-processing you’re likely experiencing hair loss as well. Take your stylist’s expert advice the next time you’re in the chair. If she recommends a less damaging approach then by all means consider her suggestion. Over-lapping, frequent color changes, and damaging chemical services could be the root of your hair loss.