Nothing quite sends our worry sensors into overdrive more than running our hand through our hair and noticing a clump of loose strands. Sudden hair loss and thinning can cause anyone to panic, but as it turns out, hair loss is more common than we think. In fact, the American Hair Loss Association estimates that up to 40 percent of individuals who are struggling with hair loss are women. But before you fill your shopping carts with products, it’s important to first make sure you’re addressing the problem down to its roots.

What Causes Hair Loss and Thinning Hair

It’s natural for everyone to shed about 100 strands of hair each day, but Monica Davis, a professional hairstylist and founder of the MyStraightener blog, notes that if you’re suddenly noticing nests of hair in your shower drain or waking up to clumps of loose strands on your pillows, this may be because of the following:

• Hormonal imbalance – Childbirth, pregnancy, menopause and thyroid conditions send your hormones into a frenzy, which can cause hair loss and thinning.
• Stress – “Severe anxiety and other forms of stress often lead to excessive shedding,” says Davis. “Your psychological condition may lead to changes in your body and trigger hair loss as a consequence.”
• Medication – While side effects vary for every individual, Davis says many of her clients dealt with hair loss while taking prescription medications.
• Poor nutrition – Dieting and weight loss are some of the most common causes of hair fall, says Davis, especially if you’re not getting enough of the vitamins and nutrients that boost hair and scalp health.

As with most things, the first step in finding a solution to your hair and scalp problems is identifying the causes. If you suspect it’s a medical condition that’s causing your hair to fall out, it’s best to speak with a medical professional before trying out products to restore your hair’s volume and thickness.

How to Prevent Hair Loss

When it comes to preventing hair loss, good circulation is key. Massaging your scalp with essential oils at night will help boost moisture and blood flow. It’s also important to be mindful of your diet and ensure your body is getting all the nutrients it needs. Martino Cartier, a celebrity hairstylist in New Jersey, says,  “Make sure you keep up with vitamin D, folic acid and biotin. Those vitamins play a vital role in keeping your hair healthy and full,” adds Cartier.

You can also help minimize hair damage and breakage by going easy on your styling routine and allowing your hair to take a break from your usual perms, ironing, hot combs and tight hairstyles.

How Hair-Thickening Shampoos Can Help

Once you’ve addressed the underlying causes of your hair troubles, you can start adding products to your hair care routine to encourage growth and minimize hair fall. Cartier suggests using a volumizing shampoo as these contain ingredients that create “hold” to lift hair away from the head. Davis echoes this and adds that volumizing shampoos can help infuse collagen and protein into the hair, helping improve hair growth, luster and thickness.

Best Hair-Thickening Shampoos For Fuller-Looking Hair