Stress or genetics? The real cause of your hair fall revealed

Take a good look in the mirror. Where is the hair actually disappearing from?

If it’s genetic, it follows a strict set of rules. For men, it almost always starts at the temples, pushing back to create a distinct “M” shape, while the crown of the head starts to empty out. Women usually keep their frontal hairline completely intact. Instead, they’ll notice a general thinning all over and a noticeable widening of their natural hair part.

If your hair loss isn’t genetic, the pattern is entirely random. You’ll likely experience diffuse thinning, meaning the hair is falling out evenly from all over your scalp. Or, you might find smooth, completely bald patches the size of a coin, which is a hallmark of an autoimmune condition called alopecia areata.