MUST READ: THE CAUSES OF HAIR LOSS AND THE TREATMENT FOR IT

Not everything you read about hair loss is true. Before you panic about a few lost strands, know the real facts......

HIGH TESTOSTERONE MAKES HAIR FALL OUT

Excess testosterone does not cause either sex to go bald—but testosterone does play a big role. The body converts testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT), and this process causes damage to the hair follicle, explains Dr. Mercurio. So those who convert testosterone to DHT most efficiently lose more hair than those whose bodies are less efficient. In that case, your doctor might prescribe an anti-androgen medication to block the effect the hormones have on the hair follicle, says Melissa Piliang, MD, a dermatologist at the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio.

BIRTH CONTROL PILLS CAUSE HAIR LOSS

"A number of androgen (male) hormones can interact with the hair follicle to make it thinner and finer," Dr. Piliang says. Some types of progesterone, a hormone commonly found in oral contraceptives, can act like androgens, Dr. Piliang says. Hair loss with the pill is more a problem, though, if you're using an older version of birth control. "The newer ones developed have fewer of those side effects and are really more anti-androgen," Dr. Piliang says. In fact, some doctors may prescribe birth control to help fight unwanted hair loss, Dr. Piliang says. Talk to your doctor to find the right version for you, especially if you have a family history of hair loss.

ALL HAIR LOSS IS PERMANENT

Some instances of shedding could just be temporary. Many women lose some hair after giving birth, for instance, as their hormones adjust back to their pre-pregnancy levels, Dr. Piliang says, but it regrows within several months. Many women also have diet issues that affect their hair. "Women more often than men have nutritional deficiencies in iron and zinc," Dr. Piliang says. Both are key nutrients for strong hair, so low levels could weaken your strands. You can fix that by increasing your intake of foods rich in those nutrients, like beans and oysters. You could also take supplements, but check with your doctor first to be safe. Best to avoid extreme eating plans too. Any restrictive diet can lead to hair shedding because you're losing out on essential nutrients, Dr. Piliang says.

you experience when you're prepping for a big presentation at work or in an argument with your spouse. When your body experiences something traumatic, like a major surgery or illness, it can disrupt the cycle of hair, shifting it prematurely into the shedding phase, Dr. Mercurio says. It's a condition called telogen effluvium, which can also be caused by childbirth, according to the American Hair Loss Association. Shedding usually subsides once the stressful event has passed. While some experts believe emotional stress such as the death of a loved one can cause hair loss, nothing has been proven definitively, Dr. Mercurio says.

ONLY OLDER WOMEN LOSE THEIR HAIR

It's possible for some women, especially those with a family history of hair loss, to see thinning start in their 20s or even earlier. "Female hair loss can start in the teens and gradually progress with age," Dr. Mercurio says. Hormone problems are one thing that could affect hair at a young age. "Women can get an imbalance of the male hormones that trigger hair shedding," Dr. Piliang says. The condition is called polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and can also cause irregular periods, excess body and facial hair, and increased acne. Hormones aren't the only culprit for early hair loss. "The things that I look for in young women are nutritional deficiencies, eating disorders, or really high stress," Dr. Piliang says.

HOW TO CURE HAIR LOSS....

BIOTIN CAN CURE HAIR LOSS

At the drugstore, you're sure to find supplements that claim to boost your hair and nails. Most of them contain biotin, which makes up the group of B complex vitamins. They play an essential part in maintaining healthy hair by helping with metabolism and converting food for energy production. While a biotin deficiency can trigger hair loss, a lack of it is pretty rare, according to the Mayo Clinic. "Biotin is only worth taking if you're having hair breakage problems," Dr. Mercurio says. Though it might help strengthen your hair, there's not strong evidence it can do much for hair loss caused by hormone problems or genetics. In that case, you'll likely need a stronger treatment from your doctor.