Article by Dr Manasa S, B.A.M.S

The story at my desk, a genuine concern!

“Doctor, he is just 25. Why is he losing so much hair, so early?’
A grandfather’s concern, A common modern struggle, A deeper look at early hair falls in young adults.

A Grandfather’s Concern Sparked This Reflection

A few days ago, after a hectic morning at the clinic, things finally slowed down. No fresh consultations. No follow-ups. I thought I’d use the time to catch up on a research article related to a recent case. My to-do list was already full — I had pending pieces to write for Easy Ayurveda, and clinic records waiting.

Just then, someone from the front desk gently knocked on my door.

“Ma’am, someone wants to talk to you. He says the consultation is not for him, but for someone else. They haven’t come along.”

I nodded.

“Please send him in.”

An elderly gentleman, around 70 years old, walked in. His face carried a quiet stress, the kind you can read between the lines. I offered him a chair.

“Sir, how can I help you?” I asked.

He hesitated, then said,

“I didn’t take an appointment. Sorry for that. I just… I wanted some help. It’s about my grandson.”

“Go ahead,” I encouraged.

“What’s bothering him? Let’s see how I can help.”

He spoke with honesty and concern.

“My grandson is 25. He works as a software engineer. He’s losing a lot of hair. At first, we thought it was stress. So, he started doing yoga, meditation, and pranayama to calm himself. We’ve also made changes at home — added dry fruits to his diet, stopped using refined oils, switched to cold-pressed oils. He eats clean, exercises regularly, rarely eats out, and avoids chemical shampoos.

Still, the hair fall continues. And now the family is worried. What if he loses too much before marriage? What if this affects his self-esteem?

The internet is flooded with advice, suggestions, and conflicting remedies. We’re overwhelmed, madam. That’s why I came here — not for a quick fix, but to understand what’s really happening.

Please tell us how we should think about this — as a family. What’s the right way to deal with this issue medically and holistically?

I know you’ll need to see him in person before recommending treatment. But today, I just want to understand — the why behind all this.

Will you explain, magale?” (Magale — Kannada word for daughter.)

I smiled.

“Yes, uncle. Let’s talk. Let me walk you through the truths, the myths, the possible causes — and most importantly, the hope.”

Understanding Hair Loss in Young Adults

Hair loss isn’t just a concern of the 40s or 50s. We are seeing it more frequently in young men and women — sometimes as early as their late teens or early twenties.

In men, it often starts as thinning near the temples or crown. For women, it could be general thinning or hair looking flat and lifeless.

Some of it is reversible. Some of it — especially the hormonal or genetic kind — needs a longer strategic approach.

Let me explain what I shared with the grandfather — and what I tell most families walking in with this concern.

What Causes Hair Fall at 25?

Here are the common contributors I explore during a consultation — in a way that’s practical and non-alarming:

Genetics + Hormones (Androgenetic Alopecia) – Hair loss that runs in families often shows up as male pattern baldness, triggered by a hormone called DHT.

Nutritional Gaps – Even clean eaters can have low levels of D3, B12, iron, zinc, biotin, or protein.

Stress & Sleep Debt – Yoga helps, but chronic mental load or poor sleep rhythms can affect hair regeneration.

Crash Diets / Over-Exercising – Unsupervised dieting or extreme workouts can stress the thyroid, gut, and hair follicles.

Poor Gut Health – Acidity, bloating, or irregular stools reduce nutrient absorption.

Harsh Hair Practices – Frequent rubbing, combing wet hair, chemical treatments, or hard water can weaken hair shafts.

Undiagnosed Thyroid or Autoimmune Conditions – Especially when hair fall is patchy or sudden, deeper issues need to be ruled out.

Related Reading

Prevent and stop hair loss in men under 25

When to worry about hair loss

Losing hair at 25? Here is what you can do about it

What Families Can Do?

–        Avoid panic — many cases are reversible with early care.

–        No shortcuts or miracle oils.

–        Support good meals, sleep hygiene, and routines.

–        Be gentle. Hair fall isn’t always due to personal mistakes.

What Does Modern Medicine Offer?

Investigations

–         Blood tests: Iron, B12, D3, TSH, zinc.

–         Hormonal panel if needed.

–         Scalp analysis, pull test, trichoscopy.

 Treatments

–        Minoxidil (topical) — improves blood flow, prolongs hair cycle.

–        Finasteride (oral) — blocks DHT. Needs close monitoring.

–        Supplements — based on deficiencies.

–        PRP — Platelet-rich plasma injections from a patient’s own blood.

–        Hair Transplant — considered last, only if the pattern stabilizes.

“These are tools,” I told him, “Not magic wands. They work better when lifestyle and nutrition are aligned and moreover the hair loss is viewed in a comprehensive manner”.

The ‘Ayurveda’ perspective

“Sir, now that we’ve looked at the ‘what’ and ‘why,’ I’ll take you through the Ayurvedic lens next — how we understand hair health through doshas, agni, and nourishment from within.”

Hair is upadhatu of asthi – Hair is a by-product / sub-tissue (Upadhatu) of Asthi Dhatu (Bone Tissue). In Ayurveda, kesha (hair) is closely connected to the strength of bones, metabolism of nutrients, and overall dhatu (tissue) health.

Low agni – low digestion strength is the main reason for malnutrition as per Ayurveda. Good digestion and metabolism strength ensures proper nourishment of all body tissues.

Dosha Involvement:

–        Pitta: Premature greying, thinning from heat.

–        Vata: Dryness, frizz, breakage.

–        Kapha: Oily scalp, blocked follicles, dandruff.

Other insights: Ajirna (indigestion), Rasa kshaya (nutrient deficiency) – impact scalp circulation and hair health.

Read more – Easy Ayurveda Article – Ayurveda Medicines, Diet for hair loss and hair growth

What Can Be Done?

Diet:

–        Include lentils, nuts, grilled paneer, tofu, or lean meat.

–        Use ghee moderately.

–        Avoid skipping meals.

Lifestyle:

–        Follow Dinacharya & Ratricharya as advocated by Ayurveda. 

–        Sleep by 10:30 pm, avoid screen overload, and eat a regular meal.

Beneficial Ayurvedic Herbs:

–        Ashwagandha, Amla, Bhringaraj, Punarnava, Guduchi (under physician guidance)

Hair Rituals:

–        Oil with Bhringamalakadi taila or Neelibhringadi.

–        Avoid hot water or harsh rubbing.

The ultimate weapons

Many times it needs a systemic deep cleansing to prevent or cure hair loss. Panchakarma provides this deep purification of not only the gut but also the tissues. They help in setting the right tone of metabolism. They detoxify the body, nurture the tissues, prevent recurrence of diseases and also bestow mind and sensual health.

Many times gastritis, GERD or any long standing stomach and intestinal upsets will lead to hair loss in young adults (may cause the same in any age group). Vamana or Vamana followed by Virechana will not only check the root stomach problems causing the hair loss but will also help in re-growth of hairs once the root cause has been terminated.

If it is long standing colon disorders or bone diseases or diseases of haemopoetic system causing hair loss, Virechana and Vasti used in combination will be a biphasic-attack at the root of pathogenesis.

Nasya is a ‘must inclusion’ therapy in hair loss.

Handy external therapies to strengthen hair roots

–        Shirodhara

–        Shiro Abhyanga

Final Words I Shared with the grandfather

He sat silently for a moment. The weight on his face had softened, but not completely vanished.

“Magale,” he said again, his voice steadier now, “We just want to help him before it gets worse. He’s a good boy. We want him to feel confident, happy.”

I looked at him — this grandfather who came not for medicine, but for understanding.

“Uncle,” I said, “You’ve come not a moment too late. Hair fall at 25 isn’t the end of the road. It’s the body’s early whisper — asking us to listen, not panic.

And when we listen — through science, through Ayurveda, through supportive habits and timely care — we don’t just save hair. We restore confidence. We rebuild balance. We remind young adults that they’re not alone.

Your grandson is lucky. Not just because help exists — but because someone like you walked in, asking the right questions, with love in your heart.

Let’s walk this journey together. Slowly, surely — with knowledge, not fear.”

He nodded, this time with a faint smile.

As he got up to leave, I gently added, – “Uncle, you’ve come all this way carrying so much care for your grandson. But please, take care of your health too. The world feels beautiful when people like you exist — those who walk the extra mile out of pure love.”

He smiled again, this time a little wider.

Sometimes healing begins not with a prescription — but with a conversation.