Ever get completely freaked out by all of the hair in your drain at the end of a shower? Or how about the excessive amount of strands that are left in your brush each day? Here's the scoop on that will hopefully shed some light onto the subject of thinning hair.

Glamour magazine reports that about 43 million American women in their 20s and 30s suffer from substantial hair loss. Due to all of the over-processing, (i.e., coloring, ironing, straightening, blow drying), people are putting way too much stress on their strands.

Oh and extensions? Fuggetaboutit—those are the enemy if your hair is thinning. They can cause serious breakage at the roots where regrowth occurs.

The average person should lose about 100 strands of hair per day. Stress, going off of birth control, wearing tight ponytails and having a baby can all cause hair loss, as can poor nutrition. Since there is such a strong desire to be thin, many young women aren't eating a well-balanced diet. But don't panic. Here's what to do.

Remember that hair is fragile, so if you can, skip using hot tools. Only when necessary, dry hair on a warm setting and don't tug on your hair with a harsh brush. Eat more foods that contain iron, protein, zinc and biotin, and take the necessary measures to reduce your stress level.

If these tactics aren't helping, I suggest consulting a dermatologist. Ask for a hair and scalp analysis when you make your appointment. Also, please keep in mind that while thinning hair is not the end of the world, it could be a symptom of a more serious health condition. Please listen to your body and take care of your hair.

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