In others, hair loss may be a reaction to severe psychological stress. This can happen one to three months after a stressful situation. So if you’ve been under a lot of pressure lately, don’t be surprised if your hair falls out.

“Medical opinion on the role of emotional stress in baldness is mixed. If stress does play a role, however, it is only in times of extreme emotional trauma,” Larry Hanover said in FDA Consumer magazine.

If your baldness takes the form of hairless patches that resemble a coin or larger, you probably have alopecia areata. This is characterized by circular bald spots and affects around 2 percent of the population. Its cause is unknown and it can affect the entire scalp (alopecia totalis) or the entire body (alopecia universalis).

Fortunately, the hair loss associated with any of the above conditions is temporary and will resolve itself within a few months. If the problem is due to an underlying disorder, see a doctor for proper treatment.

If your hair loss is caused by certain medications, talk to your doctor so your medications can be changed. To avoid further problems, get plenty of exercise, learn to relax, eat a well-balanced diet, and avoid vitamin or herbal supplements. Above all, do not abuse your hair by taking care of it too much.

Here are other tips from the Mayo Clinic:

The way you wash, wash, or brush your hair can also affect it. Hair is brittle when wet. Be careful when towel drying and brushing after shampooing. The old rule of brushing your hair 100 times a day is a myth. In fact, it damages your hair.

Use a cream rinse or conditioner after shampooing to remove tangles and make hair more manageable.

If possible, let your hair air dry naturally. If you’re using a blower, make sure it’s on a low setting and leave your hair slightly damp.

Use a wide-toothed comb with soft tips to prevent hair from breaking.

Protecting your hair from the sun can also keep it healthy. Try to wear a hat or scarf, or stay in the shade. (Next: Causes of permanent baldness.)

Even if you don’t have hair, you can still look good with Lumnaderm, a whitening cream that eliminates freckles, unsightly age spots, sun spots, blemishes, and hyperpigmentation. When used as directed, Lumnaderm will even out uneven skin tones and brighten your skin.