Improper care plays a very large role. Wearing a tight ponytail or braids pulls the hair and makes it fall out prematurely. If you think your hair is falling out and you keep checking to see, then you may also be pulling your hair out. Too much blow-drying or processing can also cause breakage and pull hair out prematurely. This includes coloring and relaxing. Highlighting is less problematic, since this usually doesn't affect the root of the hair or the scalp as much. It's best to do as little as possible to your hair..