Hair loss: causes, tests and what actually helps

Each of us has more than 100,000 hairs. A hair lives for about five to seven years, falls out and is replaced by a new one, so losing a few dozen a day is normal. Sometimes far more fall out, and not without a reason.

Hair loss is frightening because we see it daily: on the brush, the pillow, the shower drain. The good news is that it is usually temporary. The key is to work out which type you have, because that decides whether you can wait or need to act.

How much hair loss is normal

Dermatologists consider 50 to 100 shed hairs a day normal. If you wash your hair every few days, you will see more on wash day: the shed hairs simply collected. That is not hair loss yet.

• hair comes out in clumps when you wash or brush;
• the parting widens or the scalp starts to show through;
• the hairline recedes at the temples and forehead;
• round bald patches appear;
• the scalp itches, burns or flakes.

Any of these is worth attention.

Why hair falls out: the main types

Doctors separate two things: shedding, when hair falls and grows back, and hair loss, when something stops it growing.

Type	What it looks like	Usual cause	Does it grow back?
Temporary shedding (telogen effluvium)	Even thinning all over, a lot of hair on the brush	Stress, illness with fever, surgery, childbirth, rapid weight loss	Yes, usually within 6–9 months
Hereditary thinning (androgenetic)	Women: a widening parting. Men: a receding hairline and thinning crown	Genes and hormones	Not on its own; treatment slows it and partly restores hair
Alopecia areata	Smooth round bald patches	The immune system attacks hair follicles	Often, but it can recur
Traction alopecia	Thinning at the forehead and temples	Tight ponytails, braids, extensions	Yes, if the pulling stops in time

Two notes. Temporary shedding does not start at once but two to three months after the trigger, so people often fail to connect the two: the illness was in winter, the shedding comes in spring. And too much of certain supplements, vitamin A and selenium in particular, can itself cause hair loss.

Hair loss in women

• After childbirth. Hair barely sheds during pregnancy, and a few months after the birth all the "saved" hair falls at once. It is temporary and needs no treatment.
• After dieting or illness. Strict diets, rapid weight loss and too little protein are among the most common causes in young women. We see it constantly at the model agency, which is why we do not recommend diets.
• Iron and thyroid. Heavy periods, a vegetarian diet without iron sources and thyroid disorders often show first in the hair.

Hereditary thinning in women starts later and moves more slowly than in men: the hairline stays, the parting widens. It is worth treating early, because keeping hair is easier than regrowing it.

Which tests to ask for

If shedding lasts longer than two or three months, start with your GP. They will look at the scalp, ask about recent illness, medicines, diet and stress, and order blood tests if needed. The usual ones:

• a full blood count and ferritin (iron stores);
• thyroid hormones;
• depending on the case, vitamin D, zinc and sex hormones.

If the tests are fine and the hair is still thinning, a dermatologist can examine the scalp with a dermatoscope and name the type.

What actually helps

• Temporary shedding: remove the cause and wait. A balanced diet with enough protein, sleep and less stress help hair grow back.
• Hereditary thinning: the best-studied treatment is minoxidil applied to the scalp. Results are judged after several months and fade if you stop. Doctors may prescribe other medicines for men.
• Alopecia areata: treatment is prescribed by a dermatologist.
• Traction alopecia: change the hairstyle. Tie hair more loosely and take breaks between extensions.

Low-level red light (LLLT) is also discussed in the medical literature: home light devices such as caps and combs are studied as an add-on for hereditary thinning. Our sister shop Mind University sells one of that kind: the Photon Therapy Cap is an LED light cap for cosmetic scalp and hair care at home. It is not a medicine and does not replace a doctor's advice.

Does hair loss shampoo work?

It is the most common question, and the answer disappoints: shampoo stays on the scalp for a few minutes, so it does not stop hereditary or hormonal hair loss. A good shampoo still helps in two cases. When the scalp is oily and flaking, a dandruff shampoo calms it. And when hair is breaking rather than falling, a mild shampoo and conditioner reduce breakage, so there seems to be more hair. A leave-on lotion or serum makes more sense than a shampoo, because the active ingredient stays on the skin. Just do not expect from cosmetics what medicines do.

Daily habits that protect hair

• Eat enough protein: hair is made of the protein keratin. Take supplements only when a deficiency has been found.
• Avoid strict diets and rapid weight loss.
• Do not rub wet hair with a towel or comb it with a fine comb.
• Use hot tools less, and heat protection first.
• Do not tie hair very tightly every day.
• Massage the scalp with your fingertips: it feels good and helps circulation, though massage alone does not regrow hair.

For models this matters more than for most: daily blow-drying, spray, tight styles and frequent colouring wear hair out. We talk about care between shoots in model training. If your hair has thinned and you want a cut that hides it, ask in an image consultation.

Home remedies, from oils to herbal rinses, are the most popular answer to hair loss. No studies show they stop it, but oils and masks can reduce breakage. Treat them as care, not as treatment.

Frequently asked questions

How much hair loss per day is normal?

Between 50 and 100 hairs. If you wash your hair less often, you will see more on wash day because shed hairs collect.

Does hair loss from stress grow back?

Yes. Shedding starts two to three months after severe stress, illness or surgery and usually ends within six to nine months once the cause has gone.

When does hair loss after pregnancy stop?

It usually begins a few months after the birth and settles by the child's first birthday. If it goes on longer, check your iron and thyroid.

Which vitamin deficiency causes hair loss?

Iron deficiency is found most often, vitamin D or zinc less so. Take supplements only once a deficiency is confirmed, because too much vitamin A or selenium can cause shedding.

Does hair loss shampoo work?

It does not stop hereditary or hormonal hair loss. It helps when shedding comes with dandruff or an oily scalp, and when hair is breaking.

When should you see a doctor?

If hair falls suddenly or in clumps, bald patches appear, the scalp itches or burns, or shedding lasts longer than three months.