Hair loss can feel incredibly personal, and it is not always easy to talk about. But you are far from alone. August is Hair Loss Awareness Month, giving us the chance to open up the conversation around shedding, thinning and changes in hair density without judgement.

Some daily shedding is normal, but seeing more hair in the shower, noticing a widening parting or feeling that your ponytail is thinner can understandably be worrying. Hair loss may be temporary, hereditary or linked to stress, hormones, nutrition, illness or lifestyle. Understanding the possible cause is the first step towards finding the right support.

What Are the Most Common Causes of Hair Loss?

There is no single cause of hair loss. Genetics is common, with male and female pattern hair loss often causing gradual thinning around the hairline, crown or parting.

Stress, illness, medication and hormonal changes can also interrupt the hair growth cycle. Pregnancy, postpartum shedding and menopause may affect density, while iron deficiency, rapid weight loss and restrictive diets can contribute. Tight ponytails, braids or extensions may also cause traction-related hair loss over time.

Why Is My Hair Falling Out? Female Hair Loss Causes

Hair loss in women can be linked to genetics, hormonal changes, pregnancy, postpartum shedding, menopause, stress, illness or nutritional deficiencies. Female pattern hair loss commonly appears as gradual thinning around the parting or crown rather than complete bald patches.

Sudden or persistent changes should be discussed with a GP, who can help investigate potential causes such as iron deficiency, thyroid problems or hormonal changes.

Why Is My Hair Falling Out? Male Hair Loss Causes

For men, one of the most common causes is hereditary male pattern hair loss, which typically causes a receding hairline or thinning around the crown. Stress, illness, medication, nutritional deficiencies and tight hairstyles can also contribute to shedding or thinning.

If hair loss develops suddenly, appears in patches or is accompanied by changes to the scalp, it is worth speaking to a GP.

How Much Hair Loss Is Normal?

It is considered normal to lose around 50 to 100 hairs a day, often without noticing. The amount you see may vary depending on hair length, washing frequency and styling habits.

What matters most is a change from what is normal for you. More hair in the shower or brush, a thinner ponytail, widening parting or increased scalp visibility can all point to excessive shedding.

Hair Shedding vs Hair Breakage

Shedding happens when a strand falls from the root. Breakage happens when it snaps through the lengths, leaving hair looking shorter, uneven or thinner through the ends.

What Are the Early Signs of Hair Loss?

You may notice:

• A widening parting or receding hairline

• Thinning around the crown

• A smaller-feeling ponytail

• Increased shedding or more visible scalp

• Bald or thinning patches

• Broken hairs around the hairline

Broken hairs may suggest damage or repeated tension rather than shedding from the root. Changes over several weeks or months are often more useful than focusing on one wash day.

Hair Loss Due to Stress: Can Stress Cause Hair Loss?

Emotional stress, illness, surgery and major lifestyle changes can sometimes trigger temporary shedding known as telogen effluvium. Stress hair loss may begin several months after the triggering event, so the connection is not always obvious.

Addressing the trigger can help, but ongoing or worrying hair loss should be discussed with a GP.

Will My Hair Grow Back?

Whether hair grows back depends on the cause. Temporary shedding linked to stress, illness or hormonal changes may improve once the trigger has passed, but regrowth takes time.

Fine, short hairs around the hairline or parting and a gradual reduction in shedding may be signs of new growth. Hereditary thinning is usually more gradual and may need ongoing management.

What Helps With Hair Loss?

The best approach depends on the cause. A GP, pharmacist or dermatologist can help identify whether thinning is hereditary or linked to illness, medication, hormones or a nutritional deficiency.

Topical minoxidil may help manage certain types of male and female pattern hair loss. Regaine offers minoxidil treatments for hereditary hair loss, although results vary and continued use may be needed. Always follow the instructions and ask a pharmacist if you are unsure whether it is suitable.

Gentle scalp care, lower heat and looser hairstyles can help protect fragile hair. Strengthening products may reduce breakage and create a fuller appearance, but cosmetic haircare cannot treat every underlying cause. Think of it as support for your hair, rather than a miracle fix.

What Is the Best Shampoo for Thinning Hair?

The best shampoo for thinning hair should cleanse without stripping the scalp or weighing down the roots. While shampoo cannot usually treat genetic, hormonal or autoimmune hair loss, the right formula can help fine or fragile hair look and feel stronger.

Look for lightweight volumising or strengthening shampoos that cleanse build-up, support fragile strands and add body without leaving fine hair feeling heavy. Pairing your shampoo with a suitable conditioner can also help reduce tangling and breakage through the lengths.

What Are the Best Products for Thinning Hair?

Choose products based on whether you want to manage hereditary loss, support the scalp, reduce breakage or create instant fullness.

Best for Hereditary Hair Loss

Regaine contains minoxidil, a topical treatment for hereditary male and female pattern hair loss. It does not work for everyone, so check that your chosen product is suitable.

Best for Strengthening Fragile Hair

Kérastase Genesis helps reinforce hair prone to falling through breakage, with shampoos, conditioners, masks and targeted treatments.

L’Oréal Paris Elvive Growth Booster Anti-Fall offers an accessible shampoo and conditioner routine designed to strengthen existing fibres and help reduce hair fall caused by breakage.

Best for Fuller-Looking Hair

Redken Acidic Grow Full supports lightweight density, while Living Proof Full Dry Volume & Texture Spray adds instant body and texture.

Best for Scalp Care

Living Proof Scalp Care Density Serum is a lightweight treatment designed to support visibly fuller, healthier-looking hair from the root. Nioxin Anti Hair-Loss Thickening Leave-In Hair Treatment Serum is another strengthening option.

Best for Reducing Breakage

Olaplex No.3 Plus Complete Repair Hair Treatment helps strengthen damaged hair before shampooing. OGX ProGrowth + Peptide also offers targeted scalp and leave-in care for stronger, fuller-looking strands.

How Should You Care for Thinning Hair?

A gentle routine can help protect fragile hair without making things feel overwhelming.

Step 1 - Cleanse Gently

Massage a lightweight shampoo into the scalp using your fingertips rather than scrubbing.

Step 2 - Condition the Lengths

Apply conditioner through the mid-lengths and ends, choosing a formula that detangles without weighing down the roots.

Step 3 - Add a Scalp Treatment

Apply a targeted serum directly to the scalp according to its instructions. Consistency matters more than using too much.

Step 4 - Protect Against Breakage

Use a strengthening leave-in and heat protection before styling.

Step 5 - Be Gentle

Avoid tight hairstyles, aggressive brushing and excessive heat. Looser styles and lower temperatures can make a real difference.

When Should You See a GP About Hair Loss?

Speak to a GP if hair loss begins suddenly, falls out in clumps or causes smooth bald patches. You should also seek advice if the scalp becomes painful, inflamed, itchy or scaly, or if shedding continues to worsen.

Hair loss alongside tiredness, unexplained weight changes or loss of the eyebrows and eyelashes may need further investigation. If it is affecting your confidence or emotional wellbeing, that matters too.

Hair Loss FAQs

What Vitamin Deficiency Causes Hair Loss?

Low iron or protein intake can contribute, while biotin deficiency may cause thinning but is uncommon. Speak to a healthcare professional before taking supplements.

What Causes Hair Loss in Women?

Female hair loss may be linked to genetics, hormonal changes, menopause, pregnancy, stress, illness or nutritional deficiencies. Female pattern hair loss commonly causes gradual thinning around the parting or crown.

Can Menopause Cause Hair Loss?

Yes. Hormonal changes during menopause can contribute to thinning, particularly around the parting and crown.

Is Postpartum Hair Loss Permanent?

Postpartum shedding is usually temporary and commonly improves as the hair growth cycle settles after birth.

What Are the Best Products for Postpartum Hair Loss?

Postpartum shedding is usually driven by hormonal changes, so haircare products cannot prevent or treat the underlying cause. However, gentle strengthening and volumising products can help minimise breakage and make hair feel fuller while the growth cycle settles.

Kérastase Genesis can help strengthen hair prone to breakage, while Redken Acidic Grow Full is designed to give fine or thinning hair a fuller appearance. If postpartum hair loss is severe, patchy or continues for longer than expected, speak to your GP.

How Long Does Hair Loss Last?

It depends on the cause. Temporary shedding caused by stress, illness or hormonal changes may gradually settle once the trigger has passed, although the hair growth cycle means improvements can take several months to become noticeable. Hereditary hair loss tends to be ongoing and may require longer-term management.

Does Rosemary Oil Help Hair Growth?

Rosemary oil for hair growth has become increasingly popular, but research is still limited and it should not replace professional advice or recognised treatments for hair loss.

If you want to include rosemary oil in your routine, choose a scalp product containing properly diluted rosemary oil rather than applying rosemary essential oil directly to the scalp. Stop using it if irritation occurs, and speak to a healthcare professional if you are experiencing significant or unexplained hair loss.

Does Biotin Help Hair Growth?

Biotin may help with a confirmed deficiency, but evidence is limited when levels are already adequate.

Does Creatine Cause Hair Loss?

Current evidence has not established that creatine directly causes hair loss.

Can Tight Hairstyles Cause Hair Loss?

Yes. Tight styles can repeatedly pull on the follicles and may lead to traction alopecia.

Does Washing Your Hair Every Day Cause Hair Loss?

Daily washing does not directly cause hair loss, although rough washing and detangling may contribute to breakage.

How Can I Stop My Hair From Falling Out?

There is no single way to stop hair loss because the right approach depends on the cause. A GP, pharmacist or dermatologist can help identify possible triggers, while gentle haircare, lower heat and looser hairstyles may help reduce avoidable breakage.

Understanding Your Hair Loss

Hair loss can have many causes, from temporary shedding linked to stress or hormones to hereditary thinning or an underlying health concern. Whatever you are experiencing, you are not being dramatic and you do not have to figure it out alone.

This guide is intended for general information and does not replace advice from a GP, pharmacist or dermatologist. Seek professional support if hair loss is sudden, persistent, patchy or accompanied by other symptoms.

Explore our collections of hair loss treatments, scalp care and strengthening products designed to support fuller, healthier-looking hair at every stage.