Why hair falls out: what is normal and what is not

Daily shedding is normal

Hair grows in cycles. Every day, strands that reach the end of their cycle fall and are replaced. Most people lose dozens of hairs a day without noticing, especially when washing or brushing.

Common causes of thinning

Family history, hormonal change after childbirth, stress, an unbalanced diet, an oily scalp and repeated chemical treatments such as dye or rebonding are among the causes we hear about most at consultations. Often more than one factor is involved.

When to worry

Hair loss that is sudden, patchy, or comes with severe itching, redness, pain or other symptoms such as extreme tiredness should be checked by a doctor. That is not something to take to a salon first.

A practical first step

Photograph your crown and hairline under the same light every month. It helps you and a consultant see the real pattern, not just a feeling.

General information, not medical advice. A non-surgical cosmetic treatment; not diagnosis or treatment of disease.