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Why's my hair falling out? Hair shedding versus hair loss explained
Written byH&B editorial team
Reviewed byHeeral Patel
You’re finding strands of hair everywhere... but is it normal? Find out whether it’s hair loss and how to help
Summary
1How does hair grow?
Over a hair’s ‘lifetime’, it goes through three stages: anagen (growth), catagen (transition) and telogen (rest)...
2Why does hair fall out?
Stress, hormones and diet are just some of the factors involved in healthy (or unhealthy) hair...
3Hair loss: what to do
There are certain things you can do if your hair loss is getting you down...
Noticed more hair in the shower drain lately?
It can be a shock, but you’re not alone. We all lose hair to some extent – but is it regular shedding or the beginning of hair loss?
Find out why you're shedding, when it’s time to do something and how to help...
The hair growth cycle
We have around 5 million hairs on our body at any time.1 And it’s designed to fall out!
Over a hair’s ‘lifetime’, it goes through three stages: anagen (growth), catagen (transition) and telogen (rest).1
Hair begins to grow during the anagen stage. The follicle (the bit that’s attached to your scalp) takes on its onion-like shape and ‘sprouts’ a hair fibre, which appears on the skin’s surface. The hair continues to grow and can do so for several years.1
The catagen stage is much shorter, only lasting a couple of weeks. The hair follicle begins to thin into a ‘club hair’ and the shaft may look thinner too.1
The hair follicle and shaft have stopped growing by the telogen stage and will eventually shed. About 10 to 15% of all our hairs are in this stage at any given time. Different hairs remain in this stage for different amounts of time: our eyelashes shed much faster than the hairs on our head, for example.1
When the hair sheds, a new follicle will begin to grow in its place and the cycle starts again.1
Why else does hair fall out?
If your hair’s falling out significantly more than usual, there’s probably a reason. See if any of the following sound familiar...
Stress-related shedding
Stress could be a reason you’re losing more hair than usual. It can trigger hormonal imbalances which lead to hair loss – this is called telogen effluvium.2
It can take a while for the thinning to show, so if you’ve noticed hair loss, it could be due to stress that happened up to six months ago.3
Usually, this is only temporary and managing your stress should help your hair grow back.3
Hormonal changes
We all experience hormonal changes throughout our life. Some of these are usual – like puberty, pregnancy or menopause – and others happen because of things like illness (i.e. thyroid conditions), medications or stress.4
Your hair should grow back normally once your hormones rebalance – for instance, once you’ve had your baby or you’re managing your health condition following your doctor’s advice.
Diet and nutrition
As well as giving you energy, plenty of vitamins are supporting your hair behind the scenes.
The main deficiencies that cause hair shedding are iron and biotin (vitamin B7).
Your hair needs sufficient blood flow to keep the follicle attached and iron is vital for healthy red blood cells.5 So when you’re low on iron, your body prioritises where to best use your blood cells... and your hair doesn’t always make the cut.
Biotin deficiency can also lead to thinning hair. But taking extra biotin if you’re not deficient won’t improve hair thickness.6
Seasonal hair loss
It’s also possible to lose hair according to the seasons.
Some scientists argue there’s an evolutionary purpose to this – just like animals shed their coats in the spring – but modern lifestyles can play a part too.
If you notice thinning hair in the winter, check for intense central heating, too-hot showers or very dry air. If summer’s your issue, blasting the air-con, sun exposure or excessive chlorine (hello, pool season) might play a part.
Again, see your doctor if it’s becoming an issue, but you can help soothe your scalp by drinking plenty of water, applying SPF to your parting, keeping showers short and lukewarm and using special products for the scalp.
Styling damage
Don’t panic, slickback fans – but super-tight hairstyles could play a part in hair loss.
This type’s called traction alopecia and is most common in styles that put constant stress on the hair follicles, like wearing really tight braids or ponytails every day.9
Excessive heat styling or bleach can also stress your hair out and may lead to thinning or shedding.
Giving your hair a break should help it get back to normal. Opt for looser styles, softer fabric hair ties, natural curls and fashionably grown-out roots!
But don’t worry – the occasional tight or straightened hairstyle shouldn't harm.
Hair shedding vs hair loss: when should I worry?
‘Hair shedding’ is just another word for your hair falling out and regrowing. It’s a totally natural part of the hair cycle and it's considered normal to lose up to 200 strands per day.1
But don’t start counting just yet! Even if you’re sick of finding your locks in weird places, you’re probably fine if there’s no visible thinning or patchiness in your hair.
It’s excessive hair shedding – without regrowth – that’s considered hair loss. Hair loss usually has a cause (like the dietary, stress or hormonal triggers we spoke about earlier) and it’s best to speak to a GP to sort it out.
You should also get medical guidance if your hair loss is very sudden or patchy, or if your hair gets thinner and thinner over the course of a few months. Any accompanied scalp pain, redness or itching means it’s time for a doctor’s visit too.
How to reduce hair shedding: top tips
Of course, the best way to reduce hair shedding is to find out the cause and work from there. Not sure? There are a few general lifestyle changes you can make, like:
- eating a balanced and varied diet, with plenty of nutrients
- managing your stress wherever possible – this could involve getting plenty of sleep, exercising regularly and considering activities like mindfulness or cognitive behavioural therapy if you think they’d help
- consider taking supplements, with your doctor’s advice, if you have a vitamin deficiency
- being gentle to your hair and avoiding harsh treatments or styling
When to explore hair loss treatments
Most hair loss doesn’t need treatment – it'll either grow back with lifestyle changes or medical recovery, or it’s part of normal ageing.4
However, there are certain things you can do if your hair loss is getting you down. Your doctor may prescribe you a drug called minoxidil, however this is not always free. They may also suggest creams, tablets or injections.4
Some people choose to join a support group or receive counselling if their hair loss is distressing, too.
The final say
Feeling a little more confident? Whether it’s just normal hair shedding or something more, we hope this helps you on your way to healthier hair.
And why not search for a little shine while you’re at it – discover our guide to our best hair oils or the best vitamins for your hair.
This article provides informational advice and is not a substitute for medical care. Curated by experts for accuracy, we take great care to ensure the information is up-to-date and relevant. However, you should always consult your GP or healthcare professional before using supplements or alternative products, particularly if you have medical conditions or are under supervision.
1. Hoover E, Alhajj M, Flores JL. Physiology, Hair. StatPearls [Internet]. 2023 Jul 30 [cited 2025 Jun 19]. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK499948/
2. Choi S et al. Corticosterone inhibits GAS6 to govern hair follicle stem-cell quiescence. Nature [Internet]. 2021 Mar 31 [cited 2025 Jun 19]; 592: 428-32. Available from: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-021-03417-2
3. Hughes EC, Syed HA, Saleh D. Telogen Effluvium. StatPearls [Internet]. 2024 May 1 [cited 2025 Jun 19]. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK430848/
4. NHS. Hair loss [Internet]. NHS [reviewed 2024 Jan 24; cited 2025 Jun 19]. Available from: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/hair-loss/
5. European Commission. Characteristics [Internet]. European Commission [cited 2025 Jun 19]. Available from: https://ec.europa.eu/food/food-feed-portal/screen/health-claims/eu-register/details/POL-HC-6392
6. National Institutes of Health (NIH). Biotin – Fact Sheet for Consumers [Internet]. NIH [reviewed 2021 Jan 15; cited 2025 Jun 19]. Available from: https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Biotin-Consumer/
7. European Commission. Characteristics [Internet]. European Commission [cited 2025 Jun 19]. Available from: https://ec.europa.eu/food/food-feed-portal/screen/health-claims/eu-register/details/POL-HC-6540
8. European Commission. Characteristics [Internet]. European Commission [cited 2025 Jun 19]. Available from: https://ec.europa.eu/food/food-feed-portal/screen/health-claims/eu-register/details/POL-HC-6461
9. Alopecia UK. Traction Alopecia [Internet]. Alopecia UK [cited 2025 Jun 19]. Available from: https://www.alopecia.org.uk/traction-alopecia-hair-loss
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