“My hair is falling” can describe at least three different problems, and each one needs a different response. Before you buy anything, it helps to work out which of them you have.
Shedding, breakage or thinning?
Shedding is when a whole hair comes out from the root. Look closely and you may see a tiny pale bulb at one end. Some shedding is part of the normal hair cycle.
Breakage is when a strand snaps partway along. The pieces are often short and have no bulb. Bleach, frequent heat styling, rough combing and tight hairstyles are common causes. Rough handling on hard water can make it worse.
Thinning is a gradual change you see over months: a wider parting, a receding hairline, or more scalp visible at the crown. You may not notice any dramatic fall at all.
Many people notice more hair on the bathroom floor during the monsoon or at the change of season. Some seasonal variation in shedding is possible, but it should be mild and shouldn’t leave visible thin areas.
What might be behind it
This table is a way to prepare for a doctor’s visit and is not a way to diagnose yourself. More than one cause can be present at the same time.
| What you notice | One possible explanation | Sensible next step |
|---|---|---|
| Diffuse shedding two to three months after a fever, surgery, childbirth or major stress | Temporary shedding, known as telogen effluvium | Doctor’s check if it is heavy or lasts beyond a few months |
| All-over thinning with tiredness | Low iron, thyroid problems or low vitamin B12 | Doctor’s check and blood tests |
| Thinning after crash dieting | Too little protein or too few calories | Eat regular, balanced meals and get medical or dietitian advice |
| Thinning at the temples or crown in men, or a widening parting in women | Pattern hair loss, which is often inherited | Dermatologist, as it responds better when addressed early |
| Thinning with irregular periods, acne or new facial hair | Hormonal issues such as PCOS | Doctor or gynaecologist |
| Smooth, round bald patches | Alopecia areata, an immune-related condition | Dermatologist |
| Patches with scaling, redness or broken hairs | Possible scalp infection | Doctor promptly, especially for children |
| Loss along the hairline where hair is pulled | Traction from tight styles | Loosen styles and see a dermatologist if it persists |
| Shedding after starting a new medicine | Possible side effect | Ask your doctor, and don’t stop the medicine on your own |
What may help at home
These won’t reverse a medical cause, but they are low-risk and can reduce avoidable loss.
Eat enough, and eat protein. Hair is mostly protein, and the body tends to deprioritise it when food is short. Vegetarians should plan for dal, paneer, curd, soya, nuts and similar foods across the day, not just one serving.
Loosen up. Tight buns, ponytails and braids, particularly on wet hair or overnight, pull on the follicles. Vary your parting and hairstyle.
Handle wet hair gently. Wet hair is more fragile. Blot with a towel, use a wide-toothed comb, and start detangling at the ends.
Reduce heat and chemical services. Space out straightening, bleaching and colouring, and use the lowest heat setting that does the job.
Look after your scalp. Persistent flaking and itching are worth dealing with, so read our dandruff guide if that sounds familiar.
What to be wary of
- Hair oils sold as regrowth treatments. Oil can protect and soften lengths, but as we explain in our hair oiling guide, it isn’t a dependable fix for hair loss.
- Supplements taken “just in case”. Too much iron can be harmful, and excess vitamin A and selenium have themselves been linked to hair loss. Get tested before you supplement.
- Prescription-strength products from online forums. Hair loss medicines can have side effects and aren’t suitable for everyone, so they should be chosen with a doctor.
- Expensive clinic packages sold on your first visit. Ask what the diagnosis is, what results are realistic, and what the evidence is for the procedure before you pay.
- Changing shampoo repeatedly. Shampoo stays on your scalp for a very short time. Changing it rarely alters true hair loss, though a gentler one can reduce breakage.
When to see a doctor
Book an appointment if any of these apply:
- hair is coming out suddenly or in large amounts
- you can see bald patches or a clearly wider parting
- your scalp is red, painful, scaly, oozing or burning
- you also have tiredness, weight changes, feeling unusually cold, irregular periods or new facial hair
- a child is losing hair
- the shedding has lasted more than a few months
Sudden hair loss may have medical causes such as thyroid problems, low iron or hormonal issues, and a doctor can arrange the right tests. It helps to bring a list of recent illnesses, diet changes and medicines, plus phone photos of your parting taken a few weeks apart.
If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or planning a pregnancy, ask your doctor before starting any hair loss product or supplement. Shedding in the months after childbirth is common and often settles, but mention it if it seems severe or doesn’t ease.
Bottom line
Work out whether you are seeing shedding, breakage or thinning. Handle your hair gently, eat properly and be sceptical of miracle products. Get medical advice early for sudden, patchy or persistent loss, because many causes can be identified with a proper check-up, and some treatments work best when started early.
Frequently asked questions
How much hair fall is normal in a day?
Dermatology guidance commonly quotes around 50 to 100 hairs a day as normal shedding. You don't need to count. It is more useful to notice a clear change, such as a much thinner ponytail, a wider parting or handfuls coming out in the shower.
Should I take biotin for hair fall?
Biotin is unlikely to help unless you are actually deficient, and that is uncommon. High-dose biotin can also interfere with some blood tests, including thyroid tests, so tell your doctor if you take it.
Can stress cause hair fall?
Yes, it may. A major physical or emotional stress, such as a high fever, surgery or childbirth, can push many hairs into the shedding phase. The extra shedding often appears two to three months later and usually settles with time, but a doctor can confirm whether that is what is going on.
Will my hair grow back?
It depends on the cause. Shedding after an illness often recovers. Pattern hair loss tends to progress slowly without treatment, and scarring conditions can cause permanent loss, which is why early medical advice is worthwhile.
