Hair loss: the complete guide to causes and gentle hair care
Hair loss is almost always a symptom of something else—an imbalance in the body, scalp, or hair-care routine. Understanding the cause is the first step toward supporting a healthier scalp and reducing unnecessary hair breakage.
It is normal to lose 50–100 hairs per day. When shedding increases noticeably, the hair becomes thinner, or sparse patches appear, it is a sign that something is affecting the hair cycle. There are many possible causes, often working together, so it is important to identify the right one in order to take the right steps.
Common causes of hair loss
The hair cycle consists of three phases: growth (anagen), transition (catagen), and rest (telogen). When too many hairs enter the resting phase at the same time, shedding increases. The most common triggers are:
- Stress and exhaustion - cortisol directly affects the hair cycle and can trigger diffuse hair loss (telogen effluvium), which appears 2–4 months after the stressful period
- Hormonal changes - menopause, pregnancy, PCOS, and increased sensitivity to androgens can shrink the hair follicle and result in finer, thinner hair
- Nutritional deficiencies - deficiencies in iron, zinc, biotin, and vitamin D are common underlying causes, particularly among women
- Unsuitable hair-care products - harsh sulfates and irritating ingredients can irritate the scalp and weaken the hair’s attachment
- Mechanical stress - tightly tied-up hair, hair products, and excessive brushing can cause hair breakage and traction alopecia
- Medical conditions - alopecia areata, seborrheic dermatitis, hypothyroidism, and other systemic diseases can manifest as hair loss
Hair loss in women: hormones play a major role
The most common pattern in women is diffuse hair loss across the entire head, particularly at the crown. It is usually caused by androgen sensitivity in the hair follicle, hormonal changes associated with menopause, or iron deficiency. Unlike male hair loss, which often follows a distinct pattern, female hair loss is more evenly distributed and harder to detect early. Read more about alopecia and diffuse hair loss for a deeper overview of medical causes and symptoms.
When itching and hair loss are connected
An irritated or inflamed scalp negatively affects the hair follicle’s environment. Chronic itching, flaking, or redness are signs that the scalp environment is out of balance, which can directly weaken the hair’s attachment and increase shedding. Read more about the connection in our article on itchy scalp and hair loss.
What shampoo has to do with it
Harsh sulfates cleanse aggressively and can irritate the scalp, disrupt the balance of the microbiome, and increase inflammation around the hair follicle. A beneficial, sulfate-free shampoo reduces this strain and gives the scalp better conditions. Read our guide to hair loss and shampoo for practical advice, and learn how to choose the right shampoo for hair loss.
What you can do
There is no universal solution, but several measures support scalp health and reduce unnecessary hair breakage. Start by replacing irritating products with beneficial, sulfate-free cleansing. Massage your scalp during every wash to stimulate circulation. Avoid mechanical stress from tightly tied-up hair and coarse hair ties. Address nutritional deficiencies and have a doctor rule out medical causes if the shedding is significant.
FOAM’s Rice Serenity shampoo bar cleanses with a beneficial, sulfate-free coconut-derived surfactant without irritating the scalp. Free from paraffin, silicones, and synthetic fragrances. Learn more about scalp health and what affects it in our complete guide to the scalp.
The Editor's Note: Hair loss is rarely a problem you can solve with a single product. It requires a holistic approach: proper nutrition, minimal mechanical stress, and a scalp environment that supports the hair follicle. Start with the basics and give it time.
Hair loss: overview of causes and measures
| Cause | Common pattern | Measure |
|---|---|---|
| Stress | Diffuse shedding 2–4 months after a stressful period | Stress management, beneficial routine |
| Hormonal changes | Thinner hair at the crown | Medical assessment, sulfate-free cleansing |
| Nutritional deficiencies | Diffuse shedding, brittle hair | Blood test, dietary adjustments |
| Unsuitable products | Increased shedding during washing | Switch to sulfate-free shampoo |
| Mechanical stress | Hair breakage, sparse patches | Gentle hair ties, looser hairstyles |
| Alopecia areata | Round sparse patches | Dermatological assessment |
Explore further
Is your hair loss related to the scalp environment and itching? Read about itchy scalp and hair loss for an in-depth overview of the biological causes. Wondering whether your shampoo could play a role? The guide to shampoo for hair loss helps you choose the right one. Could the cause be medical, with alopecia as a possibility? Read our guide to alopecia and hair loss.
Important considerations when experiencing hair loss
The right shampoo can often help counteract or relieve hair loss, but if you experience more hair loss than is normal for you, it is also important to find out the cause and rule out illnesses in consultation with your doctor. Hair loss can be a symptom of many different medical problems that require medical treatment for you to feel well.