Hair loss: what is normal, and when to act

Losing some hair every day is part of the hair's natural cycle. Here is how to tell normal shedding from loss that needs attention.

Each hair goes through a growth phase that lasts several years, a short transition, and a resting phase before it falls out and a new hair grows in its place. Because of this cycle, losing around 50 to 100 hairs a day is considered normal.

Common reasons for more shedding

Shedding often increases in autumn, after a high fever or illness, after childbirth, during periods of stress, or after strict dieting. This kind of loss usually appears two to three months after the trigger and settles on its own once the cause is gone.

Gradual thinning at the crown or temples, a widening parting, or patches of loss are different. These patterns can be hereditary or linked to an underlying condition, and are worth discussing with a dermatologist.

A routine that supports the hair

• Use a shampoo made for hair loss, and massage it into the scalp rather than the lengths.
• Apply a scalp serum directly where the hair is thinning, and massage for at least a minute.
• Be consistent. Hair grows slowly, so give any routine at least three months before judging it.
• Avoid tight hairstyles and very hot styling tools, which stress the follicle and the hair fibre.

When to see a doctor

See a dermatologist if hair falls out in clumps or patches, if the scalp is red, painful or scaly, or if shedding lasts more than three months. Iron deficiency and thyroid problems are common, treatable causes that only a blood test can confirm.

This guide is general information about cosmetic care and does not replace advice from a doctor or pharmacist.