Why Is My Hair Falling Out?

Noticing more hair coming out in the shower, stuck to your pillow, or in your hairbrush can get the alarm bells ringing, but a certain amount of hair dropping is completely normal. But how do you know if there is cause for concern, and what can you do about it? After you understand what’s normal hair behaviour, and what things can contribute to a losing of locks, it’s good to know a few things you can do to help rather than hinder your hair growth. Shall we?

Realistic Expectations

Humans tend to be very attached to their hair, so any sign that it’s changing or going away causes quite the kerfuffle. We’re surrounded by marketing messages, telling us what the hair beauty standards are (usually long, thick and luscious), all selling us products that promise to change our hair “for the better”, but these are often inflated and not even possible. For example, there are hair products ‘designed’ for thin hair or damaged hair, promising to make it thicker or bring it back to life. Unfortunately, thin hair can’t be made thicker, since hair thickness is determined by base follicle size, and damaged hair is simply just that, dead and damaged. This means there is only so much external products can really do.

As much as we’d like to believe we can make a change to our hair, genetics primarily determines its core traits, such as colour, texture, thickness, density, and even the likelihood of hair loss. Natural hair cycles, our scalp health, factors such as diet and lifestyle, as well as our hormonal system all play a role in the health of our hair. This is why it’s helpful to understand what DNA gave you and know what’s possible and what’s not for YOUR hair, as this could save you a lot of time, money and stress in the long run. And help you make the most of what you got.

Understanding Hair Cycles

Hair grows in cycles and losing between 50 and 100 hairs a day is part of that rhythm. That might seem like a lot, but we have about 100,000 hair follicles on our heads, so losing 0.001 each day isn’t a lot. Each strand goes through a predictable life cycle and understanding this can take some of the horror out of hair loss and help put it into perspective as shedding is often just hair doing exactly what it’s supposed to do.

Hair grows in three main stages: anagen, the active growth phase that lasts several years depending on genetics; catagen, a short transitional stage where growth slows; and telogen, the resting stage when hair naturally falls out to make way for new growth. Because each follicle operates independently, shedding is staggered and ongoing. Temporary spikes in shedding often happen when more hairs than usual enter the telogen phase simultaneously, sometimes triggered by stress, hormonal changes, or illness.

How Hormones Help Or Hinder Your Hair

Hormones play a big role in regulating the hair growth cycle, so when they shift, you can start to notice changes in your hair. Oestrogen helps keep hair in the growth (anagen) phase for longer, like during pregnancy. When oestrogen levels drop, more hairs can shift into the shedding (telogen) phase at the same time; this is called Telogen Effluvium (TE).

When those hairs are released, which often happens during washing or brushing, they can come out in handfuls. The result is often diffuse shedding rather than bald patches. While this type of hair loss can feel dramatic, it’s usually temporary as hormone levels stabilise. This commonly happens after pregnancy, during perimenopause and menopause and after stopping hormonal contraception.

It can also be triggered by physical or emotional stress, illness, infection, or surgery, significant weight loss or nutritional deficiency, as well as cancer treatments. This means that after a round of TE, you just have to wait for your hair to grow out again, which can sometimes feel like eternity. Could be the best time to rock that bob you’ve been thinking about.

1. Androgens – are hormones present in all genders, but higher sensitivity to them can affect hair follicles. DHT (dihydrotestosterone), a by-product of testosterone, can shrink follicles over time in genetically susceptible people. This is linked to female pattern hair thinning, male pattern hair loss and conditions like PCOS. Hair may become finer, grow more slowly, or thin around the temples or crown. This type of hair loss tends to be gradual rather than sudden. Insulin resistance can also influence androgen levels and disrupt hair growth. Elevated insulin can indirectly increase androgen activity, contributing to thinning hair on the scalp while sometimes increasing hair growth elsewhere.

2. Thyroid – helps regulate metabolism, including how quickly hair cells divide. Both hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) and hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid) can disrupt the hair cycle. Hair loss related to thyroid imbalance is usually diffused (all over the scalp), accompanied by other symptoms like fatigue, weight changes, or temperature sensitivity. When thyroid levels are corrected, hair growth often improves.

3. Cortisol – stress increases cortisol levels, which can push more hair follicles into the resting phase. Stress-related hair loss often appears 2–3 months after a stressful event as overall thinning rather than patches. Reducing ongoing stress and supporting overall health helps hair gradually return to its normal cycle.

Hormonal hair loss is often a sign of an internal shift rather than a scalp problem. Addressing the underlying hormonal change is key to long-term improvement. If shedding is sudden, severe, or ongoing, a healthcare professional can help identify whether hormones are playing a role and guide appropriate treatment.

Healthy Scalp = Healthy Hair

When the scalp becomes inflamed or irritated, the environment around the hair follicle changes in a way that can make hair shed more easily. Inflammation doesn’t usually destroy the follicle, but it can weaken the way the hair is anchored, meaning strands are released sooner than they should be because it affects blood flow around the follicle. When the scalp is irritated, the body prioritises calming the skin rather than supporting optimal hair growth.

Skin conditions such as seborrhoeic dermatitis, psoriasis, or eczema can further inflame the scalp. These conditions often come with flaking, itching, or soreness, but sometimes the inflammation is subtle and ongoing rather than obvious. Over time, this low-grade irritation can interfere with the hair growth cycle, nudging more follicles into the resting phase and increasing shedding. We recommend addressing scalp issues as soon as possible using gentle hair care products and a natural treatment cream like our Scalp Cream to get to the root of the issue. Get the healthiest hair care to support your hair growth goals and tackle any scalp issues that may arise, all while saving 10% in the process with our Scalp Repair Kit!

An irritated or inflamed scalp doesn’t mean permanent hair loss, but it does mean the scalp needs gentler care. Reducing irritation, supporting moisture balance, and avoiding harsh or reactive products can calm inflammation, strengthen the scalp barrier, and allow hair follicles to function within their natural cycle again. If hair is coming out in clumps or if it’s paired with other symptoms like fatigue, weight changes, or scalp pain, speak to a healthcare professional.