Losing your hair is never trivial, especially when the shedding suddenly seems to intensify. In women, the phenomenon affects one in three at some point in their life, and the causes are often multiple rather than singular.
A Three-Phase Hair Cycle
Each hair follows a cycle: a growth phase (anagen, lasting several years), a short transition phase (catagen), and then a resting phase (telogen) that ends with the natural shedding of the hair. Normally, we lose between 50 and 100 hairs a day, which is invisible to the naked eye. The problem starts when this number climbs noticeably higher, or when regrowth can no longer keep up.
The Most Common Causes
- Deficiencies: iron, zinc, B vitamins, protein. Hair is a fast-renewing tissue, among the first to suffer from a nutritional deficit.
- Hormonal changes: postpartum, perimenopause, stopping contraception, thyroid imbalance.
- Stress and physical or emotional shocks, which can push a large number of follicles into the resting phase all at once (telogen effluvium).
- Androgenetic alopecia, which is more gradual, often marked by diffuse thinning at the crown rather than localised shedding.
- Repeated harsh treatments (heat, colouring, tight hairstyles) that weaken the hair shaft without necessarily affecting the follicle itself.
What to Do
The first step is to observe: is the shedding diffuse or localised, recent or ongoing for months, accompanied by other symptoms (fatigue, irregular periods, brittle hair)? These details already point you in the right direction. A few simple measures then help in most cases: a diet rich enough in protein and iron, targeted vitamin and mineral intake if diet alone isn't enough, a clean, well-stimulated scalp, and less mechanical and heat-related stress.
When to See a Doctor
Shedding that has lasted more than three months without improvement, or that comes with localised bald patches, significant itching, or general symptoms (extreme fatigue, cycle irregularities), deserves a medical opinion. A blood test can often identify an iron deficiency or a thyroid disorder — two very common causes that are easy to correct once identified.
To help pinpoint the cause of your hair loss, take our free hair diagnostic. If a nutritional deficiency is the cause, Vibrant Hair Vitamins provide targeted support at the root.
This article is provided for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for personalised medical advice. If in doubt, consult a doctor, dermatologist, or pharmacist.