Shedding hair is normal and part of the healthy hair growth cycle. Most people lose between 50 and 100 hairs every day with no significant impact on their overall hair density [1]. But when you start to see more hair falling out than usual, it can ring alarm bells.
It’s not always easy to establish why your hair is falling out, as there are many factors involved, from genetics to stress to hormones. Here, you’ll find out all the possible causes of hair loss and how to get an accurate diagnosis from a trusted hair loss specialist.
In this guide, you’ll learn why your hair may be falling out, how to distinguish normal shedding from true hair loss, and what different symptoms can reveal about the underlying cause. You’ll also discover when to seek professional help, how hair loss diagnosis works, and which treatments may be most effective.
Key takeaways
Hair loss is different from normal shedding. Signs of true hair loss include increased hairfall in the shower, visible thinning, bald patches, a receding hairline, and crown thinning.
The most common causes of hair loss are genetics and hormones, but stress, medical conditions, nutritional deficiencies, damaging hairstyles, and physical trauma can also contribute.
Different causes create different patterns of hair loss, such as receding hairlines in male pattern baldness, diffuse thinning in telogen effluvium, or patchy bald spots in alopecia areata.
Some forms of hair loss are temporary and may resolve naturally, while others require treatment.
Professional diagnosis is crucial because many forms of hair loss share similar symptoms. The Wimpole Clinic’s experienced trichology team uses medical history reviews, scalp assessments, and diagnostic testing to accurately identify the underlying cause and recommend the most effective treatment plan.
First, you need to establish if you’re seeing true hair loss or normal levels of shedding. While it can be hard to tell if your hair is thinning or if you’re just paranoid, these symptoms can indicate true hair loss:
If you think your hair really is falling out, discover the potential causes of hair loss below.
The table below shows all the major causes of hair loss, alongside the symptoms that indicate this may be the reason your hair is falling out. You’ll also learn how each is diagnosed, helping you determine the most likely cause of your hair loss.
• Relatives have similar patterns of hair loss
• Norwood/Ludwig scale mapping
• Occurs a few weeks/months after childbirth
• Starts during/after menopause
• Corresponding hormonal conditions (e.g. thyroid disorders)
• Blood tests
• Evaluation of recent changes (such as pregnancy or menopause onset)
• No obvious pattern
• Brief evaluation of stress and mental wellbeing
• Hair pull test
• Coincides with medical diagnosis
• Other symptoms of specific medical conditions
• Occurs during/after chemotherapy treatment
• Medical history evaluation
• Occurs during/after very low calorie diet
• Clinical nutritional deficiency
• Evaluation of current diet
• Hair loss around the temples
• Hair often worn in high-tension hairstyles like ponytails, braids, or dreadlocks
• Evaluation of haircare practices
• Sudden hairfall weeks or months after surgery or other major physical trauma
Learn more about the most common causes of hair loss below, including the types of alopecia associated with each, possible symptoms, and whether it’s preventable and/or treatable.
The vast majority of hair loss cases are caused by a combination of genetics and hormones. According to one study, 79% of hair loss cases are hereditary [2].
Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is the medical name for male pattern baldness and female pattern hair loss, and it’s the most common cause of hair loss worldwide [3-4]. AGA affects around 80% of men by the age of 80, and 40% of women by age 50 [5]. The likelihood of developing symptoms of hereditary hair loss increases as you get older.
Men in particular are likely to experience visible genetic hair loss. Male pattern baldness is very common and distinctive, so if you have a receding hairline and/or a thinning crown, it’s likely that genetics are playing a big part in your hair loss. The Norwood Scale shows how male pattern baldness typically progresses:
The bad news is that AGA isn’t preventable. The good news is that there are treatments that can stop pattern baldness from progressing (if you take them early enough).
Genetics also play a part in some other types of hair loss, including alopecia areata and frontal fibrosing alopecia, though it’s not always the definitive cause in these cases [6].
Hormonal hair loss is very common, and can affect men and women. The main hormone involved in AGA is dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a male sex hormone responsible for the development of male sex characteristics.
In people with pattern baldness, DHT binds to hormone receptors in the hair follicle, leading to follicle miniaturisation that stops hair growth. Your sensitivity to DHT is determined by your genetics, which is why both hormones and genetics lead to the development of pattern hair loss.
There are ways to control DHT to limit its impact on hair, including taking finasteride or dutasteride, and even using natural DHT blocking remedies like rosemary oil.
AGA isn’t the only type of hormonal hair loss. Hormone fluctuations after pregnancy and menopause can also lead to excessive hair shedding, while some thyroid disorders and polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) are also associated with hair loss.
Hormones may be the major cause behind your hair loss if:
Some types of hormonal hair loss typically resolve by themselves (such as postpartum hair loss). Others require active intervention to reverse balding (pattern baldness is irreversible without treatment, while menopause-related hair loss may regrow following hormone replacement therapy).
Extreme acute or chronic stress are known triggers for hair loss. Most instances of stress-related hair loss are diagnosed as telogen effluvium. Telogen effluvium happens when more hair follicles than usual are pushed into the shedding phase of the hair growth cycle, leading to increased temporary hair loss.
Stress can cause up to 70% of hairs to enter the telogen phase prematurely, leading to widespread visible hair loss [7]. Fortunately, this is almost always temporary and reversible, and will resolve by itself when the source of stress is addressed.
Stress can also contribute to androgenetic alopecia and alopecia areata, so the pattern of your hair loss is important to consider when diagnosing the cause [8]:
Some health problems and medications are associated with hair loss. One of the most well-known examples is chemotherapy-related hair loss. Chemotherapy causes anagen effluvium, in which growth-stage hairs fall out en masse during treatment.
Autoimmunity is also associated with hair loss. Alopecia areata, alopecia totalis and alopecia universalis are autoimmune disorders in which white blood cells attack the hair follicles, causing hair loss. Lichen planopilaris is another autoimmune disorder which can lead to pain, itching, and burning alongside diffuse hair loss.
Hair loss can be a sign of many other medical conditions, such as:
Certain medications can also lead to hair loss, including blood thinners, antidepressants, and some blood pressure medications.
Your hair loss may be caused by an underlying health condition if:
You might be able to mitigate health-related hair loss by changing medications or doses, or using complementary treatments like minoxidil to maintain your hair. Always seek the support of your doctor before making any changes to your prescribed medication.
Restrictive diets and nutritional deficiencies can cause hair loss [9]. Severely limited calorie intake forces your body to direct energy and nutrients to vital organs, so your hair doesn’t receive enough energy to sustain hair growth.
It’s important to eat a balanced diet consisting of healthy protein sources like chicken, fish, and beans, along with plenty of fruit and vegetables. The Mediterranean diet is often recommended by our surgeons for optimal hair health.
Additionally, clinical vitamin deficiencies cause hair loss, including male pattern baldness, female pattern baldness, telogen effluvium, and alopecia areata. People who are deficient in any of the following nutrients are at heightened risk of excessive hair shedding:
Nutritional deficiencies are very rare in the developed world. While you may have certain nutritional inadequacies, it’s unlikely you have a clinical deficiency. If you think you might be deficient in certain vitamins or minerals, schedule an appointment with your doctor, as vitamins are essential for hair growth and other important bodily functions.
Restrictive dieting or vitamin deficiencies may be contributing to your hair loss if:
It’s possible to lose weight without losing your hair. Make sure you’re getting enough calories from healthy food sources to sustain follicle function. Don’t rely on supplements to address nutritional shortfalls, as there’s no evidence they help with hair growth unless you have a clinical nutritional deficiency.
Certain hairstyles can cause traction alopecia. Traction alopecia happens when there’s sustained tension on the follicles over several weeks or months. It’s associated with hairstyles like ballerina buns, dreadlocks, thick heavy braids, and tight ponytails.
Black women are especially prone to traction alopecia, as they’re more likely to wear their hair in these styles and use chemical hair relaxers [10]. Around a third of women of African descent are affected.
Traction alopecia can be temporary if you allow the follicles to recover before they’re damaged permanently. That means leaving your hair loose for several months so the follicles can start to produce new hair. Continuing to wear damaging styles long-term can lead to permanent hair loss.
Central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia is a type of scarring alopecia that’s also associated with high-tension hairstyles, and particularly affects Black women [11]. Unlike traction alopecia, CCCA is irreversible and can be painful.
Your hair may be falling out due to damaging hair styling if:
Other poor haircare practices like excessive bleaching, dyeing, or heat styling can lead to damaged hair and breakage, but don’t normally cause true hair loss.
Physical trauma like burns or wounds to your scalp may result in permanent hair loss, thanks to scar tissue that forms over your follicles. In these cases, the cause of hair loss is normally obvious, and you should receive hair restoration support from your medical team.
It’s not usually possible to tell if your own hair loss is permanent or temporary, since it requires assessment from a qualified trichologist. They’ll do trichological tests like the hair pull test to determine whether your hair loss is permanent or not.
But there are some indicators that your hair loss might be permanent or temporary, as shown in the table below:
Other symptoms — like diffuse thinning in women and temple hair loss — aren’t telltale signs of permanent or temporary hair loss. So it’s best to get a proper assessment from a professional if you’re unsure.
Although hair loss can feel embarrassing or alarming, it’s not usually anything to worry about in terms of your physical health. In rare cases, it can indicate an underlying health condition, such as:
Your mental health is worth considering too. Hair loss has been associated with several mental health concerns, including anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts, as well as social withdrawal and issues with sexual performance [12]. So if hair loss is affecting your confidence and mental health, it’s worth looking into solutions.
You should talk to your GP about hair loss if any of the following apply to you:
A GP can help with diagnosing underlying conditions and helping you tackle any mental health issues arising from hair loss.
If you have higher-than-usual levels of hair loss (but no other worrying symptoms), speak to a qualified trichologist to get an assessment of your hair and scalp. They can tell you what’s causing your hair loss, and create a treatment plan to tackle hair thinning.
You can also try an over-the-counter hair loss treatment like minoxidil. Applying topical minoxidil to your thinning areas twice a day is proven to help stimulate hair growth in cases of pattern baldness, alopecia areata, traction alopecia, telogen effluvium, and some types of scarring alopecia [13].
Minoxidil is well-tolerated by most people, so it can be a safe and effective first-line treatment for hair thinning.
Most hair loss cases are diagnosed in two simple steps: a medical history, and a hair and scalp assessment. However, more complex cases may need further testing.
Your doctor will ask about your medical history, including any recent or historical health issues, and which medications you’re taking. They may also ask about your lifestyle, such as whether you’re a smoker, what your diet is like, and how you look after your hair.
The next stage is a physical examination of your hair and scalp. They’ll look for certain patterns that indicate specific causes of hair loss, such as:
They’ll also look at your scalp for signs of inflammation, soreness, or scar tissue.
Not all patients require additional tests. If it’s clear you have male pattern baldness, for example, which is the most common type of hair loss, you won’t usually need any further assessments.
Women’s hair loss is generally more complex, so female patients are more likely to be advised to undergo additional tests. These may include:
Most patients don’t require invasive or extensive testing, but it’s important to gather as much information as needed to make an accurate diagnosis.
The Wimpole Clinic’s experienced trichologists can assess and diagnose your hair loss at our nationwide hair loss clinics.
Find out what’s next in these questions that are commonly asked after a hair loss assessment.
It depends on multiple factors, but a normal time to wait for hair loss test results is:
Your clinic can provide a more accurate timescale for your specific case.
Some types of hair loss will grow back by themselves in most cases, but not all:
*If the underlying cause of hair loss is addressed.
Depending on the nuances of your condition, your doctor or clinician can tell you how likely it is that you’ll see spontaneous regrowth.
A normal hair growth rate is about 1 cm per month [14]. It normally takes around 6 to 12 months for hair to regrow enough to blend into the rest of the hair.
Different treatments are recommended for different hair loss causes. Here are the most common non-surgical treatments recommended by hair transplant surgeons [15]:
Not all these treatments are indicated for all types of hair loss. A reputable hair loss clinic can build an appropriate, successful hair loss treatment plan that targets the specific causes of your hair loss.
The Wimpole Clinic is an award-winning hair transplant clinic headquartered on Harley Street, London, and with locations around the UK. Here, our knowledgeable hair loss specialists work tirelessly to provide accurate diagnoses of hair loss, even in the most complex cases.
When we know what’s causing your hair loss, we’ll work with you to create a treatment plan that fits your symptoms, lifestyle, and preferences, restoring your hair to its natural fullness.
Book a free consultation at the Wimpole Clinic to find out what’s causing your hair loss and how to get the most efficient, effective treatments.
Find out more about why your hair is falling out in these frequently asked questions.
Hair that falls out in clumps is normally due to telogen effluvium, which can be triggered by stress, trauma (physical or psychological), hormone changes, and illness, among other factors.
It can also be a sign of alopecia areata, or alopecia totalis if it progresses to total scalp hair loss.
Sudden hair loss is often due to a specific trigger, such as an autoimmune flare-up, recent events like childbirth, a change in medication, or acute stress.
If there’s no obvious trigger, speak to your GP as sudden hair loss needs further investigation.
Seeing more hair loss in the shower is often a key sign that your hair loss is advancing, but there might be a simpler reason:
If more hair is falling out in the shower and your normal hair washing routine hasn’t changed, it’s possible your hair loss is progressing.
Crown and mid-scalp thinning is usually a sign of advancing male pattern hair loss. Diffuse thinning (a type of hair loss that affects the whole scalp with no discernable pattern) across the top of the scalp can be a symptom of telogen effluvium or female pattern baldness.
Postpartum hair loss is a common affliction after pregnancy. It’s normally related to your changing hormone levels as they reset back to normal, which is why it tends to happen a few months after pregnancy.
Pregnancy-related hair loss almost always resolves by itself after a few months.
Wimpole Clinic Services:
Hair Transplants, Beard Transplants & Eyebrow Transplants.
Talk to a specialist
Dr. Michael May (GMC No: 1642315) is the Medical Director and Principal Surgeon of the Wimpole Clinic. He has more than 35 years’ experience in the field of hair transplant surgery and has completed over 10,000 hair transplant procedures, accumulating an unmatched breadth and depth of experience that is exclusively available to Wimpole Clinic patients.
Dr. May entered private practice in 1982 when he first became involved with hair surgery. Since then, he has dedicated his career exclusively to the science and practice of hair transplant surgery and hair restoration.
He qualified at St Bartholomew’s Hospital in London after which he trained and registered as a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons. Dr. May was instrumental in developing the revolutionary technique of follicular unit transplant (FUT), and subsequently he also presented papers and lectures in the UK and Europe to professional colleagues. He quickly became recognised by his peers and colleagues as a leader in the field of follicular unit hair transplantation.
Dr May specialises in hair restoration surgery covering; FUE, FUT lateral slit, eyebrow transplants, eyelashes, beard transplants, sideburns, burns, and repairs.
As a leading authority in his field, Dr. May became a founder member of the BAHRS. He has also served as the president of the BAHRS and the European Society of Hair Restoration Surgeons. In addition, Dr. May is a registered member of the Trichological Society and became a Diplomat of Hair Restoration Surgery (ABHRS) in 2002. Dr. Michael May’s full list of associations are as follows:
Dr. May is available to prospective Wimpole Clinic patients during their consultation and carries out many of the hair transplant procedures at the clinic.
