We lose around 100 hairs a day as part of the natural growth cycle. It’s only when that shedding becomes excessive, prolonged, or visible over large areas that it’s worth digging deeper. And the reasons behind it? Unfortunately there are many culprits, including hormonal shifts – from pregnancy to the rollercoaster of perimenopause and menopause. Genetics can also play a crucial role too, quietly determining how resilient your follicles are. Add in nutritional deficiencies, thyroid or autoimmune conditions, major stress, illness or even rapid weight changes, and you can see how widespread it really is.
The good news? Today’s options for supporting thinning hair have never been more effective. Modern scalp serums, supplements and shampoos are designed to work at follicle level; look out for these start ingredients to give your follicles a boost:
- Caffeine to energise sluggish follicles.
- Biotin to support stronger, more resilient strands.
- Peptides to help encourage density over time.
- Rosemary oil, the beauty editor favourite, to boost circulation and nurture growth.
Supplements can help too, especially if your diet’s been short on iron, protein or key vitamins. And if you’re unsure what’s really going on, a consultation with a trichologist can be helpful. They can pinpoint whether it’s hormonal, hereditary, nutritional or stress-related, and map out a plan that’s tailored to you.
Here Are Some Practical Tips To Help Limit Hair Loss
Loosen The Ponytail
High, tight styles can place constant tension on the follicle, leading to breakage and even traction alopecia over time. Opt for softer, lower styles and give your scalp regular ‘down days’ to recover.
Swap To Silk Scrunchies
Elastic bands tug, snag and stress the hair shaft. Silk scrunchies glide over strands, reducing friction and helping to prevent the kind of mid-length snapping that masquerades as hair thinning.
Sleep On Silk (Or Wrap In It)
A silk pillowcase or a silk sleep turban is one of the chicest ways to protect your lengths overnight. By minimising friction as you toss and turn, silk keeps more strands on your head and fewer on your pillow.
Brush With Care – And With The Right Tool
A flexible, gentle brush like the Manta Hairbrush (see below) moves with the natural contours of your scalp and hair, reducing snagging and tension. It’s especially good for fragile, postpartum or menopausal hair.
Treat Your Scalp Like Skin
A healthy scalp is the foundation of healthier, fuller hair. Incorporate a weekly scalp massage with a lightweight serum or oil to boost circulation, support follicle health and encourage growth.
If you’d like to try some at-home haircare to tackle volume, density and hair loss, here are a dozen targeted treatments to help:
