Finding hair on your pillow or in the shower drain can be alarming. The important question is whether the amount is normal, and if it is not, what is behind it. This guide covers the common causes, the tests doctors may suggest and the treatment options available.

How much hair fall is normal?

The hair on your scalp goes through growth, rest and shedding phases, and it is common to lose roughly 50 to 100 hairs a day. It becomes a concern when shedding is clearly more than usual for several weeks, when your hair looks thinner, when your parting is widening or the hairline is receding, or when you notice patches of hair loss.

Common causes of hair fall

Telogen effluvium (shedding after a trigger)

Significant stress, high fever or illness, surgery, childbirth, rapid weight loss or crash dieting can push many hairs into the shedding phase at the same time. The shedding often appears two to three months after the trigger and usually settles once the cause is addressed.

Nutritional and medical causes

Low iron, low vitamin D or B12, protein-poor diets and thyroid problems are common contributors. Hormonal conditions such as PCOS can also affect hair.

Androgenetic alopecia (pattern hair loss)

The most common cause of long-term hair thinning. It is genetic and hormone-related: men typically see a receding hairline and crown thinning, while women often see a widening parting and overall reduced density.

Scalp conditions

Heavy dandruff, scalp infections and inflammation can contribute to hair fall. See our page on dandruff treatment if flaking and itching are present.

Patchy hair loss

Round, smooth bald patches may be an autoimmune condition called alopecia areata, and should be assessed by a dermatologist.

Hair care and lifestyle

Tight hairstyles, frequent heat styling, chemical treatments and harsh products can break hair and damage the scalp.

Tests a dermatologist may suggest

  • Scalp and hair examination — including looking closely at the follicles and hair density.
  • Blood tests — commonly to check haemoglobin and iron stores, thyroid function, vitamin D and B12, depending on your history.
  • Other tests — for example hormonal tests in some women, or a scalp assessment if a patchy or scarring condition is suspected.

Treatment options

Treatment depends on the cause. A dermatologist may suggest one or more of the following:

  • Correcting the cause — treating a deficiency or thyroid problem, improving diet and managing stress.
  • Medical therapy — such as topical minoxidil, and in some cases other prescribed medicines. These should be started under medical advice because they are not suitable for everyone.
  • PRP and growth-factor treatments — procedures that use growth factors to support the scalp and hair follicles, often as a series of sessions. Read about Growth Factor Concentrate (GFC) and our overall hair loss treatment approach.
  • Scalp treatment — managing dandruff or inflammation to give hair a healthy base.
  • Hair patch and cosmetic solutions — for people who want an immediate cosmetic option. See hair patch.
Hair treatments need time. Because hair grows slowly, it commonly takes several months to judge whether a plan is working.

Everyday habits that help

  • Eat enough protein, iron-rich foods and a balanced diet; avoid crash dieting.
  • Be gentle when wet — hair is fragile; do not comb aggressively or tie it very tight.
  • Limit heat styling and harsh chemical treatments.
  • Keep your scalp clean and treat dandruff early.
  • Do not take hair supplements in high doses without advice — more is not better.

When to see a dermatologist

Book a consultation if hair fall has continued for more than two to three months, you can see thinning or a receding hairline, you have bald patches, your scalp is itchy, painful or flaky, or hair loss started after a major illness or medicine. Starting early gives the best chance of protecting the hair you have.