WHY IS MY HAIR THINNING?

The most common causes, and what can actually help

Hair thinning is one of the most common concerns we hear about in the salon, and it can feel unsettling when you start to notice your hair changing.

You might spot it gradually, your ponytail feels a little thinner, your parting looks slightly wider, or you’re simply noticing more hair in your brush than usual.

The reassuring thing to know is that hair thinning is incredibly common, and in many cases there are clear reasons behind it. More importantly, there are often ways to support the health of your hair again once you understand what’s going on.

First: it’s normal to lose some hair every day

Before worrying about hair loss, it’s helpful to understand that shedding hair is completely normal.

Most people naturally lose around 50–100 hairs per day as part of the hair’s natural growth cycle.

Hair grows in three stages:

Growth phase (Anagen)This is when the hair is actively growing from the follicle.

Transition phase (Catagen)The follicle begins to shrink and the hair prepares to move into the resting stage.

Resting phase (Telogen)The hair eventually sheds, allowing a new hair to begin growing in its place.

When something disrupts this cycle, more hair may enter the shedding stage at once, which is when hair can start to feel noticeably thinner.

The most common causes of thinning hair

There isn’t always just one reason for thinning hair. Often it’s a combination of factors happening at the same time.

Hormonal changes

Hormones have a huge influence on the hair growth cycle.

Hair thinning is particularly common:

• after pregnancy

• during menopause

• or during periods of hormonal change.

When hormone levels shift, the hair growth cycle can shorten. This means hair may shed sooner than it normally would, before a new hair has had time to grow in.

Stress

Our bodies respond to stress in many ways, and hair can be one of them.

Periods of physical or emotional stress can trigger something called telogen effluvium, where a larger number of hairs enter the shedding phase at the same time.

What often surprises people is that this tends to appear two or three months after the stressful event, rather than immediately.

The good news is that this type of thinning is often temporary as the body settles back into balance.

Scalp health

Healthy hair really does begin at the scalp.

If the scalp becomes:

• irritated

• congested

• dry

• or inflamed

it can affect the environment the hair grows from.

This is one of the reasons we pay close attention to scalp health in the salon. Supporting the scalp properly can make a significant difference to the overall condition of the hair.

Nutrition

Hair is made primarily from protein and relies on a range of nutrients to grow well.

Low levels of nutrients such as:

• iron

• vitamin D

• protein

• or certain vitamins

can sometimes contribute to slower growth or increased shedding.

Over-processing or damage

Regular colouring, heat styling and environmental stress can gradually weaken the hair over time.

Sometimes what looks like thinning hair is actually hair breakage, where the strands themselves have become fragile.

This is why strengthening treatments and supportive haircare routines can be so important.

Genetics

For some people, thinning hair is simply part of their natural hair pattern.

Genetics can influence:

• hair density

• hair thickness

• and how hair changes over time.

In these cases, the focus shifts toward protecting the hair you have and creating styles that help the hair appear fuller and healthier.

Why scalp health matters more than most people realise

One of the biggest shifts in professional haircare in recent years has been recognising just how important scalp health really is.

Your scalp is essentially the foundation that hair grows from.

If that environment becomes unbalanced, hair may struggle to grow as well as it should.

When clients mention thinning hair, we often look at things like:

• the condition of the scalp

• product build-up

• hydration levels

• hair density

• lifestyle factors.

Sometimes the smallest adjustments can make a noticeable difference over time.

Treatments and support for thinning hair

There isn’t a single solution that works for everyone, but there are several ways to support the health of your hair.

Depending on the cause, this might include:

Professional scalp careTreatments designed to support the scalp environment so hair can grow more comfortably.

Targeted haircare productsSome professional systems, such as Nioxin, are specifically designed to support thinning hair and improve scalp health.

Strengthening treatmentsHelping improve the resilience and condition of the hair so it’s less prone to breakage.

Lifestyle and haircare adviceSometimes a few small adjustments to your routine can make a bigger difference than you might expect.

When to seek professional advice

If you’ve noticed your hair changing, it’s always worth speaking to a professional stylist.

In the salon, we take time during consultations to understand:

• your hair history

• any recent lifestyle changes

• colour or treatment history

• the condition of your scalp.

Often the solution becomes much clearer once we look at the bigger picture.

The most important thing to remember

Hair thinning can feel worrying, but it’s something we see and talk about regularly in the salon.

In many cases, once you understand what’s happening and support the hair properly, things can begin to improve.

Because beautiful hair isn’t just about styling, it’s about looking after the foundation it grows from.

When the scalp is healthy and the hair is supported properly, it becomes much easier for hair to look and feel its best again.

Concerned about hair thinning?

If you’ve noticed changes in your hair and would like some advice, our team are always happy to help.

A consultation allows us to look at the condition of your hair and scalp and talk through the best options for you.

Book an appointment