Hair loss — where to start before you panic

First, take a breath: is this actually a problem?

Before you do anything, here's one thing that defuses most of the panic: losing hair is a completely normal process. Every hair follows its own cycle — it grows for a few years, then rests and falls out, making way for a new one. That means you lose a certain amount of hair every day, and that's physiology, not disease. Hair on your brush isn't proof of disaster. It's proof that the cycle is turning.

So when is it worth paying closer attention? When shedding is noticeably heavier than usual and lasts for weeks, when you notice your parting widening, your temples receding, and your scalp starting to show through. Or when itching, excess oil or dandruff appear alongside the shedding. This isn't a reason to panic, but it is a signal to move through the next steps consciously rather than by instinct.

Why hair falls out — the most common causes

Hair loss isn't a single condition. It's a symptom that can stem from several different mechanisms. This matters, because the plan depends on the cause — not the other way round. Most often, one of three scenarios is at play (sometimes more than one at once).

The distinction is practical, not academic. Telogen hair loss usually resolves once life settles down and deficiencies are corrected. Deficiency-related loss needs its cause identified and addressed — sometimes the issue isn't the hair at all, but depleted iron stores, for example. Androgenetic loss is a different matter entirely: this isn't about "curing" it, but about slowing the process and maintaining the best possible condition — and we should be upfront about that from the start.

Where to start — step by step

This is the heart of the article. Instead of buying the first thing an algorithm advertises to you, work through these steps in order — from the cheapest and most fundamental to the more advanced. Most people skip the first three and then wonder why step four isn't working.

1. 01

   Step 1 — Observation

   Before you take any action: for 2–3 weeks, simply keep track. Is the shedding genuinely increasing, or was it a one-off "bad day"? Has your parting changed? Has itching or dandruff appeared? Concrete facts instead of panic — that's your starting point.

2. 02

   Step 2 — The basics: sleep, stress, diet

   Hair is a luxury for the body — when fuel is scarce, it's the first thing to be cut. Look after your sleep, cut down on chronic stress, and eat a varied diet with a decent amount of protein. This isn't a cliché: a body that's undernourished and stressed simply doesn't invest in hair.

3. 03

   Step 3 — Tests: iron, ferritin, thyroid

   This is where things get concrete. Before spending money on treatments, it's worth checking the basics with your GP — including iron stores (ferritin), a full blood count and thyroid function. Very often, this is where the answer lies, and correcting a deficiency does more than many a treatment.

4. 04

   Step 4 — Scalp diagnosis

   If the basics are covered and the problem persists, it's time to look at where it all begins: the scalp. A trichology consultation with trichoscopy (examining the scalp under magnification) helps distinguish the type of hair loss and choose a sensible direction — instead of guessing blindly.

5. 05

   Step 5 — Plan and targeted treatments

   Only once you have a diagnosis in hand can you choose the right approach: scalp care, a course of treatment, and for some people, stimulating treatments. This is the stage where patience matters — hair grows slowly, so results are assessed in months, not weeks.

Notice the order here. Diagnosis comes before treatment, and the basics (sleep, diet, tests) come before diagnosis. Even the most expensive treatment won't make up for chronic iron deficiency or untreated excess oil production — that's why we build this from the foundations up, not from the roof down.

What NOT to do

Chaotic action can do just as much harm as doing nothing at all. Before you spend your first penny, read this short list of "traps" — it will save you frustration and money.

In short: understand first, then act. Put your money and time towards diagnosis and a consistent plan, not random products that "worked for someone else."

When to see a specialist (trichologist)

Not every case of hair loss needs a salon visit — but there are situations where it's worth stopping the waiting and simply booking an appointment. Treat this as a simple checklist.

• Shedding is noticeably heavier than usual and has lasted longer than 2–3 months.
• You notice a widening parting, receding temples, or scalp showing through.
• Bald patches, localised hair loss, itching, pain or heavy excess oil and dandruff have appeared.
• Hair loss is accompanied by other symptoms (fatigue, skin or nail changes) — this could point to a deficiency or hormonal cause.
• You've been doing everything "right" for several months without seeing improvement.

The visit starts with a conversation and trichoscopy — a pain-free examination of the scalp under magnification that helps distinguish the type of hair loss and put together a realistic plan. Sometimes the trichologist will refer you to a doctor for further diagnostics (hormonal tests, for example); sometimes it's enough to tidy up your care routine and start a treatment programme. Either way — you leave with something concrete instead of guesswork.