How to stop hair fall: causes and what actually helps

Some hair fall every day is normal. When it suddenly increases, there is almost always a reason: diet, stress, scalp problems, styling damage or a health change. Find the cause first, then the fix becomes simple.

How much hair fall is normal?

Losing 50 to 100 strands a day is normal shedding. You notice more on wash days because loose hairs collect between washes. It becomes a concern when you see clumps, a widening parting, a thinner ponytail or visible scalp.

Common causes of hair fall

  • Low iron, vitamin D, B12 or protein, very common in Indian diets.
  • Stress, illness, fever, surgery or childbirth, which cause heavy shedding 2 to 3 months later.
  • Thyroid problems and PCOS.
  • Dandruff and an oily, itchy scalp.
  • Tight hairstyles, frequent heat styling, bleaching and chemical straightening.
  • Hard water and humid monsoon weather, which make hair brittle and the scalp prone to fungus.
  • Genetic pattern hair loss in men and women.

7 steps to control hair fall

  1. Get a basic blood test: Ask your doctor to check haemoglobin, ferritin, vitamin D, B12 and thyroid. Fixing a deficiency often reduces hair fall within 3 months.
  2. Eat protein in every meal: Dal, paneer, curd, eggs, soya, sprouts, chicken or fish. Hair is made of protein and is the first thing the body cuts back on.
  3. Keep the scalp clean: Wash 2 to 3 times a week with a mild shampoo. In monsoon or if you sweat a lot, wash more often so oil and sweat do not build up.
  4. Treat dandruff early: Use an anti-dandruff shampoo with ketoconazole or zinc pyrithione twice a week until flakes clear.
  5. Be gentle with wet hair: Use conditioner, a wide-tooth comb and pat dry with a soft cloth. Never tie hair tightly while wet.
  6. Cut heat and chemical treatments: Give hair a break from straightening, smoothening and bleach. When you do use heat, apply a protectant and keep it low.
  7. Manage stress and sleep: 7 to 8 hours of sleep and daily movement help bring hair back into its growing phase.

Onion juice, rice water and new oils go viral often. They will not fix a deficiency or a scalp infection. Use them only alongside the basics above.

Check your hair and scalp

B4GLOW checks your hair density, texture, frizz and scalp from one selfie, so you can track changes month by month. Free, and photos stay on your phone.

When to see a dermatologist

  • Round smooth bald patches, or hair coming out in clumps.
  • Heavy hair fall that lasts more than 3 months.
  • A receding hairline or thinning crown at a young age.
  • Pain, redness, pus or heavy scaling on the scalp.

Frequently asked questions

Is hair fall in monsoon normal?

Yes, many people shed more in monsoon because humidity, sweat and fungal dandruff weaken hair. Wash more often, dry your scalp fully and treat dandruff early.

Does hair grow back after hair fall?

Shedding from stress, illness or a deficiency usually grows back in 3 to 6 months once the cause is fixed. Genetic hair loss needs medical treatment to slow it.

Does oiling stop hair fall?

Oiling reduces breakage and dryness but cannot stop hair fall caused by deficiencies, hormones or genetics. Do not leave oil on an itchy or dandruff-prone scalp for long.

Can a hair spa reduce hair fall?

A hair spa helps with dry, frizzy, breaking hair and relaxes the scalp. It does not treat medical hair loss, but it is useful for damage-related breakage.