Hair Fall Treatment: Causes, Anti-Hair-Loss Shampoos and a Scalp Routine

Finding hair in the shower drain is normal — most people shed roughly 50 to 100 hairs a day as part of the natural growth cycle. But when shedding suddenly increases, your ponytail feels thinner or your parting looks wider, there is usually a reason behind it. This guide explains the most common causes of hair fall, what you can do at home, the anti-hair-loss shampoos and scalp serums worth trying, and when it's time to see a doctor.

Shedding or breakage? Check first

Pick up a few fallen hairs. A hair with a tiny white bulb at one end has shed from the root — that's hair fall. Short pieces without a bulb have broken along the length — usually from heat, bleaching, keratin/protein treatments or rough brushing. Breakage needs repair and protection rather than anti-hair-loss treatments: see damage repair and heat protection.

Common causes of hair fall

• Stress, illness or surgery: a shock to the body can push many hairs into the shedding phase at once. The fall typically starts 2–3 months later and usually settles within several months.
• After childbirth: postpartum shedding is very common and usually temporary.
• Low iron, vitamin D or thyroid problems: a simple blood test can check these — ask your doctor.
• Hormonal or genetic thinning: gradual widening of the parting in women or a receding hairline in men; conditions like PCOS can contribute.
• Crash dieting or low protein: hair is not essential tissue, so the body cuts its supply first.
• Tight hairstyles: constant pulling (tight buns, extensions) can cause traction hair loss at the hairline.

Step 1: An anti-hair-loss shampoo

Shampoo touches your scalp for only a minute, so it won't regrow hair on its own — but a good one cleans the scalp without irritation and delivers strengthening ingredients. If your hair is also dry or color-treated, choose a gentle, sulfate-free formula. Options our customers rebuy:

• Kérastase Genesis Bain Hydra-Fortifiant — for weakened hair prone to falling.
• Vichy Dercos Energizing Anti Hair Loss Shampoo — an aminexil shampoo from the pharmacy.
• Some By Mi Cica Peptide Anti Hair Loss Derma Scalp Shampoo — Korean scalp care with cica and peptides.
• Karseell Maca Essence Anti-Hair-Loss Shampoo with the matching conditioner.
• Bioxcin Forte Hair Loss Shampoo and Capixy Anti-Hair Loss Shampoo.

Massage the shampoo into the scalp with your fingertips (not nails) for 1–2 minutes before rinsing. Browse every shampoo.

Step 2: A leave-on scalp serum (the most important step)

Leave-on treatments stay on the scalp, which is why they matter more than the shampoo. Apply to a clean, dry or towel-dried scalp, part by part, and massage gently:

• Kérastase Genesis Anti Hair-Fall Fortifying Serum — our bestselling hair-fall serum.
• Vichy Dercos Aminexil Clinical — a targeted pharmacy treatment.
• Medicube Rosemary PDRN Scalp Serum and Aromatica Rosemary Root Volumizing Scalp Ampoule — rosemary-based Korean scalp care.
• VT PDRN Reedle Shot Hair Ampoule — a scalp ampoule from the VT Reedle Shot line.

See all scalp care and hair oils & serums.

Step 3: Condition the lengths and reduce damage

Apply conditioner from mid-lengths to ends — not the roots — so the scalp stays light and clean. The Medicube Rosemary PDRN Hair & Scalp Conditioner is designed for both. Use heat protection before every blow-dry or straightener, wide-tooth combs on wet hair, and loose hairstyles. Shop conditioners and hair masks & treatments.

Step 4: Support from the inside

A balanced diet with enough protein, iron and vitamins matters for hair. Supplements can help if you're deficient — they won't speed up healthy hair beyond normal:

• Viviscal Hair Growth Supplement for Women
• NOW Biotin 5,000 mcg

Browse hair, skin & nails supplements and the wider wellness range.

Your hair-fall routine at a glance

Shop hair loss & thinning Shop scalp health Shop Kérastase

Frequently asked questions