PCOS and hormones
Higher androgens can shrink follicles, causing a wider part and crown thinning. Irregular periods or extra facial hair are clues worth raising with a doctor.
The Hair Fall Guide
Hair fall? Start with the cause, not the shampoo aisle.
Why hair falls, what helps, and how to build a natural hair care routine with plant based hair care you can trust.
2–3 months
Shedding often shows up this long after a trigger like stress, illness or crash dieting.
50–100
strands shed a day is normal
~90%
of scalp hairs are growing at any time
Why is my hair falling out?
Hair fall has many causes and rarely just one. The right hair fall treatment for women starts by finding which of these is behind yours.
Key takeaways
- Hair fall rarely starts the day you notice it. Causes like stress, low iron, thyroid issues and hormones often build for months, and shedding shows up two to three months later.
- Losing 50 to 100 strands a day is normal. A sudden or lasting increase is worth checking.
- Start with bloodwork (thyroid, ferritin, vitamin D, B12) before buying any product.
- Gentle scalp care, a mild natural shampoo and a steady oil or mask routine support healthy hair. Nothing is guaranteed, and scarred follicles can’t be restored.
- Give any routine three to six months. Shedding often settles within about six months once the trigger has passed.
Stress & sleep
Big or long stress, short nights and high cortisol can push many hairs into rest at once.
Nutrition & bloodwork
Low iron, vitamin D, B12 or protein intake are common, fixable triggers. Ask for bloodwork first.
Hormones
PCOS, thyroid changes, pregnancy and menopause can all change shedding patterns.
Scalp health
Dryness, dandruff and build-up make it hard for hair to thrive. Good scalp care for hair growth matters.
Heat & damage
Breakage from tools, colour, chemical treatments and tight styles can look like hair fall.
Genetics & age
Pattern thinning is hereditary and responds best to early action.
Hair growth cycle (not to scale)
Growth (anagen)2–7 years
Rest (telogen)~3 months
Transition (catagen)2–3 weeks
Triggers push more hairs into rest, so shedding rises a few months later.
Daily strands shed
0100150200+
90%
- ~90% growing
- ~10% resting
- Over ~100 a day: worth a check
Shop natural hair care for hair fall
Plant based hair products, hair oils, masks and natural hair shampoos in bar form: our best natural hair care products, all in one place. Filter by type.
Hair oil
Ayurvedic Champi Hair Oil
Traditional warm-oil scalp massage oil
★★★★★(5)
From $20.99 USD
View product
Shampoo bar
Pool Party Hard Shampoo Bar – From Pool to Playground
From pool to playground, a hard shampoo bar
★★★★★(5)
$19.49 USD
View product
Hair cream
Deep Brew Hair Cream for Frizz Control & Deep Nourishment
Deep nourishment and anti frizz hair control
★★★★★(6)
From $23.99 USD
View product
Mask
Mask
Which hair fall pattern matches yours?
How hair falls tells you a lot about why. Find your pattern, then follow the next step.
Shedding all over, 2–3 months after a trigger
Likely causeStress, illness, childbirth or crash dieting pushing hairs into rest.
Next stepReduce the trigger, eat well. It often settles within months.
Wider part, thinner crown
Likely causeHormones such as PCOS or thyroid, or hereditary thinning.
Next stepSee a doctor for testing, and keep your scalp care gentle.
Snapped hairs, rough ends, frizz
Likely causeBreakage from heat, colour, tight styles or friction.
Next stepAdd heat protection, a weekly mask and regular trims.
Itchy, flaky scalp with shedding
Likely causeDryness, dandruff or product build-up.
Next stepWeekly scalp detox and a mild wash. See a doctor if it’s red or painful.
Smooth, patchy bald spots
Likely causeNeeds a professional diagnosis.
Next stepBook a dermatologist appointment promptly.
Hair fall at different stages of life
The cause, and the right next step, changes with your body and your season of life.
Pick your concern, get a plan
Most people have more than one. Start with the card that sounds most like you.
Hair fall and thinning
Care can’t fix an internal cause, but a calm scalp and less breakage help you keep the hair you have. A simple scalp care routine you can stick to beats a complicated one.
- Massage your scalp for a few minutes a day. A traditional Champi Hair Oil ritual doubles as stress relief.
- Apply scalp care products such as a serum or weekly mask to the scalp, not just the lengths.
- Skip tight styles and cut back on heat while shedding is high.
- Wash 2-3 times a week with a mild natural shampoo bar, so your scalp stays clean without being stripped.
Thinning at the crown with irregular periods? Ask a doctor about PCOS or thyroid testing.
Shop oils & serums →Dry scalp and dandruff
A tight, flaky scalp slows healthy growth, and scratching breaks hair at the root. A natural scalp detox once a week clears build-up so products can reach the skin.
- The best hair oil for dry scalp care is a light plant oil, massaged in before washing.
- Hair care for dandruff means washing often with a mild formula and rinsing well.
- If your roots get greasy, keep any hair oil for scalp massage light and wash it out.
- Do a weekly scalp detox to lift build-up. See a doctor if the scalp is red, painful or very itchy.
Frizz and damage
Frizz is thirsty hair: a lifted cuticle grabs moisture from the air. Thin hair is fragile, so breakage can look like hair fall. Hair care products for damaged hair should seal and hydrate.
- Smooth damp ends with a serum for frizzy hair. The best hair serum for damaged and frizzy hair is lightweight, not greasy.
- A drop of the best hair oil for dry and frizzy hair adds slip and shine.
- Use a natural heat protectant for hair before every blow-dry, and an anti frizz hair spray over dry hair for flyaways.
- Follow a hair care routine for damaged hair: gentle wash, conditioner on the ends, a weekly mask, and air-drying when you can. Browse the best hair care products for damaged hair in the shop.
Natural, organic, non-toxic: what the labels mean
These words sell shampoo, but they don’t all mean the same thing. Here’s how to read them.
| Label | What it usually means | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Natural | Mostly plant-derived ingredients, but the term is loosely regulated. | The full ingredient list. |
| Organic | Ingredients grown to an organic standard. | A recognised certification, not just “made with organic”. |
| Non-toxic | No agreed legal definition. | No harsh sulfates or synthetic fragrance. |
| Plant based | Derived from plants, may still include synthetics. | What the cleanser actually is. |
Choosing in 30 seconds
- Look at the cleanser first. It decides how gentle the wash is.
- Prefer ingredients you can recognise.
- Match it to your scalp: oily, dry or flaky.
- Try a bar. It skips the plastic bottle.
Shopping for the best natural shampoo? Remember that the most natural shampoo isn’t automatically the gentlest. Whether you choose an organic shampoo, an all natural shampoo or a non toxic shampoo, mild plant-derived cleansers are what keep a scalp comfortable. The same goes for organic shampoos and all natural shampoos, for any natural hair shampoo in bar form, and for organic hair care, organic hair products and all natural hair products in general.
A simple hair care routine for women
Consistency beats complexity. This natural hair care routine suits most hair types.
What to expect, and when
Results vary. Scarred or long-lost follicles can’t be restored by any product, and only a doctor can tell you which type you have.
The Ayurvedic herbs inside Let’s Shine
These are the herbs we use in our small-batch formulas. Here’s what each is traditionally used for, and what research actually shows.
Some human evidence
Early research
Traditional use, limited research
Rosemary
Some human evidence How it’s traditionally usedScalp oils and tonics to soothe the scalp and support thinning hair.
What research saysOne small six-month trial found rosemary oil comparable to 2% minoxidil in men with pattern hair loss. Promising, but not yet confirmed by large studies.
Moringa
Traditional use How it’s traditionally usedNutrient-rich leaf used in hair masks and oils for strength and shine.
What research saysIt contains vitamins, minerals and amino acids, but there is little human research on moringa applied to hair.
Hibiscus
Traditional use How it’s traditionally usedFlowers and leaves used in oils and rinses to condition hair and soothe the scalp.
What research saysRich in antioxidants. Hair-growth findings come mostly from lab and animal studies, not human trials.
Clove
Early research How it’s traditionally usedUsed in scalp blends for its warming feel and cleansing, antimicrobial properties.
What research saysLab studies show antimicrobial and antioxidant activity. Hair-specific human evidence is limited, and clove can irritate skin if not well diluted.
Neem
Early research How it’s traditionally usedA classic Ayurvedic herb for itchy, flaky scalps and dandruff.
What research saysShows antimicrobial and antifungal activity in lab studies. Good-quality human trials on scalp use are still limited.
Fenugreek seeds
Early research How it’s traditionally usedSoaked or ground seeds used in masks and oils for hair fall and dandruff.
What research saysRich in protein and iron, and small studies are encouraging. Larger, well-designed trials are still needed.
Coffee
Early research How it’s traditionally usedUsed in scalp products to stimulate circulation and add shine.
What research saysLab studies suggest caffeine may stimulate hair follicles, and small human studies are early. It’s not proven to prevent hair loss.
Ashwagandha
Traditional use How it’s traditionally usedAn adaptogen herb, traditionally linked to stress balance and strong hair.
What research saysEvidence that it reduces stress comes mainly from oral supplements. Whether it helps hair when used on the scalp isn’t established.
What our formulas leave out
Sulfate-freeParaben-freeSilicone-freeMineral oil-freeArtificial fragrance-freeCruelty-free
Herbs support a healthy scalp and hair, but none is proven to treat hair loss caused by conditions like PCOS, thyroid problems or pattern baldness. Results vary from person to person. Patch test new products, and check each product page for its exact ingredient list.
Everyday habits: do this, skip that
✓ Do
- Massage your scalp daily to boost circulation and ease stress
- Wash when your scalp needs it, usually 2–3 times a week
- Rinse with lukewarm water
- Pat hair dry and detangle from the ends upward
- Sleep on a silk or satin pillowcase
- Trim every 8–12 weeks to stop splits travelling up
✕ Skip
- Tight ponytails, buns and braids that pull at the roots
- Very hot water and daily heat styling
- Rubbing wet hair hard with a towel
- Heavy oils and creams on a greasy scalp
- Crash dieting or skipping meals
- Skipping washes when you have dandruff
When to see a doctor, and what to ask for
Start with bloodwork before any product. Ask your doctor about a thyroid panel, ferritin (stored iron), vitamin D and B12, plus hormone tests if you have signs of PCOS. Book promptly if:
- Hair loss is sudden or patchy, or has lasted more than three months
- Your scalp is painful, very red or scarred
- Shedding comes with fatigue, weight changes, irregular periods or extra facial hair
Read more: when to see a dermatologist and what your hair can tell a doctor.
The Hair Fall Library: read deeper
Every guide from The Shine Guide on hair fall, organised by topic.
Loved by our community
Real stories from Let’s Shine customers.