In the UK, the NHS estimates that 6.5 million women and 8 million men are currently affected by hair loss - whether it’s hereditary pattern baldness, alopecia or circular hair loss. 

The good news is that once you understand why thinning hair happens and what strengthens the scalp, you can take steps to help tackle hair loss. 

Let’s find out the three main stages of hair growth, why hair thins out, common types of hair loss and how our award-winning sebamed Anti-hairloss Shampoo can support healthy hair growth if you experience thinning or balding.

The 3 Main Stages of Hair Growth

To understand why hair falls out, it helps to know that hair grows in cycles. There are three main stages; a long growth phase, (anagen), a short transition (catagen) and a rest (telegen) phase.

Anagen (Growth Phase)

This is the main growth stage of hair, which can last between 2-8 years. Most of the hairs on your head - around 85-90% are in this stage right now. During anagen, the follicles keep making new cells, so your hair continues to grow until it's either cut or naturally reaches the end of its cycle. 

Catagen (Transition Phase)

Catagen is a short, transitional stage lasting around 2–3 weeks. During this time, the hair follicle shrinks, separates and prepares to move into the resting phase.  

Telogen (Resting Phase)

In the telogen phase, the follicle is inactive and the hair rests for about 2–3 months. This is when hairs may shed naturally during brushing or washing.

Why does hair thin out?

There are many reasons why hair loss or thinning hair may start to occur - here are the most common ones; 

Hormones

Hormones have a big impact on hair growth because they influence how long each hair stays in its growth phase. Oestrogen, for example, helps hair grow for longer, which is why it often looks thicker during pregnancy. When hormone levels drop - such as after childbirth or during menopause, hair loss can increase and hair may take longer to grow back. 

Androgens, like testosterone and DHT, can also shrink hair follicles, leading to thinning hair or balding in both men and women. 

Genetics

Genetics also have a strong influence on whether you experience thinning hair or hair loss. If close relatives have had hair loss, there’s a higher chance you may notice similar changes. Genetics can often determine the pattern, for example a receding hairline, thinning of the crown or overall shedding. 

Stress and Illness

Stress, illness or certain medications can disrupt the normal hair cycle and push hair into the shredding phase. This type of hair loss, known as telogen effuvium, often shows up a few months after the trigger. The good news is that it’s usually temporary - once the body recovers or stress levels reduce, hair growth often returns back to the normal growth cycle. 

Menopause 

Hair thinning is common during menopause, with around half of women experiencing it. As oestrogen and progesterone levels decrease, the natural hair growth cycle changes. Strands often become weaker and finer - making them easier to shed. Some women also notice thinning around the crown or hairline, and because new strands take longer to grow back, hair can end up looking thinner than it did before menopause. 

Scalp health 

A healthy scalp is the starting point for healthy hair. When the scalp becomes irritated, unbalanced or lacks good circulation, the follicles don’t get the nutrients that they need. This can make hair look weaker, drier and more likely to shed. By using gentle, pH-balanced products, like sebamed Anti-Hairloss Shampoo, they can help keep the scalp healthy, nourished and balanced for stronger, fuller-looking hair.

Common types of hair loss

Diffuse Hairloss / Alopecia

Instead of bald spots, diffuse hair loss shows up as an overall thinning across the whole head. This can happen for many reasons, from stress, poor diet to medical conditions, medication or hormonal changes.  

Circular Hairloss / Alopecia Areata

This type of hair loss tends to appear suddenly in small, round bald patches. It’s not fully known why this occurs, but it’s thought to be linked to the immune system mistakenly targeting hair follicles. While it can be worrying, in some cases the hair does grow back.

Hereditary Hairloss / Androgenetic Alopecia

This is the most common type of hair loss and it often runs in families. It usually happens slowly and is linked to a mix of hormones and genetics. Men may notice a receding hairline or thinning of the crown, while women may experience gradual thinning of the crown line, or hair that becomes finer over time.

How can I support healthy hair growth if I experience thinning or balding?

If you’re dealing with hair loss or thinning of hair, looking after your scalp is one of the most important steps you could take. Our award-winning sebamed Anti-Hairloss Shampoo has been specially formulated to support hair growth and strengthen the hair’s structure. Instead of containing harsh ingredients, it contains a unique NHE Formula, that helps provide the scalp with more oxygen and nutrients that then flow to the roots of your hair. When the scalp is nourished, it’s easier for hair to grow and stay strong. 

sebamed Anti-hairloss Shampoo contains the following;

Nicotinic Acid Hexyl Ester (NHE)
This nourishing ingredient helps open up tiny blood vessels in the scalp, encouraging better circulation and delivering what your follicles need to thrive.

Caffeine
Known for ‘waking up’ the hair roots, caffeine helps keep strands of hair in their growth phase for longer. It also works against DHT, a hormone that can play a part in hereditary hair loss.

Ginkgo Biloba Extract
A natural plant extract that supports healthy circulation while protecting the scalp against stress and damage.

Maintains a healthy scalp with pH 5.5
Unlike many other shampoos that contain high pH’s that irritate and dry the scalp, sebamed Anti-hairloss Shampoo is formulated at pH 5.5 which matches the natural pH of the skin. 

Why it matters

By combining these ingredients, sebamed Anti-Hairloss Shampoo helps wake up the scalp, keeps hair growing naturally and makes both the roots and strands stronger. In a 6-month German study, results showed that the telogen phase (shedding) decreased from 28% to below 20%, while 93% of users reported fuller hair and 90% saw a reduction in hair loss.