Hair Loss 101
Start here. How hair grows, why it sheds, and what is worth paying attention to, explained in plain language and reviewed by board-certified dermatologists.
Begin with step 1 ↓Your guided path
Four short steps, in order.
How hair grows
Every strand moves through a growth phase, a short transition and a resting phase. Knowing the cycle makes shedding far less alarming.
Shedding vs. thinning: what is normal?
Losing hair every day is expected. Here is how to tell a normal shed from a pattern worth a closer look.
What causes hair loss
Hormones, medication, nutrition, stress and everyday habits can all disrupt the cycle. Learn how each one shows up.
When to see a dermatologist
Two signs mean you should book a visit instead of waiting it out.
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Every strand moves through a growth phase, a short transition and a resting phase. Knowing the cycle makes shedding far less alarming.
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Losing hair every day is expected. Here is how to tell a normal shed from a pattern worth a closer look.
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Hormones, medication, nutrition, stress and everyday habits can all disrupt the cycle. Learn how each one shows up.
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Two signs mean you should book a visit instead of waiting it out.
Words you will see in the Hub
Plain-language definitions for the terms dermatologists use.
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Telogen effluvium
Temporary, diffuse shedding that usually shows up a few months after a trigger such as childbirth, illness or rapid weight loss.
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Androgenetic pattern
Hereditary, gradual thinning, often noticed as a widening part or a receding hairline.
Learn more -
Ferritin
A blood marker of the iron your body has stored. Low levels are a common, checkable factor in shedding.
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Growth phase (anagen)
The active phase when the follicle produces hair. It can last for years.
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Resting phase (telogen)
The phase before a hair naturally sheds and the follicle starts again.
Learn more
