Hair loss in adults: understanding before acting

Stopping hair loss in me and women in their thirties Understanding hair loss (ages 30–45)

Article written and reviewed by a pharmacist graduated from the Faculty of Paris

Purpose of this article

This article aims to help you:

  • understand why hair loss occurs

  • distinguish normal shedding from abnormal hair loss

  • avoid common misconceptions

  • know whether your situation may be reversible

This content is intentionally educational and reassuring.

1) The normal hair growth cycle (simple explanation)

Each hair follows a natural cycle with three phases:

Growth phase (anagen)

  • Lasts 2 to 6 years

  • Hair actively grows

  • 80–90% of hairs are in this phase

Transition phase (catagen)

  • Lasts a few weeks

  • Growth stops

Shedding phase (telogen)

  • Lasts 2–3 months

  • Hair falls out to make room for a new one

➡️ Losing 50 to 100 hairs per day is normal.

2) When hair loss deserves attention

Hair loss should be monitored if:

  • it is sudden

  • it lasts more than 2–3 months

  • it is diffuse (hair thinning everywhere)

  • it leads to visible thinning

  • it occurs after:

    • intense stress

    • illness

    • prolonged fatigue

    • restrictive dieting

In many cases, the hair follicle remains alive.

3) Temporary vs progressive hair loss

Temporary hair loss (often reversible)

  • stress

  • fatigue

  • nutritional imbalance

  • illness

  • post-infection

➡️ Hair regrowth is possible once the cause is corrected.

Progressive genetic hair loss

  • slow onset

  • specific areas (temples, crown)

  • hormonal influence

➡️ It cannot be cured, but it can often be slowed and stabilized.

Many people experience a combination of both types.

4) Common myths to forget

❌ “Washing hair too often causes hair loss”
❌ “Shampoos make hair fall out”
❌ “Once it starts, it’s irreversible”
❌ “A miracle product will fix everything”

Hair loss is multifactorial, never magical.

5) The most important message

Hair loss is not inevitable.
In many cases, it can be slowed, stabilized, or partially reversed
when the main cause is properly identified.

This will be the focus of the next article.