Hair Loss FAQs

Everything people ask us about hair loss, thinning, and how to use the Herbal Hair range. If your question isn't covered, get in touch and we'll answer it directly.

Understanding Hair Loss

What causes hair loss?

The most common cause for both men and women is heredity. Either or both parents can pass on the gene responsible, and men tend to be more susceptible to hereditary loss because of the role testosterone plays in the process. Beyond genetics, hair loss is frequently triggered by hormonal changes such as pregnancy, menopause or thyroid problems, by nutritional deficiencies, particularly low iron, and by significant physical or emotional stress. Certain medications, rapid weight loss, chemotherapy and radiation can also cause hair to fall out. Working out which of these applies to you matters, because temporary causes respond very differently to hereditary ones. Our guide on why your hair might be falling out covers each in detail.

How much hair loss is normal?

Losing between 50 and 100 hairs a day is completely normal and part of a healthy growth cycle. Most people never notice it because the hairs are replaced as they go. What tends to prompt concern is a clear change from your own normal: noticeably more hair in the shower drain, clumps on the brush, a ponytail that feels thinner, or more scalp visible in bright light. If you're seeing that kind of shift, it usually points to a trigger rather than the everyday cycle.

Can hair loss be reversed?

It depends entirely on the cause. Temporary shedding brought on by stress, illness, surgery or childbirth, known as telogen effluvium, usually reverses on its own once the trigger has passed, though it can take six months or more for thickness to return. Hereditary pattern hair loss is progressive rather than reversible, so the realistic goal there is slowing it down and supporting the hair you still have. Hair loss caused by nutritional deficiency often improves once the deficiency is corrected.

Can thinning hair grow back?

In many cases yes, particularly where the thinning is recent and the follicles are still active. Follicles that have been dormant for many years are far less likely to produce new hair. This is why acting early tends to give better results than waiting, and why supporting the scalp matters even before thinning becomes obvious.

Is male pattern hair loss different from female pattern loss?

Yes, and they follow distinct patterns. Male pattern loss typically starts with a receding hairline and thinning at the crown, and can progress to more extensive baldness. Female pattern loss is usually more diffuse, showing as a widening parting and general thinning across the top of the scalp, while the frontal hairline normally stays intact. Because the patterns differ, so does what people notice first.

What are the main patterns of hair loss?

There are four common presentations. Diffused thinning spreads evenly across the scalp. Crown thinning shows as an O-shaped patch at the top of the head. Frontal loss affects the hairline and temples. Alopecia areata appears as distinct round patches. Recognising which pattern you have helps you understand what's happening, and it affects how much tonic we recommend using.

Does stress really cause hair loss?

Yes, and the link is well established. Significant physical or emotional stress can push large numbers of hairs into the resting phase at once, which then shed together a couple of months later. That delay is why many people don't connect the two. The shedding usually settles once the stress has passed. Our post on whether hair loss can be caused by stress goes into more depth.

Can diet affect my hair?

Considerably. Hair is made largely of protein, and growing it demands a steady supply of nutrients. Low iron is one of the most common deficiencies linked to shedding, particularly in women, and shortfalls in certain vitamins can have a similar effect. Crash dieting and rapid weight loss are also frequent triggers. If you suspect a deficiency, it's worth getting bloods done rather than guessing, and our guide on vitamin deficiencies and hair loss explains what to look for.

Caring for Your Hair

How often should I wash my hair?

For most people with thinning or shedding, two to three washes a week works well. Washing itself does not cause hair loss. The hairs you see in the shower had already entered the shedding phase and would have come out regardless. What matters more is what you wash with: harsh, stripping shampoos can leave the scalp irritated over time, which works against healthy growth. Our Anti Hair Fall Shampoo is designed to be used twice a week.

Is it dangerous to shampoo every day?

Daily washing won't cause hair to fall out, but it can leave the scalp dry and stripped if you're using something harsh. If you prefer to wash daily, choose a gentle, scalp-focused formula rather than a strong detergent-based shampoo.

Does scalp massage help hair growth?

Massage is thought to encourage circulation to the scalp, bringing oxygen and nutrients closer to the follicles. It also helps tonics absorb rather than sitting on the surface. It's not a standalone solution, but as part of a routine it's a genuinely useful habit and costs nothing but a few minutes.

What natural remedies can I try?

Scalp massage, a diet with enough protein and iron, managing stress, and avoiding tight hairstyles and excessive heat all support healthy hair. Traditional Chinese herbal preparations have been used for centuries to nourish the scalp, which is the tradition behind our Hair Loss Prevention Scalp Tonic. No natural remedy works overnight, so consistency matters more than any single ingredient.

What helps female thinning hair?

Start by identifying the cause, since hormonal changes, iron deficiency and stress are particularly common triggers in women. Postpartum shedding is normal and usually temporary. Alongside addressing the underlying cause, gentle scalp care and a consistent herbal routine give the follicles the best support. Avoid tight styling that pulls on the hairline, which can cause its own damage over time.

Do tight hairstyles cause hair loss?

They can. Persistent tension on the hair, from tight ponytails, braids or extensions, can cause traction alopecia, particularly around the hairline and temples. Caught early it's reversible, but sustained tension over years can damage follicles permanently. If you wear your hair up regularly, varying the style and keeping it loose helps.

Using the Herbal Hair Range

Which products should I start with?

Most people begin with the Anti Hair Fall Shampoo and the Hair Loss Prevention Scalp Tonic, since together they cover everyday washing and daily scalp treatment. From there you can add the Scalp Cleanser and Hair Growth Tonic to complete the cycle.

How much tonic should I use?

It depends on the severity of your hair loss. For moderate thinning, use 10ml of tonic once a day, either morning or evening. For more severe loss, use 20ml in total split across morning and evening. Start with the Hair Loss Prevention Scalp Tonic on its own for the first two weeks before introducing the others.

What order should I use the products in?

Start with the prevention tonic for two weeks at 20ml a day. Then switch to the Scalp Cleanser at 20ml a day for one week to clear the follicles. Finish with the Hair Growth Tonic at 20ml a day for one week to feed the scalp and encourage regrowth. Repeat that cycle over a couple of months. The full routine, including the shampoo, is set out in our how to stop hair loss guide.

How long before I see results?

Give it at least three months of consistent daily use, and be prepared for six months before judging fully. Hair grows roughly a centimetre a month and the growth cycle simply doesn't move faster than that. Anyone promising visible regrowth in weeks is overselling. The people who see the best results are the ones who stay consistent rather than the ones who use more product.

Can I use the tonics together on the same day?

The routine is designed as a sequence rather than everything at once, which is why we recommend two weeks of prevention tonic, then a week of cleanser, then a week of growth tonic. That said, the products are complementary and using more than one in a day won't cause problems. Following the cycle simply gives each stage time to do its job.

Are the products suitable for men and women?

Yes. The entire range is formulated for both, and the herbal approach isn't gender specific. The main difference is dosage, which depends on how advanced the thinning is rather than on gender.

Can I use the supplement alongside the tonics?

Yes, and many people do. The Hair Growth Supplement works from the inside while the tonics work on the scalp, so they complement each other as an inside-and-out approach.

Will it work for hereditary pattern baldness?

Pattern baldness is progressive and driven by genetics, so results vary and no herbal routine will stop it entirely. What the range can do is support scalp health and help reduce shedding, which for many people means holding onto the hair they have for longer. Our post on how TCM approaches pattern baldness explains the difference in thinking.

Practical Questions

When should I see a doctor?

Speak to a doctor or trichologist if your shedding comes on suddenly and heavily, appears in distinct patches rather than spread across the scalp, continues for more than six months, or arrives alongside other symptoms such as fatigue or changes to your periods. These can point to an underlying condition that benefits from specific treatment.

How do I contact you?

Email info@herbalhair.com or use our contact page. If you're unsure which products suit your situation, tell us what you're experiencing and we'll point you in the right direction.