Noticing more hair in your brush? A widening part that wasn’t there before? Hair thinning can initially feel subtle until it’s all you can see. For many men and women, thinning hair isn’t just a cosmetic concern—it’s emotional. It impacts confidence, self-image, and how we appear in the world.
But here’s the thing: hair thinning is incredibly common, and in many cases, it’s both understood and treatable. The key is knowing what type of thinning you’re dealing with and what’s causing it.
In this blog, we’ll discuss the different kinds of hair thinning, what triggers them, and how to regain control of your scalp and strands.
What is hair thinning?
Hair thinning is a gradual reduction in the density or thickness of hair strands, often leading to less volume, a visible scalp, and a more fragile hair texture.
Unlike complete hair loss or bald patches, thinning hair doesn’t always fall out entirely—it becomes finer, sparser, and sometimes weaker over time.
Common causes of hair thinning include:
- Genetics (most commonly androgenetic alopecia)
- Hormonal shifts (postpartum, menopause, thyroid imbalances)
- Stress (emotional or physical, triggering telogen effluvium)
- Nutritional deficiencies (iron, protein, B12, etc.)
- Scalp conditions (seborrheic dermatitis, psoriasis, inflammation)
- Styling damage (heat, chemical treatments, tight hairstyles)
- Medications or medical treatments (like chemotherapy)
Hair thinning can affect men and women of all ages. It can also affect confidence and self-image, social interactions, and mental health, especially if it’s sudden or severe.
Women usually experience diffuse thinning, meaning the hair becomes thinner all over, particularly around the crown or part line, but not complete bald spots. This often ties closely to hormone fluctuations caused by menopause, PCOS, or postpartum, iron deficiencies, crash dieting, or stress-related shedding, which can delay regrowth.
Conversely, men typically experience pattern baldness, often with a receding hairline or thinning at the crown. This is largely genetic and driven by DHT (a hormone derived from testosterone).
Types of hair thinning
There are several distinct types of hair thinning, each with different causes, patterns, and implications. Here’s a breakdown of the main types:
- Androgenetic alopecia (pattern hair loss) is generally caused by genetics and hormones, specifically DHT sensitivity. It’s gradual and progressive and can affect both men and women.
- Telogen effluvium is hair loss triggered by a stress response to illness, surgery, childbirth, crash dieting, or emotional stress. It presents itself as diffuse thinning all over the scalp. This kind of hair thinning is sudden, usually two to three months after the trigger, and is typically temporary. It’s more common in women than in men.
- Traction alopecia is caused by repetitive tension or strain on the hair follicles from tight hairstyles (braids, ponytails, extensions). It commonly presents in thinning or bald patches around the hairline and temples. Hair loss is gradual, but it may be permanent if tension occurs.
- Anagen effluvium disrupts hair growth during the anagen (growth) phase, often due to chemotherapy or toxic exposure. This type of hair loss, including eyebrows and body hair, is rapid and widespread. It’s sudden and dramatic but can regrow once the trigger is removed. Anagen effluvium typically affects cancer patients or those on strong medications.
- Diffuse thinning can be due to aging, poor scalp health, low iron/ferritin, vitamin D or B12 deficiency, or hormonal shifts. It’s often uniform and slow and subtle, with no clear patches. Diffuse thinning is often seen in perimenopausal or postpartum women or those with chronic health issues.
Early signs of hair thinning
Hair thinning is easy to catch early if you’re looking for the right signs. Some common signs of hair thinning include:
- Wider part line, where you notice more scalp visibility along your part line.
- Seeing more hair on your brush or pillow from increased shedding after brushing or while sleeping
- Loss of volume where hair appears flatter and less bouncy, even after styling.
- Noticeable thinning around temples or crown, with more areas being affected than others
- Scalp sensitivity, dryness, or itchiness caused by weaker roots
How to respond to early signs of thinning
In most cases, hair thinning is temporary, and if caught early, it’s reversible. A few actions you can take to respond to early signs of hair thinning include:
- Switching to gentle hair care products, specifically sulfate-free, nourishing products with ingredients that support hair growth.
- Focusing on scalp health to promote strong hair growth.
- Considering at-home treatments like red-light laser therapy.
- Avoid overstyling by minimizing heat, tight hairstyles, and harsh treatments.
- Adjusting diet and lifestyle to prevent hair loss through supplements, hydration, and stress management.
If signs persist or worsen, consider seeing a trichologist or dermatologist for professional help.
Catch It Early, Care for It Right
The first step in hair thinning is understanding the why, whether it’s stress, hormones, styling habits, or genetics. Once you do, you can start exploring how to care for your scalp, support your follicles, and create an empowering path, not a defeating one.
Thicker, healthier hair starts with informed action, and your journey back to confidence begins here.