Diffuse hair loss: when your hair gets thinner all over
More hair in the drain, a thinner ponytail? Diffuse hair loss almost always has a trigger. Here's how to find it and how to care for your hair.
Diffuse hair loss means your hair falls out evenly across the whole head rather than in individual patches. There's usually a trigger behind it that happened a few weeks to months earlier: stress, an infection, a diet or a nutrient deficiency. And diffuse hair loss is often temporary.
How to recognise diffuse hair loss
- In the morning there's more hair on your pillow, in your brush and in the drain
- Your ponytail feels thinner
- More scalp shows through at your parting
- There are no bald patches, the hair just gets a little thinner everywhere
As a rule of thumb, up to around 100 hairs a day count as normal. If noticeably more fall out over several weeks, it's worth taking a closer look. More on this in How many hairs a day are normal?
The most common triggers
| Trigger | Typical |
|---|---|
| Stress, emotional strain | Exams, a break-up, a new job, sleepless weeks |
| Feverish infection, surgery | Hair loss around two to three months later |
| Strict diet | Too little energy and protein over a longer period |
| Iron deficiency | Often together with tiredness and paleness, see Iron deficiency and hair loss |
| After giving birth | Usually two to four months after delivery |
| Stopping or switching the pill | A few weeks to months later |
| Thyroid | Both an overactive and an underactive thyroid can play a role |
| Season | Many people lose more hair in autumn, see Hair loss in autumn |
Why it only happens weeks later
Every hair goes through a cycle of growth phase, transition phase and resting phase. A strong trigger sends lots of hairs into the resting phase at once. They stay there for around two to three months, then they fall out. That's why hardly anyone thinks back to that infection in spring when hair is stuck in the brush in summer. Experts call this telogen effluvium.
Diffuse, hereditary or patchy?
| Type | What it looks like |
|---|---|
| Diffuse | Even across the whole head, often after a trigger |
| Hereditary | Gradual; in men receding temples and crown, in women a wider parting |
| Patchy (alopecia areata) | Round, bald patches that appear suddenly |
Read more about the hereditary type in Hereditary hair loss.
Your care routine for right now
- Wash gently: A mild shampoo like our Every Day Shampoo pH 5.5 cleanses without drying out your scalp. Don't rub wet hair, gently squeeze it out instead.
- Treat your scalp: A few sprays of Hairforte Spray with Procapil, massaged in with your fingertips for 30 seconds. It feels light and fresh and absorbs quickly.
- Nourish from the inside: Xpecia comes with its own formula for women and for men. Biotin and zinc contribute to the maintenance of normal hair.
- Breathe: Sleep, time outdoors, an evening without your phone. Your hair grows around one centimetre a month, give it time.
An easy way to start is the hair routine set for women or the hair routine set for men. You'll find all products in our Hair loss category.
When should you see a doctor?
If the hair loss lasts longer than around three months, comes on suddenly and very strongly or you notice bald patches, have the cause checked. A blood test shows, for example, your iron stores and thyroid levels.
Frequently asked questions
Does hair grow back after diffuse hair loss?
In most cases, yes. Once the trigger is gone, the hair cycle usually finds its balance again within a few months.
How long does diffuse hair loss last?
Often a few weeks to a few months. The hair loss usually starts two to three months after the trigger.
Can stress cause diffuse hair loss?
Yes. Severe stress is one of the most common triggers. The hair then typically falls out a few weeks later.
What care suits diffuse hair loss?
A mild shampoo, a scalp spray as a daily ritual and nutrients from the inside. Biotin and zinc contribute to the maintenance of normal hair.