Understanding Hair Thinning in Women
Hair thinning can be emotional, confusing, and frustrating but it's more common than most women realise. Hair is influenced by a combination of internal and external factors, from hormones and nutrition to stress levels and scalp health, when these internal factors are out of balance the body deprioritises hair health to support the areas of the body that need it more.
The good news? Once you understand the causes of hair thinning, you can start taking simple, sustainable steps to support your hair health from root to tip.
Let’s break down the most common causes of hair thinning, and most importantly what you can do to start seeing change.
The Most Common Causes of Hair Thinning.
Hormonal Changes
Hormonal changes are one of the leading causes of hair thinning in women as they play a direct role in regulating the hair growth cycle.
Life stages such as pregnancy, postpartum recovery, perimenopause and menopause can all shift hormones levels, which may shorten the active growth phase and increase shedding. Conditions like PCOS can also affect the balance of hormones that influence follicle behaviour.
How to support hair thinning linked to hormones: Prioritising sleep, balanced nutrition and stable blood sugar levels can help support hormonal balance.
Stress
Stress is a major trigger for hair thinning in women as it directly influences the hair growth cycle. Elevated Cortisol (the stress hormone) can push follicles into the resting phase earlier than expected, a response often referred to as telogen effluvium. This is why shedding frequently follows periods of illness, emotional stress or physical burnout.
How to support hair thinning linked to stress: Incorporating regular nervous-system resents such as movement, breathwork or mindful downtime can help regulate stress responses. Scalp massage may also support circulation and relaxation simultaneously.
Nutritional Deficiencies
Hair is a fast-growing tissue, which means it requires a steady supply of nutrients. Protein, Iron, Zinc, Vitamin D and Biotin all contribute to follicle function and hair strength. When intake is inconsistent, whether due to busy lifestyles or dietary restrictions, hair can become finer, shed more easily and hair thinning may become more noticeable over time.
How to support hair thinning linked to nutritional deficiencies: Whole-food nutrition should always be the first focus. When dietary intake is difficult to maintain, targeted supplementation designed for hair thinning in women can help provide consistent internal support.
Inflammation
Inflammation is the body's natural response to stress or illness, in short bursts it's helpful, but when it becomes ongoing it can start to affect other systems including the scalp and follicles.
Ongoing inflammation can disrupt the follicle environment and weaken the growth cycle, which may contribute to hair thinning over time. Strands can appear finer, growth may slow, and shedding can become more noticeable.
How to support hair thinning linked to inflammation: Prioritising quality sleep, managing stress levels and incorporating antioxidant-rich foods such as berries, leafy greens and healthy fats can help maintain balance.
Ageing & Collagen Decline
Ageing is a natural process, and with it comes gradual shifts in collagen and keratin production. Collagen helps maintain scalp structure and elasticity, while keratin forms the building blocks of each strand.
As these levels decline, hair can become more fragile and less anchored at the root. This slow structural change is a common contributor to age-related hair thinning, particularly around the crown and part line.
How to support hair thinning linked to ageing: Consistent protein intake, antioxidant nutrition and scalp-stimulating routines such as massage can help maintain strand strength and resilience over time.
Lifestyle Load
Hair is often one of the first visible indicators of lifestyle imbalance. Poor sleep quality, high alcohol intake, smoking, pollution exposure and prolonged stress all increase the body’s overall load. When the body is under constant pressure, resources are redirected toward essential systems, and hair growth may receive less priority.
This is why hair thinning in women can sometimes appear during demanding life periods, even when diet or hormones haven’t dramatically changed.
How to support lifestyle-related hair thinning: Consistency is more impactful than perfection. Small daily habits like improved sleep, hydration, gentle exercise and mindful downtime can positively influence the hair growth cycle over the long term.
Scalp Health Issues
Your scalp is the foundation of healthy hair growth. When it becomes dry, flaky, inflamed or congested, follicles can’t function at their best. Over time, this imbalance can contribute to weaker strands and visible hair thinning.
Pollution, product build-up, harsh cleansers and even weather changes, from cold winters to hot, dry summers, can all disrupt the scalp environment.
How to support scalp health: Regular cleansing, gentle exfoliation and hydration help maintain a healthy scalp barrier.
Incorporating targeted scalp treatments into your routine such as a scalp scrub, scalp tonic and a scalp serum can also make a noticeable difference.
Consistent scalp care improves circulation and creates a more supportive environment for stronger growth, helping reduce the likelihood of hair thinning over time.
Supporting Hair Growth Long-Term
Now you understand the root causes behind hair thinning in women, the focus shifts to consistent, whole-body support.
Small daily habits including balanced nutrition, stress management, scalp care and consistency work together to maintain a healthier growth cycle over time.
For women wanting additional support alongside these habits, Advanced+ Hair Formula is designed as a multi-active supplement that takes a whole-body approach to hair health, by supporting the root causes of hair thinning such as inflammation, stress, hormones, ageing, lifestyle, nutrition and metabolism it supports stronger, fuller growth from within.
