You have about 100,000 hairs. Here are 100 of them.
Understand your hair loss before you treat it. Plain-language guides to why hair thins and sheds, and what actually helps. Every guide lists its sources.
Key
- Growinganagen86
- Changingcatagen2
- Restingtelogen12
- Falling outshed0
- Thinnedminiaturised0
- Empty follicleno hair0
Typical proportions, drawn for teaching. Not a measurement.
What’s happening to your hair?
Most hairs are growing, a few are resting, and losing 50–100 a day is normal. Choose what changed for you.
Start with how hair works
Plain-language guides. Each square is one minute of reading.
- The hair cycle, explained6 min read
- Pattern hair loss, explained9 min read
- Minoxidil: how it works and how to use it9 min read
- Finasteride: what to know before you start10 min read
- Hair loss in women6 min read
- What results really look like4 min read
Minoxidil, finasteride, red light and microneedling, side by side.
One figure = one month before you can judge whether it works.
| Treatment | Months until you can judge it | How it works | Where you get it |
|---|---|---|---|
| MinoxidilLotion or foam on the scalp | 6months | Keeps follicles in the growing phase longer. | Pharmacy, no prescription |
| FinasterideDaily tablet | 12months | Lowers DHT, the hormone that shrinks follicles. | Prescription only |
| Red lightCap, helmet or comb at home | 6months | Shines red light on the scalp. | Device |
| MicroneedlingTiny needles, usually with minoxidil | 3–6months Overprinted on minoxidil: the two are usually used together. | Tiny needles make small wounds that may help the scalp respond. | Device or clinic |
We explain; we don’t sell treatments.
Every guide lists its sources, shows when it was last updated, and says plainly when the research is thin.
- Checked in full 30
- Record checked, not every number 10