Hair loss is the number-one question we get on Instagram, and for good reason. Almost everyone experiences a change in their hair at some point, and the noise around what to do about it can be overwhelming. This guide pulls together the most common questions we hear in the chair and online, with the same answers we give our clients. You can either watch the videos or read through the blog below.
1. What actually causes hair loss?
Hair loss usually stems from a combination of factors rather than a single cause. The most common drivers are genetics (androgenetic alopecia), hormonal shifts (postpartum, perimenopause, thyroid changes), nutritional gaps (iron, vitamin D, protein), high stress, and inflammation at the scalp. Mechanical stress from tight styles, hot tools, and harsh chemical services compounds the problem by weakening the strands you already have.
On a deeper level, hair loss is caused by hardening of the collagen within the follicle. When that happens, the root (or bulb) of the hair no longer has a healthy home and eventually falls out. This is why keeping the collagen healthy, open, and supple is so important. A well-supported follicle environment gives the bulb of the hair the best chance to thrive. A proper diagnosis is always the starting point. Once we know the cause, we can build a plan that targets it directly.
2. How much shedding is normal?
Losing 50 to 100 hairs a day is considered normal. Hair grows in cycles, and a healthy scalp will always have a percentage of follicles in the shedding (telogen) phase at any given time. You may also notice an uptick in shedding during major seasonal changes, though there are ways to reduce that seasonal hair fall.
What matters more than the daily count is the trend. Noticeably more hair in your brush, on your pillow, or in the shower drain over a span of weeks is a signal worth investigating. It also helps to pay attention to where the loss is happening. If the hair is coming out from the root, that is shedding. If it is breaking at the midlengths, that is breakage, and these two issues require different approaches.
3. When should I see a professional?
Book a consultation if you are seeing a widening part, more scalp showing at the crown, a receding hairline, patchy bald spots, or shedding that has not slowed after three to four months.
If you are in the Toronto or Kelowna areas, we would love to see you at Pomme for a thorough consultation. If you are outside of those areas, we recommend finding your local Kerastase salon and booking a K Scan. This tool allows your stylist to examine your scalp under three separate lights, including a growth assessment, to determine whether the shedding you are experiencing is in alignment with your overall hair health and age. From there, your stylist will be able to give you a much clearer picture of what is going on, and if anything points to a deeper issue that goes beyond hair care, they can guide you toward the right next step.
4. Can I make my hair grow faster?
Technically, you can encourage faster growth by using stemoxidine, which works by waking up dormant follicles. As we get older, the time between hair growth phases gets longer and longer, and stemoxidine can help kick-start that growth phase sooner.
So while you cannot speed up how fast an individual strand grows, you can shorten the time between cycles and strengthen the hair so it does not break as easily. The result is that your hair retains more length and feels like it is growing faster, because in a practical sense, it is.
Watch Nicole break down what ingredients can wake up hair growth.
5. Do hair growth supplements work?
Supplements help when you are correcting a deficiency, for example, low ferritin, vitamin D, or B12. If your levels are already adequate, taking more will not produce more growth. Always see your healthcare professional before starting any new supplements.
Biotin is worth addressing specifically because it has become a major marketing trend. The truth is that most people are not deficient in biotin, and if your body does not need the extra, it will find a way to eliminate it. Most of the time, that shows up as breakouts. More is not always better.
6. What is the difference between density and thickness?
Density refers to how many individual hairs are growing per square inch of scalp. Thickness (also called diameter) refers to how wide each strand is. You can have high density with very fine strands, or low density with coarse strands. Both contribute to how full your hair looks and feels, but they require different strategies to address.
7. Can I actually increase my hair density?
You can recover density that has been lost to shedding, breakage, or miniaturization, and you can keep dormant follicles active. What you cannot do is grow brand-new follicles. You are born with all you will ever have.
The Youth Serum has been the most consistent driver of visible density change for our clients because it both supports the follicle environment and strengthens the cuticle so that existing hairs are not lost to breakage. For follicle activation specifically, stemoxidine (found in products like Densifique and Serioxyl) is the ingredient to look for.
8. How long before I see a density change?
Plan on a full hair cycle, typically three to six months, to see real density change. The first sign is usually less hair in your brush and shower drain. Around the eight to twelve-week mark, clients often start noticing baby hairs along the hairline and part. Visible fullness at the crown and temples tends to follow after that.
Consistency matters more than intensity here. A product like The Youth Serum, Densifique Cures and Serioxyl, used four times a week for six months, will outperform a product used daily for three weeks. Give it time and stay the course.
9. How do I tell breakage from shedding?
Look at the end of the hair. A shed hair has a small white bulb at the root, which is the follicle releasing it naturally at the end of its cycle. A broken hair has no bulb and is usually shorter than the rest of your length.
A lot of short, blunt hairs around your part, hairline, or crown almost always points to breakage. Breakage also tends to feel flaky, the strands will not be full from root to tip, and you will notice the hair is thinner at the ends and denser closer to the scalp.
10. Why is my hair breaking?
Breakage almost always traces back to a compromised cuticle, which is the protective outer layer of each strand. Heat styling, colour and chemical services, friction from rough towels and tight hairstyles, hard water, and lack of moisture all lift and erode the cuticle until the strand eventually snaps. Over-protein or over-moisturized routines can also tip the balance, which is why a well-rounded regimen matters.
Dryness is one of the leading causes of breakage, so keeping the hair hydrated is key. Switching to the Pomme towel which will make a real difference in reducing friction-related damage.
11. How do I strengthen the cuticle?
A strong cuticle is the single biggest factor in keeping length and reducing breakage. Use a heat protectant every time you style, lower your iron temperatures, and condition with cuticle-smoothing ingredients like ceramides, fatty alcohols, and silicones used sparingly. Incorporating a leave-in or serum that reinforces the strand adds another layer of protection.
The Youth Serum has been our standout here. Clients consistently report less breakage and a smoother, stronger feel within just a few weeks because the cuticle becomes more resilient.
12. Why does scalp health matter so much?
The scalp is skin, and just like the skin on your face, it can be dry, oily, inflamed, or congested. Buildup, inflammation, and microbial imbalance all interfere with the follicle’s ability to produce strong hair. A clean, well-circulated, and balanced scalp is the foundation that every other treatment, whether serums, supplements, or in-salon care, builds on. It is also worth noting that extreme lifestyle changes, shifts in diet, weight fluctuations, and health changes all show up in the scalp over time.
13. How often should I wash my hair?
There is no universal answer. Fine, oily hair often needs a wash every one to two days. Coarse, dry, or curly hair may stretch to once a week. The real signal is your scalp, not the calendar. If it itches, smells, or feels coated, it is time to wash.
Going too long between washes allows sebum to oxidize and bacteria to accumulate, which can trigger flaking and even contribute to shedding. As long as you are using proper home care, you can wash as often as your scalp calls for it. Nicole, for example, washes every day or every other day because of her fine, thin hair.
14. Should I exfoliate my scalp?
Most scalps benefit from exfoliation about once a week, whether that is a physical scrub, a chemical exfoliant like salicylic or lactic acid, or a clarifying treatment. Exfoliation removes product buildup, dead skin, and excess sebum, which keeps the follicle clear and the environment healthy.
Skip it if your scalp is currently irritated, broken, or sunburned, and avoid using physical scrubs immediately after a colour service.
15. What does a basic healthy-scalp routine look like?
Start by cleansing two to three times a week with a sulphate-free shampoo, or more frequently if your scalp tends to get oily. Exfoliate once a week, and during each wash, spend two to three minutes massaging the scalp to boost circulation. Follow up with a targeted scalp and strand serum applied to damp or dry hair to support the follicle environment.
Pair all of that with stress management, adequate protein intake, and consistent sleep. Your scalp is a reflection of your whole-body health, and the basics matter just as much as the products.
Still Have Questions?
If you have any questions, please feel free to leave a comment, dm @nicolepommehair or reach out to our team. We’re always here to help! [email protected]. Please allow up to 7 days for replies to DMs on Instagram.
Nicole Pidherny
Master Stylist & Founder
Nicole Pidherny, the owner of Pomme Salon, wanted to create not only a hair salon, but also a beauty hub for clients and residents in the city.
