Written by Ella, our Cosmetic Formulation Scientist. Lovingly translated from science-speak to real-life (italic call outs) by our other Co-Founder, Maisie
You might notice it in the shower, on your brush, or when your ponytail suddenly feels thinner. Hair that once grew easily now seems slower, lighter, or just different. It can be a worry, but most of the time it’s simply your hair cycle doing what it always does, shifting between phases of growth, rest, and shedding. Sometimes that process can get a little out of sync.
When the growth phase (anagen) ends too soon, more hairs shift into rest or shedding mode at once. This can show up as thinning or increased hair fall. On the other hand, when follicles stay in the resting phase (telogen) for too long, new growth doesn’t begin as it should.
In other words, hair loss and regrowth are two parts of the same cycle
Understanding what pushes follicles out of growth, and what helps bring them back in, can make a real difference to how you care for your hair.
What Can Disrupt the Hair Growth Phase (Anagen to Telogen)
Several everyday factors can interrupt this balance and shorten the time your hair spends actively growing:
Inflammation
Chronic inflammation around the follicles can interrupt their function and trigger premature shedding. It is often linked to scalp irritation, barrier imbalance, or prolonged stress, and can become more common over time or during hormonal changes when the scalp barrier is more reactive.
Hormonal Changes
Fluctuations in oestrogen, progesterone, thyroid hormones, or DHT can shorten the growth phase. These shifts are particularly common during pregnancy and the months that follow, through perimenopause, and into menopause, when hormone levels naturally fluctuate.
Stress
Emotional or physical stress can increase cortisol levels, which pushes follicles into the resting phase too early. It can happen at any time of life but is especially common during major transitions such as postpartum recovery or the perimenopausal years, when the body’s baseline stress levels are already heightened.
Nutritional Deficiencies
Hair relies on a steady supply of protein, vitamins, and minerals. If nutrients such as iron, zinc, vitamin D, or biotin are low, the follicles may not have the resources they need to stay in growth mode. This is often seen after pregnancy, during breastfeeding, or in midlife when absorption and dietary needs can shift.
Sleep and Circadian Rhythm
Hair follicles follow a biological schedule that reflects your internal body clock. Poor or inconsistent sleep can throw that timing off, slowing growth and increasing shedding. New parents, shift workers, and anyone experiencing hormonal sleep changes may notice this most.
Medications and Health Factors
Certain medications, including chemotherapy and some hormonal or thyroid treatments, can interrupt cell renewal and push follicles into resting mode earlier than usual. Health conditions that alter hormone balance or nutrient absorption can have a similar effect.
While many factors can push follicles out of growth, the good news is that they can return to activity once the scalp is supported and the body has regained its balance.
What Can Reactivate Hair Growth (Telogen to Anagen)
There is no single switch that restarts growth overnight, but there are ways to help encourage the process and support the scalp while it finds its balance again. Often, the most effective habits are the ones that can be done at home, consistently, and without feeling like another task on an already full list.
Consistency is key. The hair cycle can last years but progress happens each day, little by little. You have to apply the same mindset to your actions.
At Maze, we see this as a moment of care that fits into real life, the few minutes in the shower that are yours. These small rituals help keep the scalp environment stable, allowing follicles to move naturally back into growth, whatever life stage you’re in.
Everyday Techniques (simple and realistic)
· Better Blood Flow - Improving circulation supports follicle health and helps resting follicles return to growth. Even light movement or a walk outside boosts blood flow and oxygen delivery to the scalp. It is gentle, free, and ideal for busy routines, especially in the months after pregnancy when time and energy are limited.
· Scalp Massage - Just a few minutes of massage during shampooing can make a real difference. The combination of touch, warmth, and movement encourages blood flow, eases tension, and helps follicles stay active. It is a low-effort ritual that fits naturally into your wash routine, and it is one of the simplest ways to reconnect with yourself.
Topical and Nutritional Support (accessible and effective)
· Follicle-Supporting Ingredients - Ingredients such as saw palmetto, ginseng, and quercetin can help reactivate follicles and support the scalp’s equilibrium. In Maze formulations, we focus on ingredients that keep the scalp balanced while being gentle enough for hormonally sensitive stages like postpartum or perimenopause. The goal is not to overwhelm the scalp, but to nurture it so that healthy growth can resume.
· Nutritional Support - Hair reflects what is happening inside the body. Nutrients such as iron, zinc, vitamin D, and marine proteins help maintain strength and density, particularly when the body is recovering from pregnancy or adjusting to hormonal change. A balanced diet, hydration, and regular meals often do as much good for hair as any supplement.
· Light Therapy - Low-level red light therapy has been shown to help awaken resting follicles, but it is not essential for results. For many women, especially in the early months postpartum, simple consistency with cleansing, gentle scalp care, and regular nourishment can have just as much impact.
Why At-Home Care Matters
Not every approach requires clinical intervention or high-cost treatments. Some of the most effective forms of care are the ones you can do at home, built into your everyday routine.
In fact, for hair loss triggered by a woman's natural life stage cycle (therefore something that will rebalance over time), it is likely unnecessary to jump straight to medical grade ingredients - situation dependent of course.
Hair growth depends on consistency more than intensity. Treatments that require time, appointments, or large investments can help, but the small daily moments such as washing, massaging, and conditioning are where real stability starts. They regulate the scalp, calm inflammation, and create the right conditions for hair to grow stronger again.
This is the space Maze was built for. Our approach is about turning the everyday routine into a moment that supports both your scalp and your state of mind. Because even the smallest rituals can bring a sense of calm and consistency, helping both you and your hair find balance again.
Hair loss can look different at every life stage, but the underlying need stays the same - stability. Maze exists to support that.
Our philosophy is rooted in life-stage haircare, recognising that changes like postpartum shedding or perimenopausal thinning are driven by biology, not by anything you’ve done wrong.
In practice, it’s haircare you can rely on through every transition. It’s gentle enough for sensitive scalps, effective enough to make a visible difference, and simple enough to fit into your daily ritual.
Guiding Your Hair Back to Balance
Hair growth is not linear. It moves through phases of activity, rest, and renewal, influenced by hormones, health, and the stage of life you’re in. The goal is not to control these shifts, but to understand them and give your scalp what it needs to stay steady through each one.
From simple habits like massage and mindful washing to products that support the scalp environment, every small step helps your follicles stay balanced and ready for growth.
At Maze, we create haircare that fits into real life. Each formula is designed to work with your biology, not against it, bringing consistency to your routine and calm to your scalp. Because stability is where stronger, healthier hair begins and where confidence follows.
References:
Natarelli, N. Gahooniam N. Sivamani, R. (2023). Integrative and Mechanistic Approach to the Hair Growth Cycle and Hair Loss.
** Note**
Let us introduce our style.
Our blog is written by Ella, our Co-Founder and Cosmetic Formulation Scientist, who shares the science behind your hair.
Maisie, our other Co-Founder, adds the ‘hair for dummies’ translations (in italic call-outs) to keep things understandable and easy to follow.
