HAIRCARE

How to Stop Excessive Natural Hair Shedding

How to Finally Stop Excessive Natural Hair Shedding

Shedding some hair each day is normal and expected - in fact, shedding 50-100 strands per day is perfectly within the realm of healthy hair. However, if you're noticing significantly more hair fall or excessive shedding, it could indicate an underlying issue that needs to be addressed. Excessive shedding, if left unchecked, can lead to thinning hair, bald spots, and even permanent hair loss over time.

There are several potential triggers for excessive natural hair shedding, including hormonal changes, stress, nutritional deficiencies, harsh hair care practices, medical conditions, and genetics. Identifying and treating the root cause is key to stopping the excessive shedding and getting your hair health back on track.

What Causes Excessive Hair Shedding?

Hormonal Imbalances
Fluctuations in hormones can drastically impact hair growth cycles and lead to excessive shedding. Some common examples include pregnancy, postpartum, menopause, thyroid disorders like hypo- or hyperthyroidism, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and starting or stopping hormonal birth control use.

Stress
High levels of psychological stress create a rise in cortisol that can trigger excessive shedding by prematurely pushing more follicles into the resting or “telogen” phase. Major life stressors, physical trauma or illness, poor sleep, and chronic psychological stress can all contribute to this issue.

Nutritional Deficiencies
Not getting enough of key nutrients like protein, iron, zinc, biotin, vitamin C, and vitamin D can disrupt the hair growth cycle and density over time. Nutritional deficiencies often stem from very low-calorie diets, dietary restrictions, poor gut health, or medical conditions that impact nutrient absorption.

Harsh Hair Care
Excessive use of heat styling tools, chemically straightening or relaxing treatments, very tight hairstyles like braids or ponytails, over-manipulation from brushing or styling, and physical or mechanical damage can all traumatize and weaken hair follicles leading to increased shedding.

Medical Conditions
Certain medical conditions are directly linked to excessive hair shedding and hair loss. This includes autoimmune disorders like alopecia areata, scalp infections like ringworm, iron-deficiency anemia, thyroid issues, and occasionally cancer treatments like chemotherapy.

Genetics
For some individuals, excessive shedding and thinning hair is primarily driven by genes and family history of hereditary hair loss patterns like androgenic alopecia or female pattern baldness.

Tips to Stop Excessive Shedding

1. Identify the Root Cause
The first step in stopping excessive shedding is pinpointing the underlying reason why your hair is shedding at an excessive rate. Visiting a dermatologist for hormonal testing, bloodwork, scalp examination, pull tests, and other evaluations can help reveal the trigger.

2. Adjust Your Hair Care Practices
If your excessive shedding seems to be stemming from harsh hair care practices, it’s time to switch to a gentler regimen. Use less heat styling, minimize or avoid chemically straightening or relaxing treatments, be very gentle when detangling, and properly protect hair while sleeping by covering it or using a silk/satin pillowcase.

3. Manage Stress
Since stress is a major contributor to excessive shedding, it’s important to find ways to keep your stress levels in check. Practicing yoga, meditation, deep breathing exercises, and making time for relaxing activities can all help prevent hair-shedding stress.

4. Boost Nutrition
Ensure you’re getting adequate amounts of protein, iron, zinc, biotin, vitamin C, vitamin D and other key nutrients that promote hair growth and strength. If bloodwork reveals any deficiencies, supplement accordingly and focus on a nutrient-dense diet.

5. Try Hair Growth Treatments
For areas experiencing excessive shedding or thinning, use topical treatments containing ingredients like 2% ketoconazole, pumpkin seed oil, rosemary oil, or minoxidil (rogaine) which can help block DHT and stimulate new growth. Low-level light therapy with laser combs or laser caps may also help.

6. Consider Medication
If your excessive shedding is hormonal or stems from a medical condition, your doctor may prescribe medication to help regulate hormones or treat the underlying issue.

7. Use the Inversion Method
An alternative technique that some find helpful for excessive shedding is the inversion method. This involves massaging the scalp while hanging upside down for 2-4 minutes per day to increase blood flow to follicles and potentially reduce shedding.

8. Be Patient and Consistent
With any excessive shedding treatment plan, patience is key. It can take 6-12 months to see full regrowth and notice significant results as new hair cycles through the growth phases. Consistency with the treatment plan is also crucial to allowing new hair to properly regenerate.

If excessive shedding persists for over 6 months despite your best efforts, it’s a good idea to seek medical guidance from a dermatologist or trichologist (hair/scalp specialist). They can run additional tests, try different treatment approaches, and rule out any larger underlying health issues.

While excessive shedding can certainly be frustrating and demoralizing, there are solutions that can help get it under control with some strategic lifestyle adjustments, treatments, and a proactive plan. By addressing the root cause, making hair health a priority, and using clinically-proven regrowth methods, you can absolutely overcome this vexing hair issue.