If you’re like most people, you don’t like the idea of losing hair. In fact, shedding more than 100 hairs per day can be pretty alarming. Further, seeing hair all over your clothes, furniture, and bathroom floor can be frustrating and embarrassing. If you’re experiencing excessive hair shedding, don’t worry – we have some tips and tricks to help you stop it! This article will discuss the causes of excessive hair shedding and how to fix it. We’ll also provide some helpful tips on how to keep your hair healthy and strong. So whether you’re dealing with a little hair loss or a lot, read on for the best advice.
The best tips to stop excessive hair shedding are:
- Eat a balanced diet
- Take a supplement
- Reduce stress levels
- Avoid tight hairstyles
- Give your scalp a massage
- Use a soft brush
- Try caffeine-stimulating hair rinses
- Limit heat styling
- Use gentle hair care products
What is Hair Shedding?
Before we get into how to stop hair shedding, let’s first discuss what it is.
Hair shedding is when hair falls out from the root.
It can happen for various reasons, including stress, hormonal changes, and illness.
While it’s perfectly normal to shed around 50-100 hairs daily, anything more than that is considered excessive.
If you’re shedding more than 50-100 hairs, it’s essential to find the cause and treat it accordingly.
Hair Shedding vs. Hair Breakage
It’s important to note that hair shedding is different from hair breakage.
Hair breakage occurs when the hair shaft snaps in half.
Various factors, such as using heat-styling tools, chemical treatments, and over-brushing, can cause hair breakage.
Broken hair pieces tend to be shorter than shed hair, and you’ll usually see them near the ends of your hair.
If you’re unsure whether you’re experiencing hair shedding or hair breakage, look at the hairs you find on your brush, bathroom sink, or floor.
A shed hair strand will have a bulb at the root end. If not, it’s probably hair breakage.
Causes of Excessive Hair Shedding
Now that we’ve defined hair shedding, let’s move on to the causes.
Many different factors can contribute to excessive hair shedding. These include:
Exogen Hair Cycle Stage
The hair growth cycle has four stages:
- The anagen (growth) stage
- The catagen (resting) stage
- The telogen (resting) stage
- The exogen (shedding) stage
Most of our hair is in the anagen stage at any given time, but around 20-30% of hair is in the telogen phase.
The exogen stage is when hair follicles hair falls out.
It’s perfectly normal to lose around 50-100 hairs in the exogen stage, but anything more than that is considered excessive hair shedding.
Many different factors can cause the hair to enter the telogen phase prematurely, including:
- Stress
- Hormonal changes (due to pregnancy, childbirth, menopause, etc.)
- Illness or infection
- Thyroid disorders
- Medications (including beta blockers and antidepressants)
- Crash diets or severe malnutrition
- Autoimmune diseases
Physical trauma (such as hair styling) or chemical trauma (such as bleach, perms, or relaxers) can damage hair follicles. It can cause the hair to enter the exogen phase prematurely, leading to excessive hair shedding.
Stress
Stress can cause hair shedding by affecting the hair growth cycle.
When you’re stressed, your body goes into survival mode. This survival mode means that the body’s resources are focused on keeping you alive rather than on growing hair.
As a result, the hair may enter the exogen (shedding) phase prematurely.
You may also notice hair shedding if you’re experiencing physical or emotional stress, such as from a divorce, job loss, or the death of a loved one.
If you’re struggling with stress, there are many ways to manage it. Some coping mechanisms include:
- Exercise
- Yoga
- Meditation
- Deep breathing
- Spending time in nature
- Getting a massage
- Listening to music
- Spending time with friends and family
Lack of Nutrition
Crash diets or severe malnutrition can cause hair shedding.
When the body doesn’t get enough nutrients, it goes into survival mode. This survival mode means that the body’s resources are focused on keeping you alive rather than on growing hair.
As a result, the hair may enter the exogen (shedding) phase prematurely.
You may also notice hair shedding if you’re not getting enough protein, iron, or other nutrients.
Talk to your doctor or a registered dietitian if you’re concerned about your nutrient intake. They can help you create a healthy eating plan that meets your needs.
Alopecia Areata
Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disease that causes hair loss on the scalp and other body parts.
It can cause patchy hair loss or complete baldness.
While the exact cause of alopecia areata is unknown, it’s believed to be related to stress, hormonal changes, and other autoimmune diseases.
If you have alopecia areata, you’ll likely experience hair shedding in patches.
You may also see short, broken hair strands on your brush or in your hair.
Traction Alopecia
Traction alopecia is a type of hair loss caused by tight hairstyles.
Hairstyles that pull on the hair, such as cornrows, braids, and ponytails, can strain the hair follicles.
When repeatedly exposed to this type of stress, the hair follicles may stop growing hair.
Traction alopecia typically causes hair loss on the scalp, but it can also cause hair loss on the eyebrows and eyelashes.
If you have traction alopecia, you may notice hair shedding in patches. You may also see short, broken hair strands on your brush or in your hair.
Hormonal Changes
Hormonal changes, such as those that occur during pregnancy, childbirth, menopause, and thyroid disorders, can cause hair shedding.
During pregnancy, the increased levels of estrogen and progesterone can cause the hair to enter the anagen (growth) phase.
Being in the anagen stage can lead to thicker, fuller hair.
After pregnancy, the levels of estrogen and progesterone decrease, which can cause the hair to enter the exogen (resting) phase.
Being in the exogenous stage can lead to hair shedding.
Menopause, on the other hand, can cause hair thinning due to the decreased production of estrogen.
Thyroid disorders can also cause hair loss due to the hormonal changes that they cause.
Treatment for hair shedding caused by hormonal changes will depend on the underlying condition.
For example, hormone replacement therapy can treat hair shedding caused by menopause.
And specific medications can regulate thyroid hormone levels to treat thyroid disorders.
Signs of Excessive Hair Shedding
Excessive hair shedding is hair loss greater than the average amount of hair loss.
The following symptoms may indicate that you have excessive hair shedding:
- A receding hairline: This hair loss occurs on the forehead or temples.
- Patchy hair loss: This hair loss occurs in patches on the scalp.
- Thinning hair: This hair loss occurs throughout the scalp rather than in patches.
- Thinness at the crown: This hair loss occurs on the scalp’s top.
- Widening part: This hair loss occurs on the scalp, where you part the hair.
- Increased hair shedding: This is when you see more hair in your brush, pillow, or drain than usual.
You should see a doctor if you’re experiencing any of these symptoms. They can help determine the underlying cause and provide treatment.
Once your doctor has treated any underlying medical conditions or ruled them out, there are a few pro tips to stop excessive hair shedding.
How to Stop Excessive Hair Shedding
While some form of hair shedding is unavoidable, there are a few things you can do to stop excessive hair shedding.
Here are some tips:
Tip #1: Eat a Balanced Diet
Eating a balanced diet is essential for overall health, but it’s also vital for hair health.
Make sure to include plenty of protein, iron, and omega-three fatty acids in your diet.
Protein helps to build and maintain hair follicles. Iron helps to transport oxygen to the hair follicles.
Omega-three fatty acids help to keep the hair follicles moisturized.
Tip #2: Take a Supplement
If you’re not getting enough of certain nutrients from your diet, you may need to take a supplement.
For example, if you’re not getting enough iron, you may want to take an iron supplement.
And if you’re not getting enough omega-three fatty acids, you may need to take a fish oil supplement.
While supplements cannot replace a balanced diet, they can help to fill in any nutrient gaps.
Tip #3: Reduce Stress Levels
Stress can cause hair shedding.
Try to reduce your stress levels by:
- Exercising regularly
- Meditating
- Spending time with friends and family
- Doing things you enjoy
Tip #4: Avoid Tight Hairstyles
Tight hairstyles, such as ponytails, cornrows, and braids, can strain the hair follicles.
This strain can lead to hair shedding and hair breakage.
If you must wear your hair in a tight hairstyle, try to do so only for special occasions.
Also, make sure to give your hair a break between styles.
Tip #5: Give Your Scalp a Massage
Scalping can help to increase blood flow to the hair follicles.
This increased blood flow, in turn, can help to promote hair growth.
Wet your hands and massage your scalp in circular motions to give yourself a scalp massage.
Do this for five minutes every day.
Tip #6: Use a Soft Brush
Brushing your hair with a soft brush can help to reduce hair shedding.
Start at the bottom of your hair and work your way up.
Be gentle as you brush, and avoid pulling or yanking on the hair.
This tip can help stop excessive hair shedding and promote healthy hair.
Tip #7: Try Caffeine Stimulating Hair Rinses
Caffeine stimulates hair growth by blocking the effects of Dihydrotestosterone (DHT).
DHT is a hormone that shrinks hair follicles and leads to hair loss.
You can use black tea or coffee to make a caffeine hair rinse.
For a black tea rinse, steep 4 -5 black tea bags and let it cool overnight. Remove the tea bags, and pour the tea into a spray bottle.
For a coffee rinse, brew 2 – 4 cups of coffee. Avoid instant coffee as it contains preservatives and tends to be less potent.
Let the coffee cool down, and pour it into a spray bottle.
Spray the hair rinse onto your clean scalp and let it sit for 15 minutes. Rinse it out with cold water.
Do this once or twice a week for the best results.
Tip #8: Limit Heat Styling
Heat styling, such as straightening and curling, can damage the hair shaft and lead to hair breakage.
If you must heat style your hair, use a heat protectant spray and avoid excessive heat.
Also, try to limit heat styling to a few times a week.
Tip #9: Use Gentle Hair Care Products
Harsh hair care products, such as those that contain sulphates and parabens, can strip the hair of its natural oils.
These chemicals can lead to dryness, making the hair more susceptible to damage.
Instead, use hair care products that are sulphate- and paraben-free.
These products will help to keep your hair hydrated and healthy.
Related Articles:
- Heat Damage on 4C Hair: The Ultimate Guide
- 4C Natural Hair: How to Stop Breakage
- The Ultimate Guide to Hot Oil Treatments for 4c Natural Hair
Conclusion
If you’re struggling with hair shedding, try these tips and tricks.
By following these tips, you can help to stop excessive hair shedding and promote healthy hair growth.