How to Reduce Hair Shedding and Stimulate Growth

Hair shedding, loss, and stunted hair growth can be a real damper on your confidence. When you experience excessive hair shedding, it can be frustrating to feel like there's nothing you can do to prevent your hair from falling out, filling up your hairbrush, or clogging the shower. 

For the most part, hair shedding is normal. The average person sheds roughly 100 hair strands daily, so don't panic when you shower and notice a few strands come out. However, if you ask yourself, "why is my hair shedding so much?" or you start to see a steady increase in shedding that appears to be well over 100 strands, it may be a sign of a bigger problem.

There are literally tens of thousands of hairs on your head, and they’re all at different stages of their overall lifespan. Hair grows and dies in stages, and many things contribute to daily hair loss, including nutrition, stress, hygiene, and hair styling.

We're here to walk you through everything you need to know about hair shedding, so you can adjust your lifestyle and stop the shedding from turning into permanent hair loss. 

Here's everything you need to know: 

Hair Shedding vs. Hair Loss

Hair shedding is a condition where your hair sheds more than usual, unlike hair loss, which is the total and complete loss of hair. Hair shedding is reversible and is typically a sign that you're using the wrong hair care products or not getting enough nutrients in your diet. 

Hair loss is a sign of something more serious and is not always reversible. Symptoms of this frustrating condition include thinning hair on the crown of the head, patchy bald spots, or all-over hair loss, which suggests a problem with the stunted growth of individual hair follicles.

What Causes Hair Shedding?

Hair shedding has several causes, but some changes are more preventable than others. As long as you don't experience symptoms like patchy hair loss, the causes of hair shedding are typically reversible. 

Before consulting with a healthcare professional or looking into treatments, try and isolate the cause of your hair shedding. 

Here are four causes of excessive hair shedding: 

You are more likely to suffer symptoms if your mother or father suffered from hair shedding or hair loss issues. Commonly referred to as the "balding gene," hereditary hair loss affects both men and women and can lead to male pattern baldness.

If your hair is shedding but there are no signs of balding, you can adjust your lifestyle, diet, or hair care routine to prevent balding.

Your hair health may suffer when you're overly stressed or fail to prioritize a well-balanced diet. Telogen effluvium is the clinical name for hair shedding caused by a lack of nutrients. A diet lacking in nutrients can stunt the growth of your hair follicles, leading to an increase in shedding. 

Thankfully, this is reversible and won't lead to hair loss if you make lifestyle changes and commit to adding supplements to your diet.

Women are more susceptible to hair shedding and hair loss during and after pregnancy due to changes in hormones, menopause, or a change in contraceptives. When women experience a decrease in estrogen, their bodies undergo a shock phase for about 3-4 months after childbirth. 

If you're a woman experiencing ongoing hair shedding after four months, you may want to consult with your doctor. 

When you constantly pull your hair back in a tight bun or ponytail, the excessive stress on your hair can lead to traction alopecia. Perms and hot-oil treatments can also cause this hair loss type. If you notice excessive hair shedding when you pull your hair out of a ponytail, consider switching to a hairstyle that causes less tension. 

If you regularly take prescribed medications, it makes sense to check the side effects, as hair loss or hair shedding may be on the list. Medicines that may cause hair loss or shedding include anabolic steroids, blood thinners, medications high in vitamin A, anti-depressants, or drugs for arthritis, heart problems, or high blood pressure.

How Much Hair Shedding is Normal?

Humans lose roughly 50 to 100 hair strands daily, so don't panic when you see hair strands dropping out when you're in the shower or brushing your hair. Start worrying when you notice excessive hair shedding at an abnormal rate.

A great way to tell if your hair is shedding more than usual is to put your hair into a ponytail. If your hair feels less thick and dense than it once did, or you need to wrap the ponytail around a few extra times, it may mean you're shedding excessive hair.

Another way to confirm excessive hair loss is to run your fingers through your hair. If the hair comes out in clumps rather than a few strands here or there, it may be hair loss. 

Different Scalp Treatments That Can Help

Prevention is vital if you experience ongoing hair loss. With the right hair care products and nutrients, you can maintain your mane and keep your hair looking its best. Here are a few scalp treatments you can use to learn how to stop hair shedding:

A reliance on drugstore products is likely the reason why you don't see results. These products often contain sulfates, parabens, and polyethylene glycol, which can exacerbate your hair-shedding problem.

Instead, switch to a product like The Shampoo, our clean formula powered by TFC8®. This clinically proven formula supports keratin production for improved hair structure and can boost hair thickness. For the best results, pair it with The Conditioner.

When you experience excessive hair shedding, consider adding a supplementary product to your hair care routine. A hair mask is an ultra-hydrating hair care essential that can help keep your hair looking and feeling its best. We suggest using a hair mask at least once weekly for the best results. Also, keep an eye out for ingredients like avocado, coconut, or argan oil. 

This innovative serum is a nourishing and renewing topical treatment for hair shedding, loss, and thinning, which can help stimulate regrowth and prevent shedding. 

Apply it directly to your scalp every day for the best results. During our 12-week clinical trials, participants noted that The Scalp Treatment helped increase hair count by 22%.

Rosemary is a well-known essential oil commonly used for hair loss treatments. Regular use as part of your hair care routine can stimulate hair growth and keep your hair follicles strong. Rosemary oil also helps promote nerve growth, improve circulation, and stimulate hair growth.

If you struggle with excessive hair shedding, hair loss, or bald spots, apply rosemary oil directly to your scalp with your fingers or a scalp massager. You can also add a few drops to your shampoo for everyday use. 

Looking for a non-topical treatment? Consider adding a dietary supplement to your daily routine. This particular supplement is clinically proven to help with hair thinning, shedding, and loss and contains an innovative blend of hair-loving superfoods to combat hair problems. 

When you experience excessive hair shedding or hair loss caused by a poor diet, this is an excellent diet add-in that stimulates hair growth and produces visually healthier-looking hair. 

If you have ongoing problems with hair shedding, avoid hairstyles that pull at your hair, including tight buns, braids, cornrows, and ponytails. Also, avoid sleeping in rollers! Instead, opt for looser styles – try throwing your hair up in a claw clip, keeping it in a low bun, or twisting it into a low braid. A low ponytail is also a versatile hairstyle to prevent hair loss as it’s not as tight as a regular ponytail.

How to Stop Hair Shedding with Augustinus Bader

When you experience the frustration of hair loss or shedding, you need the right hair care products to deal with the ongoing damage. Luckily, you can get to the root of the problem with the proper nutrients. 

At Augustinus Bader, we have an extensive collection of haircare products to prevent shedding and maintain your hair's natural beauty.

Start shopping today.