How to Stop Shedding Hair: The Ultimate Guide

Do you constantly find hair on your clothes and in your shower drain? If so, you're not alone. Hair shedding is a common problem, but that doesn't make it any less frustrating. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to stop the shedding and keep your locks looking their best.

In this guide, we'll discuss what causes hair shedding and outline some tips for preventing it. We'll also cover some of the best products for reducing hair loss. So whether you're dealing with a minor case of shedding or you're struggling with bald patches, read on for advice on how to solve the problem.

Why does hair shedding occur?

Hair shedding is a totally normal process. In fact, it's one of the ways your body protects itself from heat and cold as well as from damage caused by bacteria or fungus. Your hair can also shed if it doesn't receive enough essential nutrients, which may be the result of a poor diet or an underlying health condition.

One reason hair shedding might be a problem for you is if your hair loss has gotten worse over time. If you've always had a normal amount of shedding and it's suddenly increased, it could be caused by stress or menopause. This type of hair loss is usually temporary and should stop after the cause of the stress has subsided.

Is hair shedding normal?

Hair shedding in itself is not normal, but it happens to every one of us at some point. It becomes a problem when it's continuous and when the total amount lost in a period becomes significant.

How can you tell if something is wrong?

How can you tell whether you're having some hair loss or if you're just experiencing normal hair shedding? Here are some symptoms to look for:

Patchy hair loss 

Hair loss in circular patches might be caused by an underlying medical condition called alopecia areata.

Receding hairline 

The hairline begins to recede one of the first signs men notice as their hair thinning increases. This is an indication of androgenetic alopecia.

Thinness at the crown 

Visible thinness at the crown is another indication of excessive hair loss in men.

Widening part 

Hair loss in women is typically less obvious than in males since they lose hair all over rather than just on their top. However, a widening part is an undeniable indication of hair breakage for females.

Smaller ponytail 

Hair shedding is more common in women with longer hair if their ponytail or cute loose braid hairstyles diameter significantly decreases.

Extra hair falling out 

If you’re noticing more hairs than normal on your pillow, in your hairbrush, or in your shower drain, you may have excessive hair shedding.

Hair shedding vs. hair loss

Many people use the terms "hair shedding" and "hair loss" interchangeably, but they're not the same thing. Shedding is just one sign of hair loss. It's what happens when hair follicles gradually shrink to produce finer, shorter strands that are barely noticeable on your scalp or in your brush. Eventually, these hairs fall out and grow back at a different, random hair growth cycle.

Hair loss, on the other hand, occurs when your hair follicles become so damaged that they produce a smaller number of strands or stop producing them altogether. If you have bald patches on your scalp and you start shedding more hair than usual, this is an indication that your hair loss has progressed to the more severe "alopecia" stage.

Even if you don't have bald patches, your hair loss may still qualify as alopecia if your strands are noticeably finer or thinner than they used to be. You might also notice that your hair grows at a slower rate. If this is the case, make an appointment with your dermatologist so he or she can check your scalp for signs of infection, nutritional deficiencies, or other health conditions that may be the source of your hair loss.

Causes of hair shedding

Hair shedding is a common problem that can stem from a number of different sources. Mostly, hair shedding happens due to the causes that are listed below.

1. Stress

When you're under stress, your body produces excess amounts of cortisol. This hormone causes the hair follicles on your scalp to "tighten," which results in strands that are weaker and finer than usual. If you suffer from chronic stress or anxiety, this type of hair shaft loss becomes more pronounced over time.

2. Changes to your diet

Another leading cause of hair loss is a change to your diet. Some nutrients, such as biotin and iron, help keep your hair growth cycle healthy and growing at its normal rate. But if you're not eating enough protein-rich foods or leafy greens, you might notice that your hair shaft isn't as thick or as voluminous as it used to be. It also may grow at a slower rate.

3. Damage to your hair follicles

Your hair follicle is very fragile, so anything that damages them can cause strands to break off or fall out entirely. This type of damage is more likely to occur if you use harsh chemical treatments on your hair repeatedly without giving it time to rest in between sessions. Another common source of hair follicle damage is heat styling tools, such as flat irons and curling wands.

4. Scalp infections

You may notice that you're shedding hair at an unusually fast rate if you have a bacterial or fungal infection on your scalp. Ringworm is one type of infection that can cause hair loss. It's easily treated with antifungal or antibacterial shampoos and creams, but you may have to use these products for a few weeks before the infection clears up completely.

5. Medications

Many medications can cause your hair to thin out as well as become more susceptible to damage from brushing and styling because certain drugs interfere with the normal production of new hair cells. Some examples are chemotherapy medications, high blood pressure meds, and retinoids (a type of acne medication).

6. Iron or zinc deficiency

If you're not getting enough iron and zinc in your diet, you may notice that your hair is thinner than usual. It may even start falling out because the lack of these nutrients prevents hair follicles from growing new strands.

7. Thyroid problems

One reason why your hair could be falling out or thinning at an increased rate is because of a thyroid disorder. Your thyroid gland controls your metabolism, which helps determine how quickly your hair grows.

How to stop hair shedding

There are several ways to slow down the rate at which you're losing strands. If you want to know how to stop hair shedding, follow these simple steps.

1. Eat a balanced diet

Eat a balanced diet to make sure you're getting enough of the nutrients your body needs. Make sure you eat plenty of protein as well as leafy greens every day

2. Keep your scalp clean

Make sure you wash your scalp at least once per day with shampoo and warm water. If you have hairstyling products added to your hair, make sure you brush them out thoroughly before washing.

3. Don't pull or tug at your hair

Avoid brushing or tugging at the hair that falls out when you shower, comb your hair or style it. This will cause unnecessary damage because many strands are very fine and can break easily if you don't treat them with care.

4. Try over-the-counter remedies

Look for over-the-counter remedies that contain caffeine, emu oil, hair vitamins or both. These ingredients can help stimulate blood flow to your scalp and hair follicle to encourage new strand hair growth. Also massage your scalp regularly with natural hair oils such as coconut oil, jojoba oil, and olive oil and try to use a deep conditioning hair mask.

5. Ask your healthcare provider about supplements

Take daily hair vitamins or multivitamin that contains zinc and iron to help ensure your body is getting enough of these necessary nutrients. If a supplement isn't a good option for you, talk with your healthcare provider about an iron-rich diet or possibly taking an oral iron supplement.

6. Get enough sleep

Your body goes through a hair growth and repair cycle while you sleep. If you don't get enough shut-eye, your hair may fall out or become thinner because it's not getting the nutrients it needs to grow thick and healthy hair growth.

7. Turn down the heat

Curling irons and hair dryers can cause serious damage to your hair growth. If you're styling your hair frequently, it's a good idea to invest in some heat protection spray to help minimize the negative effects of these common sources of heat.

How long does it take for new hairs to grow?

Hair loss does not mean that all of your hair growth will be lost, it is possible to see new hair growth within several months. The amount of time it takes for your new hairs to start growing is different for everyone, but usually, they begin to appear after about three months.