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Shedding a lot of hair - Find out why and the solution here!

by Lotte Lindgren on Jan 30, 2020

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Dorthe Kristensen

Read through by Dorthe Kristensen

Hairdresser and former co-owner of the award-winning hairdressing chain Zoom by Zoom
With many years of experience in the hairdressing industry, Dorthe has advised many customers about hair and hair care. Dorthe has read through this blog entry to ensure high quality and professionalism. This blog post is professionally updated on November 19, 2024.

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Does your hair shed a lot? - Therefore you lose a lot of hair

Many women experience hair shedding more or less throughout their lives. It's like the hairs follow you everywhere you go. It's everywhere from your pillow to clothes, it clogs the drain and your hairbrush is full of hair. You actually wonder how much hair you actually lose.

How many hairs do you normally shed?

The average person has about 100,000 to 150,000 hairs on their head. The latest studies show that you normally lose between 50-100 hairs a day. This is a normal part of the hair growth cycle, and the amount of shedding can vary from person to person. It may sound like a lot, but it doesn't even make up 1% of your hair.

Women with curly hair tend to shed more hair than women with straight, thick, fine or thin hair. This is because women with curly hair naturally have more strands of hair than others and are therefore more exposed. Women with long hair will also have a greater tendency to experience hair shedding than women with short hair, because the daily stress on the hair is greater. Understanding the difference between hair shedding vs hair loss is key – shedding is typically temporary, while hair loss might indicate a more permanent issue.

Hair Brush full of hair

Hair shedding vs. hair loss

Hair shedding and hair loss are often used interchangeably, but they refer to two different processes in hair health. Hair shedding is a natural and temporary part of the hair growth cycle, where old hair falls out to make room for new strands. On average, it's normal to shed between 50-100 hairs a day as part of the body’s regular renewal process.

On the other hand, hair loss is typically a more permanent condition. Hair loss can be caused by a variety of factors, including genetics, hormonal imbalances, medical conditions, and long-term stress. Unlike shedding, hair loss often results in thinning or bald spots that don’t resolve without intervention.

The key difference is that shedding is temporary and can be reversed as part of the natural cycle, while hair loss may require treatment or lifestyle changes to manage and prevent further damage.

Understanding this distinction can help you assess your hair health and determine whether you're experiencing a normal shedding phase or dealing with more serious hair loss. If you notice that the shedding persists or increases significantly over time, it might be a good idea to consult a healthcare professional to rule out potential causes of hair loss.

Hair growth cycle - How your hair grows

The hair is subject to some natural prerequisites which are the following.
Hair has 4 phases:

Anagen phase - The growth phase

The first cycle is the Anagen phase, which is the growth phase. The growth phase or the anagen phase, where the hair grows for 3-6 years. 90% of your hair is in this phase. In this phase, new cells are formed at the root of the hair follicle, which push up through the epidermis and dermis layers of the skin to form new hair strands.

Catagene phase - The transition phase

Then comes a transition phase or also called the catagen phase, which lasts 2-3 weeks. The catagen phase occurs when hair growth slows down significantly or stops altogether. In this transitional phase between the anagen and telogen phases, the lower part of the hair follicle begins to shrink and detach from the blood supply, resulting in a shortening of the length of the hair shaft. This typically lasts for approx. 10 days, but can vary from two to four weeks.

Telogen phase - the resting phase

The third part of the cycle is called Telogen, which is also known as the resting phase, where no further growth occurs. During this period, your hair stays put until it is ready to be shed naturally from your scalp. It usually takes between three and four months for this to happen.

Exogenous phase - the expulsion phase

Finally, we have the exogenous phase, which is also known as the shedding phase because it is the phase where old hair falls out due to normal shedding or aggressive brushing/combing/styling habits that pull out more than normal amounts of hair. This usually lasts for a few days but can last up to 8 weeks depending on individual factors such as genetics, diet or general health etc. After the hair removal is done, new hair will start growing back in its place so don't worry, if you notice some thinning during this period! It's completely natural and nothing to worry about - just make sure you take good care of your scalp and regular shampoo and conditioner.

When the hair goes into the resting phase earlier, it means that the growth phase is reduced. The hair therefore lives for a shorter time and therefore cannot grow as far as otherwise.. You therefore want to optimize your growth phase of the hair, as it is crucial for the health of your hair in the long term.

Sådan ser hårets vækstcyklus ud

Read this post to learn more about the causes and how to avoid shedding more hair than usual.

Why is my hair shedding so much? - Causes of hair loss

There can be many different reasons why you shed/lose more hair than usual during certain periods of your life. This is primarily due to either a physical or psychological impact on the body. Hair loss can also prove to be hereditary.

Stress

One of the biggest reasons for hair shedding and/or hair loss is illness and stress. It really takes a toll on the body's resources. Our hair is incredibly sensitive to physical and psychological influences. However, the hair loss usually only appears after approximately 3 months after the end of the illness or stress period. The hair tends to find its way back into a normal rhythm again and therefore not something that will last longer.

Woman with stress and hair loss

Pregnancy

Another major cause of hair loss can be during and after pregnancy. This is where your hormonal system really kicks in and you produce a larger amount of male hormones during pregnancy. However, it will stabilize again after birth. This hormonal fluctuation causes hair to enter the shedding phase prematurely, and once hormones stabilize, hair returns to its natural cycle. This means that when your hormonal level drops, your hair will not get the same nutrition, which means that many of your hair will fall out. You can read more about hair loss during pregnancy here.

Diet plays a big role

Another reason for hair shedding could be your diet. It is most often a reason for your hair to fall out. The diet is absolutely essential for your hair to achieve its normal structure and thereby remain healthy. It is about getting a handle on which vitamins and minerals and proteins your hair needs. If you cannot get this need covered, your hair follicles will not be able to maintain a normal state and will make your hair dull, frizzy and thin. You can read more about vitamins and minerals for hair here.

What vitamins and minerals am I lacking if I shed a lot of hair?

If we look into scientific findings, a lack of the vitamin biotin and the mineral zinc will have an effect on your hair, and can cause it to shed. These are recognised for their effect on maintaining normal hair. Here are some scientific findings to support this.

Scientific Results on Biotin
A study published in the Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology in 2016 showed that women who experienced hair loss benefited from biotin supplementation. Participants in the study showed a significant improvement in hair growth after 90 days of daily biotin supplementation. Furthermore, biotin is important for the production of keratin, the protein that hair is made of. A study in Dermatology Research and Practice highlighted biotin's role in keratin production and its potential benefits in promoting normal hair growth.

Scientific Findings on Zinc
A study published in the Annals of Dermatology in 2013 examined the link between zinc levels and hair loss in people with alopecia areata, an autoimmune disorder that causes patchy hair loss. The results showed that patients with alopecia areata had significantly lower zinc levels compared to the control group, suggesting that zinc deficiency may be a contributing factor to hair loss in these patients. Another study in the International Journal of Trichology in 2016 showed that zinc supplementation in patients with telogen effluvium, a condition characterised by diffuse hair loss, led to improvement in hair growth.

However, it is important to emphasise that there can be several different causes of hair loss that may be partially or fully responsible. It is therefore always a good idea to identify the cause so that you can get started with the optimal treatment.

Healthy hair - this is what it looks like

A good way to check your hair is to use 2 or more mirrors. Here you can examine your hair structure and how the different parts of your hair feel. You should look at how your hairs are on the neck and around the scalp, compare them with the locks of hair. Here you can see if your hair has a uniform appearance. It indicates that the hair is doing well. Conversely, if there is a big difference in the different structures, in relation to thickness or that it is shiny, it may indicate that your hair has not been too good at one point or another.

Another way to check your hair can also be by checking how you shed. Monitoring your hair shedding can give you insight into the health of your hair. You can do this by looking at the lost hair and looking for a lumpy mass at the root of the lost hair. This mass indicates that the hair has gone through the full hair cycle. That's why you don't have to worry about cutting too much. If, on the other hand, it is without a lumpy mass at the root, you should consider what you can do to shed less hair. We give you some suggestions here.

How to stop hair shedding

Vitamins and minerals

Vitamin deficiency can be a reason because the hair does not get the nutrients it needs to function normally. If your diet is not optimal, it can affect your hair, as the body does not get the nutrients it needs to maintain normal hair.

If you really want to have normal hair, you have to think about both the external AND internal care of the hair. The internal care can be just as important for the health of your hair. Eg. does biotin play a role in maintaining normal hair, which is found in our hair vitamins.

Styling - Avoid tight hairstyles and excessive use of hair products.

Styling is one of the biggest reasons why your hair falls out a lot. It puts your hair under enormous stress. Excessive styling can lead to hair shedding, as it puts your hair under enormous stress, weakening its structure over time.

You can help your hair a lot by sparing it the most tiring styling methods and hairstyles. We have made a guide to the gentlest hairstyles for your hair here. By reducing your exposure to products such as hair spray or a heating iron, you preserve the structure of your hair and do not destroy its cycle. One of the obvious damages from styling products is that the hair breaks because the structure becomes so fragile. You can also consider switching to more neutral products, to ensure that your hair is exposed to the least possible harmful substances.

A bonus tip can be to avoid using hair clips or hair elastics that contain metal. It breaks your hair just as quietly and makes your hair structure more fragile. Metal hair accessories can cause friction, leading to hair breakage and more shedding over time, making your hair more fragile.

Avoid hormonal imbalances and stress

It may sound very simple, yet also difficult. But hormonal imbalances are one of the biggest culprits in relation to your hair's growth. The reason is that stress or hormonal imbalances disrupt your hair growth cycle and cause more hair to go into the resting phase. Therefore, you must try as far as possible to avoid, for example, being stressed for a longer period. Periods of stress can be difficult to handle. Therefore, it can be a good idea to tear a whole day out of the calendar to clear your thoughts and your head. In addition, you can also consider implementing yoga or meditation in your everyday life. It doesn't have to be a long time, a little actually makes a big difference to your stress level.

Wash your hair right to minimize shedding

Are you using the wrong products for your hair? Many women are not 100% aware of their hair type, but choosing the right products for your hair type can significantly reduce hair shedding, as it ensures your hair gets the right nourishment and care it needs to stay healthy. Instead, they may use a shampoo for normal hair, where one should perhaps have used one for dry hair.

In addition, it will also be very essential to get a conditioner that suits your hair type. The 2 extra minutes in the bath with conditioner in it can do wonders for you and your scalp. Among other things, this makes the hair easier to comb out, which spares your hair strands and follicles. It seals your hair which makes it more resistant to everyday influences.

It can be decisive in terms of providing optimal external nourishment to your hair roots. By managing this and your diet, you ensure both an external and internal effect, which should show good results on your hair after a few months.

Another good piece of advice is how to dry your hair. Here, you must not twist your hair too hard, as this can destroy the scales in your hair, which help to protect your hair. Instead, you should hug your hair gently, it is more gentle on your hair. This gentler drying method helps to minimize mechanical damage that can lead to increased shedding and breakage.

We can definitely recommend the Grow and Glow series to those who want to control hair loss. The series contains ingredients that have been shown in studies to reduce hair loss by up to 89% after 150 days of use. If you are experiencing significant hair shedding, incorporating a proven product like this series can help support healthier hair growth and reduce further loss. If you want to read more about the ingredient Capilia Longa and its results, read here.

Product recommendations for minimizing hair shedding

Suddenly seeing your hair start to fall out or seeing a large amount of hair in your hairbrush can be a tough experience for many. Shedding hair can be triggered by many things, so one solution may not work for everyone. However, here are our suggestions on which products you can start with in your attempt to shed less. These product recommendations focus on nourishing your hair and scalp, supporting natural hair growth, and strengthening your hair to minimize excessive shedding.

Hair vitamins

A hair supplement is often a good solution if you start shedding hair. One of the causes can be vitamin deficiency, which can be triggered by many different things. We've been developing our hair vitamins for several years and now believe they are among the best on the market. You get a delicious strawberry-flavoured gummy with a high content of biotin and zinc, which help maintain normal hair. It also contains a lot of other vitamins and minerals such as Vitamin C, Vitamin B6, Vitamin B12, Vitamin E, folic acid and bamboo extract which is a rich source of silica. The product is free from gluten, lactose, gelatine and sugar.

An effective hair serum for hair shedding and loss

Our Grow and Glow serum is formulated with the well-known ingredients Capilia Longa and Amaranthus Candstus Seed Extract, which are known for their effects against hair shedding loss and strengthening of both hair growth and the hair shaft.

In addition, the serum contains a combination of several active ingredients that provide the scalp with a gentle exfoliation that maintains the scalp microflora. This reduces the tendency for oily hair and scalp. By maintaining a healthy scalp environment, this serum helps minimize shedding caused by scalp imbalances and promotes optimal hair health.

The product is unisex, so it can be used by both men and women. A sure winner in the fight against hair loss.

Powerful hair mask with care and moisture

One of the reasons why you shed a lot of hair can also be because your hair is dry, damaged and therefore simply breaks. It is therefore very important to use a hair mask at least once a week to ensure your hair gets the care, moisture and nourishment it needs. Regular use of a nourishing hair mask can help reduce hair shedding by improving the strength and hydration of your hair, restoring its natural health.

We highly recommend our Grow and Glow hair mask, which contains Capilia Longa and Amaranthus Caudatus Seed Extract as well as ingredients such as rosemary leaf extract, hydrolysed wheat protein, keratin and biotin. We've packed all the best you can get into this hair mask to ensure the best conditions for your hair. The hair mask provides strength, conditioning, moisture and helps repair damaged hair by up to 80%.

Heat protection for your hair

Do you often expose your hair to heat? Then a heat protection spray for hair is a must in your hair routine. It can be essential for keeping hair healthy and strong and minimising damage. Exposing your hair to high temperatures without protection can increase hair shedding, as heat damages the hair shaft, leading to breakage and weakened strands.

We recommend our Heat Protection spray, which is heat protective up to 220 degrees, UV protective and silicone free. This spray provides a shield that not only protects against heat but also helps maintain your hair’s moisture balance, reducing the risk of hair shedding caused by dryness or damage.

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