Hair shedding, loss, and slow hair growth can be frustrating and distressing, in particular if you feel like there’s nothing you can do to prevent your hair from falling out, filling up your hairbrush, or clogging the shower. 

Some 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.

Sometimes in life hair loss is more conspicuous. If you have been quite stressed, experiencing poor health or if you recently had a baby, then you may notice significant hair loss. I recall my running my hands through my hair in the shower after having a baby and whole clumps of hair just lifted out of my scalp, leaving me with fistfuls of hair, which was very stressful at the time.

Greater than average hair shedding may be a sign of a systemic problem. Many factors contribute to daily hair loss, including nutrition, stress, hygiene, and hair styling. The good news is it can be addressed.

We’re here to walk you through everything you need to know about hair shedding, and to help you manage any excess hair shedding. 

Hair Shedding vs Hair Loss:

Hair shedding is distinct from hair loss. Hair loss is the total and complete loss of hair. Hair shedding is reversible and is typically a sign that you’re either using the wrong hair care products, or your scalp health is suboptimal, or that you are possibly 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.

Factors Which Cause Hair Shedding:

Aging: There are thousands of hairs on your head, and each is at different stages of their overall lifespan. As we age, the anagen (growth) phase can shorten. Hair shifts into the resting stage faster, leading to increased shedding, hair loss and thinning of hair. Hormonal changes occur as we age, which leads to increased levels of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) which can weakens and shrinks the hair follicle, and reduces circulation at the scalp, contributing to hair loss and thinning.

Post-Partum: Hair loss and thinning is very common post-partum. Now that your body is focused on recovering from pregnancy, and on producing milk for your baby, it has more important things to do than prioritise your hair. Pregnancy and caring for a newborn are also not particularly compatible with resting and enjoying a good, uninterrupted nights sleep, so when you add sleep debt and stress, you can expect to experience hair loss at this life stage.

Anxiety, Stress and Sleep Debt:  Anxiety, stress, fear and poor sleep lead to increased cortisol levels, which influence the hair to prematurely exit the anagen phase and enter into the shedding phase.

Nutritional Deficiencies: A diet low in zinc, iron, vitamin A, B6 &12, C, D, E, biotin, folic acid and natural collagen boosters can also lead to hair thinning and loss.

Genetics: Genetics determine your hair colour, texture, density and general hair loss patterns.

Unhealthy products/ingredients: Ingredients including synthetic chemicals, fragrances and silicones can weaken, dehydrate and damage hair, block pores and irritate the scalp, creating a suboptimal environment for hair growth. Weakened, dry and fragile hair is more likely to shed and fall, leading to increased hair loss too.

How Much Hair Shedding Is Normal?

Humans lose roughly 50 to 100 hair strands daily, so don’t panic when you see a few hair strands dropping out when you’re in the shower or brushing your hair.

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. 

Boosting Healthy Hair Growth:

Boosting hair growth requires both good overall health and wellbeing and a balanced, healthy, high-functioning scalp environment. It is best to be well-rested, nourished and hydrated for your health and hair growth to thrive. Some simple but impactful changes can improve your overall health and wellbeing.

Try to reduce stress and improve your sleep patterns where possible. Speak to your GP to eliminate any health related causes for your hair loss. Take and make moments of calm when you can. Go for walks. Focus your energy on things you can control, not things you can’t. Try restful nature sounds to help get you to sleep (but otherwise no tech before bed). Eat green vegies every day and keep up your water intake.

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.

We can’t control our genetics and we can’t always control our life circumstances, but we can take steps to enhance our general wellbeing with physical activity, good nutrition, hydration and sleep.

Scalp treatments you can use to stop hair shedding:

Applying topical botanical treatments which are scientifically-proven to effectively boost hair growth, and which are nutrition-rich will promote a healthy environment for hair growth, enabling your hair to stop shedding and boosting hair growth.

Topical treatments such as Restore Scalp & Hair Therapy Oil, Restore Hair Food Oil and Restore Scalp Therapy Spray deliver a complex range of vitamins, minerals and growth-boosting factors which reduce inflammation, reduce DHT, deeply nourish, boost circulation, reduce hair loss and promote hair growth.

These treatments will create a healthy scalp environment and address the symptoms of poor hair health (shedding follicles, irritated scalp, damaged cuticles, split ends). Anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties heal and soothe the scalp reducing irritation and hair loss. Powerful, scientifically proven botanicals reduce DHT, minimising hair loss and promoting hair growth. Essential vitamins and minerals from kakadu plum, biotin, spirulina, green tea powder and multi-vitamins nourish the hair and scalp, strengthen and support healthy hair growth.

Hairstyles to Avoid

If you have ongoing problems with hair shedding, avoid hairstyles that pull at your hair, including tight buns, braids, cornrows, and ponytails. Instead, opt for looser styles such as claw clips, or keeping your hair up in a low bun or ponytail. Aim for loose hairstyles which do not pull and tug at your hair and which aren’t tight.