Have you noticed more hairs on your pillow or hairbrush than usual? You may worry about female hair shedding or loss. There’s a difference between the two, and we’ll discover what it means and how to handle it in this article.
How Much Female Hair Shedding Is Normal?
Hair shedding is considered normal and happens for many reasons. However, the issue is when you notice more than average clogging the shower or in your brush after swiping gently through the tresses. These could be caused by many things, and there are treatments that will help address the problem.
Your follicles cycle in their own time, which means roughly 100 hairs are falling out each day. This sounds like a lot, but most people have about 100,000 to 150,000 on their head, so that’s only 0.001 percent.
To determine if you have a normal amount of female hair shedding, it’s important to focus on the four growth phases:
- Anagen – Your hair starts to grow.
- Catagen – The follicle begins to transition.
- Telogen – The follicle is at rest.
- Exogen – The hair starts shedding.
Generally, those periods of growth (anagen and catagen) last five to seven years. Then, the follicles relax before the hair falls out.
Each strand of hair is in a different phase; otherwise, people would go bald every couple of years. Shedding is related to every person’s normal growth cycle, which is healthy and normal.
However, there could be external factors relating to abnormal hair shedding amounts.
Excessive Hair Loss
You should be concerned about female hair shedding if you have one or more of these symptoms, too:
- You lose hair when you run your fingers through it.
- You notice hair all over the car or on your pillowcase.
- You see significant amounts of hair in your shower drain when shampooing or conditioning.
- You notice a decrease in the thickness or density of your hair or ponytail over a period of three to six months.
What Causes Hair Shedding in Women?
Beyond the normal cycle, there’s a long list of potential triggers for shedding and hair loss, such as:
- Poor diet or nutrition
- Medications
- Hormonal changes
- Stress
- Medical issues, such as vitamin/mineral deficiency and thyroid dysfunction
Genetics is the primary cause of hair loss, but many women experience shedding through a lack of nutrients and stress. You may also notice it more after giving birth, changing your birth control dosage or type, and during menopause.
Ways to Prevent Hair Shedding in Women
Learning what causes female hair shedding is the first step, but now you want to prevent it from happening. Though it’s normal in many cases, you may notice more of your tresses on the pillow or otherwise not on your head. Here are a few things you can do:
1. Eat a Healthy Diet
Eating a well-balanced and healthy diet can promote beautiful hair. Your tresses require protein, fat, minerals, and vitamins to look their best. Stock up on lean meats, vegetables, and seafood, avoiding processed foods whenever possible.
Eggs and avocadoes have tons of healthy fats and vitamins, while spinach contains iron that will carry those red blood cells to the scalp to promote new growth. You should also eat things with vitamin C, such as peppers, tomatoes, and oranges, to produce collagen for healthy follicles.
2. Lower Your Stress Levels
Keeping your stress level low can help your overall health and hair. Though it’s easier said than done, you can try yoga, stretching, writing in a journal, or enjoying a warm bath to relax and unwind.
Women don’t realize how much energy is necessary for their nails and hair to grow. The body doesn’t consider them a top priority, so you can expect female hair shedding during emotional and physical stress.
3. Avoid “Tighter” Hairstyles
If you often wear a tight ponytail, you might experience female hair shedding. Heat and chemical treatments can also be part of the problem. Typically, doing these things will stress the follicles, leading to more fallout.
The biggest sign that you’re pulling your hair into a tight ponytail is breakage near the hairline or where it’s secured. Try a looser style and change things up periodically. Alternating your hairstyle allows the follicles time to recover and also gives you a new look!
4. Get Plenty of Sleep
Sleeping for eight hours is a luxury many women don’t feel they have. However, it’s crucial if they want to enjoy beautiful hair.
Melatonin is a hormone that regulates your sleep cycle, but it does more. If you lose out on rest, your stress levels might rise, increasing oil production and reducing hair growth.
5. Use a Scalp Treatment
The best preventative measure to prevent female hair shedding is focusing on scalp care. A weekly pre-shampoo treatment will stimulate your follicles and help them retain vitality and strength.
While there are countless products on the market, you don’t have to spend money to treat your scalp. Simply massage your head in all directions before applying shampoo.
Using a hair regrowth treatment is also helpful. These shampoos are relatively inexpensive and can be used daily to help you achieve longer tresses.
6. Be Kind to Your Scalp
When touching or washing your hair, be as gentle as possible. It’s wise to stop using hot tools, bleach treatments, coloring products, and heat exposure, as well.
Balding women often use habits that will contribute to shedding. Even washing aggressively or brushing the wrong way can cause this problem.
7. Take a Supplement
Hair growth for women doesn’t have to be difficult. Taking a supplement is often the best solution, though choosing the perfect one can be challenging. Vitamins Revive can offer thicker fuller tresses in just two months!
Final Thoughts on Female Hair Shedding and What to Do
Before rushing out and buying a ton of shampoos and other products, it’s important to understand female hair shedding and its causes.
Shedding is normal for most women, but it can get out of hand because of everyday stresses, not getting enough vitamins, and more.
A supplement could be the solution you seek, and Vitamins Revive is here to help. Our hair growth vitamins for women can start working in as little as two months, helping you achieve stronger, longer tresses and a vibrant healthy looking hair.
