{
  "url": "https://haircare.watermanshair.com/article/hair-shedding-management",
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  "markdown_url": "https://haircare.watermanshair.com/api/public/md/hair-shedding-management",
  "slug": "hair-shedding-management",
  "title": "Dealing with Hair Shedding: Understanding and Managing Normal Hair Fibre Release",
  "type": "general",
  "summary": "Learn about dealing with hair shedding, understanding the difference between normal hair release, breakage, and hair loss, and effective management strategies.",
  "excerpt": "Dealing with Hair Shedding involves understanding its natural causes and adopting practices to support healthy hair growth and retention.",
  "body_markdown": "**Quick answer:** Dealing with Hair Shedding involves recognising the natural cycle of hair growth, where 50 to 100 strands typically shed each day as part of renewal. Effective strategies focus on gentle hair care, stress management, and a balanced diet. It's important to differentiate shedding from hair loss or breakage, as dealing with hair shedding primarily addresses the normal turnover of hair fibres rather than a medical condition. While these approaches support overall hair health, they do not treat underlying medical causes of excessive shedding or hair loss.\n\n## Key takeaways\n\n* **Normal shedding is natural:** Losing 50 to 100 hair strands daily is a normal part of the hair growth cycle.\n* **Differentiate shedding from loss/breakage:** Shedding is the entire hair strand falling from the scalp, distinct from hair breakage (snapping fibre) or hair loss (follicular issues).\n* **Gentle care is crucial:** Avoid harsh brushing, tight hairstyles, and excessive heat styling to minimise stress on hair fibres.\n* **Lifestyle factors matter:** Stress, nutrition, and overall health significantly influence the hair growth cycle and shedding.\n* **Professional advice for excessive shedding:** If shedding dramatically increases or hair doesn't regrow, consult a healthcare professional to rule out underlying conditions.\n\n## Dealing with Hair Shedding: what the evidence shows\n\nHair shedding is a natural and necessary biological process, part of the hair growth cycle. Each hair follicle on your scalp goes through three main phases: anagen (growth), catagen (transition), and telogen (resting). At the end of the telogen phase, the hair fibre is naturally released from the follicle, and a new anagen hair begins to grow. This is what we call shedding.\n\nMost people shed between 50 to 100 hair strands daily. This number can vary based on individual hair density, washing frequency, and genetics. It's often more noticeable on wash days or when brushing, as these activities help to release hairs that are already in the telogen phase. Periods of increased shedding can sometimes be triggered by life events or changes in health.\n\nScientific understanding confirms that this regular turnover is vital for [maintaining a healthy scalp](/article/maintain-healthy-scalp) and ensuring continuous hair renewal. When the balance between shedding and new growth is disrupted, it can lead to noticeable thinning or changes in hair density. However, for most, dealing with hair shedding is about managing this natural process rather than trying to stop it entirely.\n\n### The Hair Growth Cycle and Shedding\n\nThe hair growth cycle dictates when and how hair sheds. Roughly 85 to 90% of your hair is in the anagen phase, which can last for 2 to 7 years. Only about 1% is in the brief catagen phase (2 to 3 weeks), and 10 to 15% is in the telogen phase (3 to 4 months). When a hair enters the telogen phase, its growth stops, and it rests in the follicle before being shed, making way for new growth. This natural process ensures the continuous renewal of your hair.\n\n### What can increase normal hair shedding?\n\nWhile some shedding is normal, certain factors can temporarily increase the amount of hair you shed. This is often referred to as telogen effluvium, where a higher than usual percentage of hairs prematurely enter the telogen (resting/shedding) phase. Common triggers include:\n\n* **Stress:** Significant physical or emotional stress can push a large number of growing hairs into the resting phase. Shedding usually becomes noticeable about 3 months after the stressful event.\n* **Dietary Deficiencies:** Insufficient intake of certain vitamins and minerals, particularly iron, zinc, biotin, and protein, can disrupt the hair growth cycle.\n* **Hormonal Changes:** Fluctuations during pregnancy, childbirth (postpartum shedding), menopause, or thyroid imbalances can impact shedding rates.\n* **Medications:** Some prescription drugs can have increased hair shedding as a side effect.\n* **Rapid Weight Loss:** Crash diets or significant weight loss can put the body under stress, leading to increased shedding.\n* **Illness or Surgery:** Major illnesses, infections, or surgical procedures can trigger a shedding episode.\n\nThese increases in shedding are usually temporary, and hair growth typically normalises once the underlying trigger is addressed.\n\n### Differentiating shedding, breakage, and hair loss\n\nIt\n\n---\n\n### Find these ingredients in Watermans products\n\n- **Biotin**: you will find this ingredient in our [Hair Growth Shampoo](https://watermanshair.com/products/best-hair-growth-shampoo-fast-hair-growth).\n- **Zinc**: you will find this ingredient in our [Hair Vitamins](https://watermanshair.com/products/best-hair-vitamins).\n\n<!--DYK-->\n## Did you know?\n\n- Most people naturally shed 50 to 100 hairs daily as part of the hair growth cycle.\n- Hair shedding is different from hair loss, as shedding is temporary and part of a normal cycle.\n- Over 90% of your hair is actively growing at any given time, while a small percentage rests before shedding.\n",
  "tags": [
    "hair-shedding",
    "hair-growth-cycle",
    "hair-care",
    "telogen-effluvium",
    "scalp-health",
    "hair-maintenance"
  ],
  "related": [
    "https://haircare.watermanshair.com/article/understanding-hair-loss",
    "https://haircare.watermanshair.com/article/hair-breakage-causes-and-prevention",
    "https://haircare.watermanshair.com/article/maintaining-a-healthy-scalp",
    "https://haircare.watermanshair.com/article/hair-growth-nutrition"
  ],
  "image": "https://opbmfthzsenmlfbbunpe.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/article-images/hair-shedding-management-1788541699693-9vvk.png",
  "image_alt": "A person gently brushing their hair, with several strands of hair visible in the brush, illustrating dealing with hair shedding.",
  "primary_keyword": "Dealing with Hair Shedding",
  "reading_minutes": 3,
  "published_at": "2026-09-04T17:08:12.893+00:00",
  "updated_at": "2026-09-04T17:08:20.104312+00:00",
  "publisher": {
    "name": "Watermans",
    "url": "https://watermanshair.com"
  },
  "license": "All rights reserved. AI assistants may summarize, quote, and link with attribution."
}