How to Stop Hair Shedding Immediately

Waking up to an unusual amount of hair on your pillow can be unsettling, leaving you frantically searching for tips on how to stop hair shedding. 

Here’s the thing: It’s pretty typical to shed about 50 to 100 hairs daily. So if you feel like your hair is shedding a lot, it might actually be a normal part of the hair growth cycle. 

If you’re regularly shedding excessive amounts of hair, though, it could be a sign of a deeper issue.

Below, we explain the difference between hair shedding and hair loss, why you might shed more hair than usual, and some treatment options to help stop hair loss.

We know hair shedding and hair loss can look similar, but there are some key differences between the two. 

It’s normal for hair to shed at the end of its growth cycle. Hair shedding is a normal part of the hair cycle, but can become excessive due to any number of physiologic stressors or severe emotional stressor. Signs of hair loss include:

• A receding hairline

• Thinning at the crown

To understand why your hair sheds, you need to understand the hair growth cycle. 

This cycle has three different phases, and each hair on your head is at a different point in the cycle at any given time. The phases include:

1. The anagen phase (growth phase)

2. The catagen phase (transition phase) 

3. The telogen phase (resting phase) 

At the end of the telogen phase, hair falls out of the follicle, and the cycle starts anew. 

Are you now thinking, “Wait, but why am I shedding so much hair”? 

At any given moment, each of your hairs is in a different stage of the growth cycle. Every day, some of them enter the telogen phase, getting ready to shed. 

Disruption to the hair growth cycle can cause excessive shedding. More on that below.

Hair Shedding from Telogen Effluvium 

Losing hairs with a white bulb at the root? You might be dealing with telogen effluvium.

Ever felt like stress was causing your hair to fall out? Well, stress-related hair loss is a real thing. Extreme physical or emotional stress can push hair follicles into the resting (telogen) phase prematurely, leading to hair shedding a lot a few months later. This condition is known as telogen effluvium. 

Triggers can include:

• Extreme weight loss

• Intense stress due to job loss, divorce, or other life-changing events 

• Hormonal changes, like those that happen during childbirth

• Severe illness or surgery

• Certain health conditions, like thyroid disorders

• Some medications

• Nutritional deficiencies, like an iron deficiency 

• Starting or stopping hormonal birth control 

Telogen effluvium typically results in a sudden increase in shedding, diffusely across the scalp, resulting in more hairs on your pillow, in the shower, or on your hairbrush. 

The good news? This type of hair loss is usually temporary. 

Other Causes of Hair Shedding

Figuring out what’s causing hair loss can be tricky. A good first step? Talk with your healthcare provider to rule out any medical issues. 

And if you’re worried about female pattern hair loss or other forms of hair loss, it’s helpful to know the signs. 

Below are a few common causes of hair loss: 

• Androgenetic alopecia (AKA pattern hair loss). This is a common form of hair loss driven by an excessive response to androgens, or male sex hormones. Up to 50 percent of males and females experience this kind of hair loss at some point in their adult lives. Learn more about it in our guide to female pattern hair loss.

• Alopecia areata. This type of hair loss results from an autoimmune condition where the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy hair follicles. It results in one or more bald spots that can appear anywhere on the scalp. Some people can have a genetic predisposition to alopecia areata.

• Traction alopecia. Tight hairstyles, like tight ponytails, hair extensions, braids, and buns, that consistently pull on the hair can cause this type of hair loss over time. Styles like slicked-back ponytails can also cause hair breakage.

Consider booking an appointment with a healthcare professional. They can help figure out the underlying cause of your hair loss and figure out an effective treatment plan. 

Once you know the cause, you can figure out the right treatment for you. There are effective hair loss treatments currently on the market for many types of hair loss. And if you think it may be stress or diet related, there’re holistic options to check out, too. 

Read on for our tips on how to stop hair shedding immediately. 

Explore Hair Growth Treatments

Since hair shedding is normal, you typically just need to focus on having a good haircare routine in place. But if you think it’s more than that, here are some treatment options for hair loss. 

• Minoxidil. This topical, over-the-counter (OTC) medication is typically the first line of defense for hair loss. Commonly sold under the brand name Rogaine®, minoxidil is the only FDA-approved treatment for pattern hair loss (androgenetic alopecia). It’s available as a minoxidil solution or foam.

• Oral minoxidil. If topical minoxidil isn’t working for you or application is challenging, oral minoxidil might be a consideration. 

• Spironolactone. Healthcare professionals often prescribe this treatment for hormone related conditions due to its antiandrogenic effects. Spironolactone can help reduce hair loss and acne, especially in cases where androgen excess may be a contributing factor.

• Topical finasteride. Men have been using oral finasteride to treat hair loss for decades, but because of its potential for side effects in premenopausal women, it hasn’t been typically used. Finasteride works to block your body from producing dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which is considered a contributing factor in female pattern hair loss. We offer a topical hair growth spray that combines finasteride and minoxidil to treat female pattern hair loss in postmenopausal women. 

The first step in hair loss treatment is understanding the root cause. It’s a good idea to speak with a medical professional to assess the cause and find the best hair loss treatment for you. 

And here’s a pro tip: Act fast. 

It’s easier to prevent further hair loss than to regrow hair. 

More Tips to Stop Hair Shedding

To truly nurture your hair, take an inside out approach. Certain lifestyle changes and hair care hacks can help support healthy hair growth while reducing excessive hair shedding.

Here’re a few other things you can try to stop hair shedding fast: 

• Eat the right food. Studies show a link between nutritional deficiencies and hair loss. A healthy, balanced diet containing vitamins and minerals like vitamin D, iron, and zinc can lower the risk of deficiencies that impact hair health. Find out more in our guide to the best foods for healthy hair. 

• Try a supplement. If you think you may have a nutritional deficiency or you're struggling to meet your nutritional needs, you might benefit from supplements like our Biotin gummies.

• Avoid tight hairstyles. Prevent traction alopecia by opting for looser styles. Can’t say goodbye to ponytails, buns, and other updos? Scrunchies and claw clips are having a moment and they can help reduce the amount of tension on your hair.

• Limit heat styling. Dialing down the heat on your hot tools can help fend off damage that can lead to shedding broken hair. Even better? Avoid heat styling altogether, or save the hair straightener for special occasions.

• Be gentle on your hair. To avoid excess hair breakage that can make your hair look like it’s shedding, be gentle while detangling your hair. And don’t be too aggressive when towel drying your hair. 

• Avoid harsh chemical treatments. Perms, bleaches, and relaxers can damage your hair, leading to further hair breakage. If you use chemical treatments, wait a while between touch-ups.

• Reduce stress. If you’re experiencing stress-related hair loss, it could be a sign to reach out for help. Reach out today to start a mental health services consultation online. 

While these tips can’t prevent all forms of hair loss, they may help reduce hair shedding and keep your hair healthy and strong. 

We know hair shedding can seem scary. But you should also know that it’s totally common. And if you start to notice overall thinning or see more of your scalp than you’d like, you can do plenty of things to slow it down. Scope out this article to get all the deets on how to prevent hair breakage so your overall hair health is at its peak. And remember this:

• Hair shedding is normal. When your hair shaft is finished growing, it rests and then falls out. Most people lose about 50 to 100 strands of hair a day on average. 

• There’s a difference between hair shedding and hair loss. If you’re losing too much hair, medications for hair loss, like minoxidil can help. Plus, you can support healthy hair growth with lifestyle changes and tweaks to your hair care routine. 

Ready to take the next step? Take our free, easy quiz to book an online appointment with a healthcare provider now. They can help you figure out the best treatments to stop hair shedding.