Does it feel like your hair is shedding more than ever, no matter what you try?
It’s completely normal to feel frustrated or even scared when it seems like your hair won’t stop shedding. But before you jump to the worst-case scenario, take a deep breath—there are practical solutions that can help you stop hair shedding immediately.
As experts in hair health, Daniel Alain has years of experience in helping people regain confidence in their locks and we’ve seen it all when it comes to hair shedding. We understand the science behind hair loss, and we’ve helped countless individuals learn how to stop shedding hair with proven methods and personalized advice.
In this post, we’ll dive into what causes hair to shed, the best ways to stop hair shedding, and what you can do to regain your hair’s strength and vitality.
You deserve to feel confident and at ease with your hair, and we're here to support you every step of the way.
WHAT CAUSES HAIR TO SHED?
Hair shedding is a part of everyday life. In fact, it's normal to lose anywhere from 50 to 100 strands of hair per day, according to the American Academy of Dermatology.
The thing is, most people don't notice this natural hair loss because new hair is growing in at the same time. We only start to freak out—and frantically Google search "how to stop hair shedding"—when the rate of shedding starts to exceed the rate of growth.
Whether it's a sudden or gradual process, more hair in the drain can feel like a never-ending battle.
Fortunately, many of these issues can be solved with some simple lifestyle changes. Here are some of the most common reasons why your hair won’t stop shedding.
Lack of Nutrients
What you put (or don't put) in your body has a direct impact on the health of your hair. While your strands themselves are lifeless, the cells within your hair follicles depend on nourishment from foods to survive and thrive.
If you're experiencing any kind of nutritional deficiency from a diet or an underlying health condition, your body will go into self-preservation mode and cut off energy to specific, less vital functions in order to keep the essentials working properly. And one of the first functions to go is hair growth. So if you’re wondering how to stop hair from shedding, you might want to look at your diet and implement some hair growth promoting foods.
Too Much Stress & Anxiety
Unaddressed stress—be it chronic or from a sudden, singular event—causes roughly 55% of Americans to experience stress-related hair loss. There are actually three different types of hair loss that can be brought on by stress: telogen effluvium, trichotillomania, and alopecia areata.
Telogen effluvium is the most common type of stress-related hair loss. It occurs when your resting hairs (which make up 80% of the hair on your head) are forced into the shedding, or telogen, phase faster than normal.
This can happen several weeks to months after a stressful event, like undergoing an operation, losing a loved one, recovering from an illness, or even losing weight. It is temporary and your hair should grow back once the stressful situation has passed.
Trichotillomania is an irresistible urge to pull out your hair, resulting in patches of baldness. This type of hair loss is usually seen in children and young adults who are dealing with a lot of stress or anxiety and is a less common condition.
Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disease that attacks the hair follicles, causing patchy baldness on the scalp, face, and other parts of the body. This type of hair loss can be brought on by stress, but it's also seen in people who have other autoimmune diseases, like thyroid disease and lupus.
Genetics & Hormonal
Some people are just predisposed to thinning hair and excess shedding due to their genes. If your mom or dad has dealt with hair loss, chances are you might too. This type of hair loss is called androgenetic alopecia (more commonly known as male- or female pattern baldness) and it's the most common type of hair loss, affecting 50% of all cases.
Hormonal changes can also cause your hair to enter the telogen phase too soon. This can happen after pregnancy and during menopause when estrogen levels drop. Hormonal changes can also be the result of taking birth control pills or other medications, like steroids.
Fortunately, this type of hair loss is usually temporary and will stop once your hormones return to normal levels.
Showering
Your hair is at its weakest when it's wet, which makes showering your strands with super-hot water a recipe for disaster. Hot water can strip away the natural oils that protect your hair, leading to dryness, breakage, and split ends.
It can also cause your scalp to become irritated, potentially leading to dandruff and itchiness—which isn't helpful if you're trying to stop shedding hair.
Washing
It's stressful to see your strands circling the drain every time you go to wash your mane.
Just like with hot water, over-washing your hair can also turn your scalp and strands into a dry, brittle mess. Washing your hair too often strips away the natural oils that protect it, leading to frizz, tangles, and breakage.
Blow Drying
Hopefully by now, you've noticed that your hair is delicate, and needs to be treated as such. Unfortunately, blow-drying and excessive heat styling are some of the worst culprits when it comes to damaging your mane.
The high heat from a blow dryer can quickly turn your strands from healthy and hydrated to dry and brittle. While a singular blowout isn't enough to cause long-term damage, repetitive use can lead to thinning hair and a dull appearance.
Certain Hairstyles
Tight ponytails, top knots, and cornrows may look chic, but they could be doing a number on your strands. Wearing your hair in these super-tight styles can put unnecessary strain on your follicles, leading to breakage and shedding, a condition known as traction alopecia.
If you must wear your hair up, opt for loose styles that won't pull on your hair or put too much tension on your scalp. Over time, this can help to reverse traction alopecia and prevent hair loss.
Seasons
Your hair goes through different phases throughout the year, just like the rest of your body. Seasonal hair fall is a collective phenomenon that happens when the temperature and humidity levels change.
Autumn seems to be the most common time for seasonal hair loss as it's the time when your hair leaves the growing phase and enters the resting phase. This is when your hair starts to shed more than usual, but don't worry, it's short-lived and will grow back in the spring.
BEST WAYS TO STOP HAIR SHEDDING
Now that you've likely got a better idea of what's behind your shrinking strands, it's time to focus on how to stop shedding hair. Below, we've compiled some of the best tips and tricks for how to minimize hair loss and restore your mane to its former, voluminous glory.
Looking for how to stop your hair from shedding? Read on.
Use INTACT 5 Hair Shedding Treatment
When your hair won't stop shedding, you need a solution that will get to work ASAP. Daniel Alain's INTACT 5 Hair Shedding Treatment is specifically designed to stop shedding in its tracks by strengthening the hair follicles and locking in every strand at the root.
Just saturate your scalp with this 5 minute pre-shampoo treatment before you wash your hair and you'll notice less hair in your drain in as little as one use.
Avoid Tight Hairstyles
As we mentioned before, tight hairstyles can put unnecessary strain on your hair follicles and lead to traction alopecia. If you're looking to stop shedding hair, it's best to avoid these styles altogether. Instead, let your mane flow free or opt for looser looks like:
- Low ponytails
- Loose braids
- Messy buns
Limit Heat Treatments
We know, it's hard to give up your daily blow-dry. But if you're serious about stopping hair shedding, you'll need to cut back on the heat treatments. When used sparingly, heat styling won't do much damage to your strands. However, daily use can quickly turn healthy hair into unruly strands.
If you can't give up your heat styling habits cold turkey, try to limit yourself to once or twice a week. And when you do use heat, make sure to use a protectant spray to minimize any damage.
Eat a Balanced Diet with Omega-3s & Protein
You are what you eat, and that definitely applies to your hair. Eating a diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids, protein, and other nutrients is essential for keeping your strands healthy and strong.
Omega-3s help to nourish the scalp and promote hair growth, while protein is essential for repairing damaged follicles and preventing breakage. So, if you're looking to stop hair shedding, be sure to up your intake of these essential nutrients.
In addition to omega-3s and protein, other nutrients that are important for healthy hair include:
- Vitamin A
- B vitamins (biotin, niacin, etc.)
- Vitamin C
- Iron
- Zinc
- Vitamin E
- Vitamin D
Get More Sleep
Preventive care is always the best medicine—especially if you're trying to learn how to stop your hair from shedding. Excessive shedding, if left untreated, can lead to hair loss, which is much more complicated (and costly) to resolve.
So, if you're looking to stop hair loss before it starts, be sure to get plenty of rest. A lack of sleep can easily result in chronic stress, which as you now know, is one of the leading causes of hair shedding. Aim to get at least eight hours of sleep every night to keep your body—and your strands— healthy and strong.
Take Supplements & Vitamins
Ideally, you'll get all of your vital nutrients from your plate, but that's not always possible. If you're looking for an extra boost, consider taking supplements or vitamins specifically designed for hair health.
There are a ton of hair growth vitamins that make some pretty bold claims, but not all of them are backed by science. However, there are a few that have been shown to be effective methods to stop hair shedding, including:
- Vitamin A
- B vitamins (also referred to as biotin)
- Vitamin D
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin E
- Iron
- Zinc
Try a Scalp Massage
There's nothing quite like a relaxing scalp massage—except maybe one that also helps to stop hair shedding. Scalp massages are a great way to increase blood flow to the scalp, which can promote growth and prevent shedding.
To give yourself a scalp massage, start by applying some pressure with your fingertips in small, circular motions. You can also use a massager or your fingers to gently knead the scalp. Repeat this process for 5-10 minutes daily.
Daniel Alain Scalp Massager features a series of bristles that stimulate the scalp and boost scalp health, providing both an exhilarating scalp massage and relaxing experience. Ideal for all hair types, this hand-held massager can be used on a dry scalp, or to work in your INTACT 5 Hair Shedding Treatment.
Maintain Healthy Hair & Scalp Care
If you want to stop hair shedding, you need to commit to a healthy hair care routine. That means shampooing and conditioning your strands regularly, using heat protectant sprays before heat styling, and avoiding tight hairstyles that can lead to traction alopecia.
It's also important to maintain a healthy scalp. In addition to regular shampooing, you may need to take extra steps to avoid a dry scalp by using a weekly exfoliating treatment. The better care you take of your strands now, the less likely you are to experience shedding in the future.
WHY INTACT 5 IS A GUARANTEED & IMMEDIATE SOLUTION for hair shedding
If you're looking for an immediate solution to stop hair shedding, INTACT 5 is your best bet. This breakthrough pre-shampoo treatment is the first and only topical solution clinically proven to reduce excessive shedding in a single use—which means you can stop hair shedding immediately without having to wait months to see results.
Clinically Proven
INTACT 5 is a clinically-proven treatment that instantly stops hair shedding by contracting the arrector pili, a cluster of tiny muscles that surround your hair follicles. When stimulated, these muscles constrict and lock in the hair, making it require much more force to remove.
Typically, brushing and styling can easily rip or tear out vulnerable strands—but with INTACT 5, your hair is strengthened at the root. A recent study found that INTACT 5 was shown to reduce the number of hairs shed during brushing by up to 77%.
Works in 5 Minutes
Not only is INTACT 5 clinically proven to stop hair shedding, but it also works in just 5 minutes.
To use, simply apply the treatment to your dry scalp before you shower. Section your hair to fully saturate and massage thoroughly. Let it sit for 5 minutes before shampooing as usual. You'll notice a drastic reduction in hair shedding with just one use—and you can use it as often as you need to in order to maintain your results.
Delivers Impressive Results in Just One Use
Most treatments for hair shedding take months to show any results—but not INTACT 5. This powerful treatment is designed to stop hair shedding immediately, and it only takes one use to see a drastic reduction in the number of strands you shed.
Nourishes & Hydrates the Scalp
Not only does INTACT 5 stop hair shedding, but it also nourishes and hydrates the scalp to promote healthy growth. The treatment is packed with vitamins and minerals that are essential for a healthy scalp, including niacinamide (B3), panthenol (B5), and coconut fatty acids.
Using INTACT 5 will leave you with silky smooth strands that you can't help but run your fingers through.
Volumizes Hair
Another added benefit of INTACT 5? Volume, baby. When the arrector pili muscles are constricted, they create a lifting effect on the hair shaft. This gives your strands a fuller, thicker appearance—instantly.
Contains Ingredients You Can Trust
You don't want to put just anything on their scalp—which is why all of the ingredients in INTACT 5 are safe, gentle, and effective. You can use this treatment with peace of mind knowing that you're not exposing yourself to any harsh chemicals or toxins.
INTACT 5 is free from sulfates, silicones, parabens, oils, SD-alcohol, artificial dyes, and gluten. It's also vegan-friendly and color-safe.
If you're ready to say goodbye to hair shedding for good, INTACT 5 is the answer. Try it today and see the difference for yourself.
WHAT ELSE YOU CAN DO FOR HAIR SHEDDING
Sometimes the traditional routes to stop hair shedding aren't enough. If you're noticing bald patches, a receding hairline or more excessive thinning all over your head, you may need to seek out other solutions.
Boost the Volume with a Hair Topper
A hair topper is a small wiglet that's designed to cover up balding or thinning areas on your head. Toppers come in a variety of colors, lengths, and styles to match your own hair, so nobody will be able to tell you're wearing one—especially if you're rocking a silky smooth 100% European hair topper from Daniel Alain.
They attach easily with clips or combs, and they can be worn daily or just when you need a little extra coverage. Toppers are a great solution for those with mild to moderate hair loss, and they can be gentle enough to not tug or pull on your existing hair.
Wear A Gorgeous Human Hair Wig
Buying a wig is a great option for those with more extensive hair loss. Natural human hair wigs provide full coverage of the head and give you the freedom to style your hair however you want.
Unlike synthetic hair wigs that can sometimes look unnatural, human hair wigs from Daniel Alain are undetectable and the epitome of luxury. They're made with 100% European hair that's sourced from the world's largest and only private reserve, so they look and feel ultra-realistic.
Use Minoxidil
Minoxidil is a medication that's available over the counter, and it's been clinically proven to stop hair loss and promote hair growth. It's the only FDA-approved treatment for hair loss, and it's available in both a topical solution and a foam.
While Minoxidil is an effective treatment for hair loss, it doesn't work for everyone. Daniel Alain's research team discovered that only people with the SULT1A1 enzyme responded to Minoxidil. This enzyme is needed to convert and activate the treatment.
If you're interested in trying Minoxidil, make sure to get tested for the SULT1A1 enzyme first. You can order a kit from Daniel Alain, and get your results in as little as 14 days.
DISCOVER YOUR SOLUTION FOR HAIR SHEDDING AT DANIEL ALAIN
At Daniel Alain, we aim to provide a 360-degree solution for hair shedding. No matter what's causing your hair strands to scatter, we have a treatment that can help stop it in its tracks and promote healthy growth.
From total coverage to reducing shedding, we have a solution that's right for you no matter what stage of the hair loss journey you're in. Our team of in-house hair shedding experts are on hand to help you choose the right treatment and answer any questions you may have. Book a consultation today!
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Our stylists will help you find the right hair loss solution just for you
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Hair Shedding?
Hair shedding is the natural process of losing around 50-100 hairs per day. While it's normal to shed some hair each day, excessive shedding—losing more than 100-200 strands per day—may require some attention and lifestyle shifts to avoid further hair loss.
Why is My Hair Shedding So Much?
Hair shedding can be caused by a variety of factors, including:
- Stress
- Hormonal changes
- Diet
- Tight hairstyles
- Rough hair maintenance like overwashing
- Genetics
- Seasonal hair fall
If you're concerned about your hair shedding, it's important to speak with a qualified specialist to rule out any potential hair loss causes and create a treatment plan.
Is INTACT 5 Safe to Use on My Hair?
Yes—INTACT 5 is safe for all types of hair, including color-treated and chemically-treated hair. It's also free of sulfates, silicones, and other harsh chemicals that can damage your hair.
Learn more about the safety of INTACT 5.
How Do I Properly Apply INTACT 5?
INTACT 5 must be applied to a dry scalp and left on for 5 minutes before shampooing.
The more you use INTACT 5 the more effective it will be. So stay consistent in your application to see the best results.
Should I Use INTACT 5 Every Day?
Use INTACT 5 as often as you shampoo and condition your hair. Washing can often rip out follicles that are in the process of shedding, so using INTACT 5 prior to shampooing can help strengthen your strands and stop this from happening.
Can INTACT 5 Regrow My Hair?
No—INTACT 5 is not a hair regrowth treatment. It's a hair retention treatment that prevents your strands from falling out in the first place. INTACT 5 can help you stop shedding and keep the hair you have, but it will not help you regrow new hair follicles.
What Happens If I Wash Intact 5 Out of My Hair in Less Than 5 Minutes?
If you wash INTACT 5 out of your hair in less than 5 minutes, it will not be as effective. The serum needs time to bind to your follicles and work its magic. So make sure to leave it in for 5 minutes before shampooing.
How Much Hair Shedding is Normal?
It's normal to lose around 50-100 hairs per day. If you're losing more than this, it may be time to take some action to stop the shedding.
How Do I Know if My Hair is Shedding Too Much?
If you're noticing more hair in your brush than usual or thinning patches on your scalp, it's time to take action. Excessive shedding can be a sign of a bodily imbalance (like a nutrient deficiency) or even an underlying condition.
Speak with a hair specialist to get to the bottom of your excessive shedding and find a solution.
When Should I See a Doctor About Hair Shedding?
If you've tried all the at-home methods and your hair won't stop shedding still, it may be time to see a doctor. A qualified hair specialist can help you rule out any underlying conditions and put together a treatment plan.
What is the Best Product for Hair Shedding?
The best product for hair shedding depends greatly on the reason for your shedding. For example, if stress is the cause of your hair loss, you'll likely need a different solution than someone whose shedding is due to genetics.
However,INTACT 5 by Daniel Alain is a great solution for anyone struggling with shedding. It's clinically proven to stop hair shedding and can be used on all types of hair.
What is the Difference Between Hair Shedding & Hair Thinning?
Hair shedding is when your strands fall out from the root. Hair thinning, on the other hand, is when your strands become thinner and weaker over time.
Both hair shedding and hair thinning can lead to hair loss, so it's important to take action as soon as you notice either of these occurring.
Can You Grow Hair Back After it Sheds?
Yes—in most cases, you can grow hair back after it sheds. However, this process takes time and patience. Depending on the severity of your shedding, it may take weeks or even months to see new growth.
Can a Wig or Hair Topper Cause Hair Loss?
No—wigs and hair toppers will not cause you to lose any of your natural hair. In fact, these products can actually help protect your strands from damage and shedding. By shielding your hair from the elements as well as styling products and heat tools, wigs and hair toppers can help keep your natural strands healthy and strong.
