Persistent Shedding- should I be worried?

[Miss Hidley]

Ok so my hair has been growing along happily toward my goal, but the last week or so I have noticed I've been shedding out an awful lot more. I'm not bald or anything but I am slightly paranoid as I'm finally getting towards a reasonable length!. I read somewhere that if you are stressed, 2 months later you will shed a lot of hair, but I also thought it might be to do with a nutrient deficiency or maybe I am shedding a lot because its the end of winter like animals do(do humans do that??) Does any of these explanations sound likely to you?

[HairyCarrie]

I noticed the past few days that I was shedding more than the typical amount I find in the shower drain. Now I am finding hairs here and there and it's unusual for me. I just starting growing length last July, so it's my first spring for paying attention to what's going on. Like you I'm hoping it's seasonal and hoping it stops soon!

[Misha]

Hi Miss Hidley and HairyCarrie,

A while back I had concerns about shedding too. It was ongoing, for a few months if I remember correctly, and I was afraid that I would lose overall volume of my hair if it continued.

It did not continue (thank goodness!!!), and that problem never came back again. I attribute that to these things:

- I started to daily take a good multi vitamin, and a hair vitamin as well.
- I shampooed less, for me that meant instead of daily, I would just CO and shampoo a couple of times weekly.
- I stopped blow drying my hair straight daily (I know, I can't believe I used to do that either!) So in other words, I treated my hair and scalp better.

Applying LHC principles that agree with your scalp and hair will help (providing that it's not a result of a more serious health issue). Try taking a good multi vitamin, and look after your overall health.

HTH :)

[jastark84]

I constantly shed small animals on wash days or when I'm combing it out before a wash day. I find that it's because my hair is curly, I don't brush it, and I usually always have it bunned or braided. I've never noticed a loss in thickness, so I guess my shedding is normal, but it oculd very well be seasonal for you, I wouldn't worry about it

[Cantabile]

Increased shedding could be due to several things
-Nutrition - Are you eating enough? Vitamins?

-Stress - Stress can cause increased shedding, especially if you're not eat or sleeping well.

-Routine - Are you trying out a variety of new routines? Changes in your hair washing/handling routines could take some getting used to, and there may be increased shedding at the beginning until your hair gets used to it.

-Seasonal - It may just be seasonal, and it'll pass.

As I've said, variety of factors! Examine your routine and your habits and hopefully you might be able to pinpoint the cause.