Hair shedding can only be reduced or stopped once the underlying cause is identified. Temporary (acute) shedding often resolves on its own, while ongoing or heavy (chronic) shedding usually requires professional assessment, trichoscopy analysis, blood testing, and a personalised treatment plan.
Hair naturally sheds every day as part of the growth cycle. When shedding becomes noticeable, sudden, or emotionally distressing, it often signals that the body is out of balance. Common triggers include illness, fevers, hormonal changes, nutritional deficiencies, starting a new diet, rapid weight loss, medications, pregnancy, and high emotional stress. These stressors can push more hairs into the resting phase, which explains why shedding often appears 3 months after the original trigger.
The first step in slowing excessive shedding is accurate diagnosis. A Trichologist examines the scalp and follicles under a trichoscopy magnification, reviews medical history and lifestyle factors, and identifies visible patterns contributing to hair loss. This process helps determine whether the shedding is temporary or part of a longer-term condition such as chronic diffuse hair loss.
If shedding is linked to a short-term trigger, the hair cycle often stabilises naturally as the body recovers. Supportive care includes gentle scalp hygiene, balanced nutrition, adequate protein intake, stable iron and vitamin D levels, quality sleep, and stress management. Over washing, aggressive brushing, harsh chemical treatments, and excessive heat styling should be minimised to protect fragile hairs during recovery.
When shedding continues for several months, it usually points to an unresolved internal issue such as low iron, hormonal imbalance, inflammation, gut dysfunction, or medication sensitivity. In these cases, shedding will not fully settle until the trigger is corrected. Targeted supplementation, dietary changes, scalp therapies, and medical referral may be required based on individual findings.
Hair shedding is rarely random. A detailed assessment at our Brighton clinic identifies the root cause and guides targeted treatment.
