If you're a woman with hair, you've probably experienced your hair shedding at one point or another. Sometimes it's not a big deal, but other times your hair sheds so much it might freak you out a little bit.
If your Pinterest is anything like mine, it's flooded with photos of women with super thick, beautiful hair - and it's hard to achieve those #HairGoals when it just keeps shedding.
Don't worry, though! There's a reason it's happening, and there's a solution to fix it:
1. You're stressed
According to the American Academy of Dermatology, stress is a huge reason you're shedding hair. It really takes a toll on your body, which is why you lose hair when you're going through especially stressful times. Things like lack of sleep and changes in appetite are tied to stress and hair shedding.
If you notice you're especially stressed, make the changes necessary to reduce the stress as much as possible. You'll feel better and notice improvements in your hair health.
2. Seasons are changing
Surprisingly, you actually shed more hair in the fall than in the summer. This is because your body is trying to protect your head from the UV rays in the sun.
So if you're wondering why you're shedding more than usual as the air gets chillier, don't worry too much. Your luscious locks will be back soon enough.
3. You're overdoing the dry shampoo
As much as we all love dry shampoo, you might want to consider actually washing your hair more often. According to dermatologist Dr. Francesca Fusco, nothing can replace a good shampoo. It exfoliates your scalp and keeps your hair follicles healthy, which is what keeps your hair in your head.
Make sure you're washing your hair AT LEAST once a week, or more if you have dandruff.
4. You just lost a lot of weight
Dramatic weight loss can contribute to excessive shedding. That physical stress to your body will send your hair into shedding mode, but it won't last forever. Give your body time to adjust to your new eating and exercise habits, and it should return to normal after a short time.
5. You just had a baby
Having a baby puts a huge amount of stress on the body, so it's totally normal if your hair sheds in the process. You probably won't notice the shedding until about two months after you've given birth, so it can come as a surprise. Just know that it's totally normal, and your body will readjust within six to nine months.
6. You stopped taking birth control
A sudden change in hormones can do a number on your hair. However, once you stop taking the pill and start ovulating again, your hair should go back to normal.
8. You pull your hair up a lot
If you wear your hair up in a tight ponytail or bun every day, consider letting it down. Having your hair super tight causes it to break, causing shedding and baby hairs - especially in the front of your face. If this is the case for you, loosen your ponytail a little bit or wear your hair down. Your scalp will love it.
9. Too much moisture
Your hair has a natural balance, and it doesn't like to be thrown off. When you use too many moisturizing products too often, it throws off the protein balance and makes your hair shed because it weakens the follicles. Save the moisturizing product for your ends, and only apply them to your roots when you need to.
10. You're totally normal
A little shedding is completely normal. On average, people lose 50-100 hairs every day, so don't panic.
If you're shedding more than that over an extended period of time, talk to your doctor about reasons it might be happening and how to fix it.
