Introduction

Hair shedding is a normal part of the hair growth cycle—but when you start seeing more hair in your brush, your shower drain, or on your pillow, it’s natural to worry. If you’re asking yourself, “Why is my hair shedding so much lately?” you’re not alone.

Hair loss and excessive shedding can affect both men and women at any age. While many people turn to shampoos and serums, the real solution lies in understanding and treating the root cause.

At Sheen Vein & Cosmetics, we take a functional medicine approach to hair restoration. That means looking beyond the surface to uncover hormonal imbalances, nutritional deficiencies, autoimmune conditions, and more.

In this article, we’ll explore:

• What’s normal vs abnormal hair shedding
• The hair growth cycle
• Top root causes of excessive hair loss
• How we diagnose and treat hair loss at the root

How Much Hair Shedding Is Normal?

It’s completely normal to shed 50–100 hairs per day as part of your natural hair cycle. However, if you're suddenly shedding significantly more, or noticing visible thinning, it could be a sign of telogen effluvium, androgenic alopecia, or another underlying issue.

Signs of excessive shedding:

• Clumps of hair coming out in the shower or on your pillow
• Noticeable widening of your part or scalp visibility
• Thinning at the crown or temples
• Receding hairline or diffuse thinning all over

Understanding what’s triggering this shedding is key to reversing it.

The Hair Growth Cycle

Hair grows in a continuous cycle involving three main phases:

1. Anagen (Growth Phase) – Lasts 2–7 years; 90% of your hair is in this phase
2. Catagen (Transition Phase) – Short phase (2–3 weeks) where hair growth slows
3. Telogen (Resting/Shedding Phase) – Lasts ~3 months before hair falls out

When the body is under stress—hormonally, physically, or nutritionally—more hairs shift prematurely into the telogen phase, resulting in excess shedding.

Top Causes of Excessive Hair Shedding

1. Hormonal Imbalance

Hormones play a major role in regulating the hair cycle. Imbalances in thyroid hormones, estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, and DHT can disrupt hair growth.

• Estrogen dominance or decline can affect hair quality and volume
• High DHT (dihydrotestosterone) can shrink follicles, leading to thinning (especially in men and women with androgenic alopecia)
• Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) can lead to hair loss on the scalp and hair growth on the face or body
• Postpartum hormonal shifts commonly trigger temporary hair shedding

2. Thyroid Dysfunction

Both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism can cause significant hair loss. Symptoms of thyroid-related hair loss include:

• Dry, brittle hair
• Hair thinning on the scalp and outer eyebrows
• Fatigue, cold intolerance, weight gain (hypo) or weight loss (hyper)

Thyroid conditions often go undiagnosed or undertreated.

3. Nutrient Deficiencies

Healthy hair requires a steady supply of nutrients, including:

• Iron (low ferritin is a major cause of female hair loss)
• Vitamin D (regulates hair follicle cycling)
• B vitamins, especially biotin, B12, and B6
• Zinc and magnesium
• Protein (hair is primarily made of keratin, a protein)

Crash diets, poor digestion, or chronic inflammation can impair nutrient absorption.

4. Stress and Cortisol Imbalance

Physical or emotional stress can push hair follicles into the telogen (resting/shedding) phase, leading to a condition called telogen effluvium.

Stress-related hair loss often appears 6–12 weeks after the triggering event (e.g., illness, surgery, job loss, grief).

Signs:

• Diffuse hair thinning across the scalp
• Sudden onset of shedding
• Increased hair in brushes, drains, and clothing

If cortisol stays elevated long-term, it can also lead to hormonal disruption and nutrient depletion.

5. Inflammation and Autoimmunity

Autoimmune conditions like alopecia areata, lupus, or Hashimoto’s thyroiditis can cause sudden or patchy hair loss.

Clues include:

• Bald patches
• Hair falling out in clumps
• Skin rashes, joint pain, or fatigue

These conditions involve the immune system mistakenly attacking hair follicles.

6. Gut and Liver Health

The gut-liver axis plays a surprising role in hair health. Poor detoxification or dysbiosis can:

• Interfere with hormone clearance
• Lead to chronic inflammation
• Affect nutrient absorption

If your gut isn’t healthy, your hair won’t be either.

7. Hair Styling and Chemical Damage

While not a root cause, excessive heat styling, tight hairstyles, or chemical treatments can exacerbate existing hair loss or cause traction alopecia.

Diagnosing the Root Cause

At Sheen Vein & Cosmetics, we go beyond surface-level treatments. We begin with a comprehensive hair loss evaluation that may include:

• Hormone panels (including DHEA, estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, and DHT)
• Thyroid testing (TSH, Free T3, Free T4, and antibodies)
• Nutrient testing (iron/ferritin, B12, vitamin D, zinc)
• Inflammatory markers (hs-CRP, homocysteine)
• Cortisol levels (saliva or urine)
• Gut health analysis if warranted

We also examine your hair loss pattern to determine the type of shedding—diffuse, patchy, or androgenic.

Functional Medicine Approach to Hair Restoration

Our treatment plans focus on healing from the inside out. Here's how we support your hair recovery:

1. Hormone Balancing

We use:

• Herbal hormone modulators (like saw palmetto, DIM, or vitex)
• Adaptogens to support adrenal balance
• Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (if appropriate)
• Blood sugar and insulin regulation to reduce hormonal disruption

2. Nutritional Repletion

We provide personalized supplement protocols based on labs, including:

• Iron (for ferritin below 60 ng/mL)
• Vitamin D (ideal range 50–80 ng/mL)
• Biotin, B-complex, and methylated B12
• Collagen peptides and amino acids for keratin production
• Omega-3 fatty acids to reduce inflammation

3. Scalp Support Therapies

We may recommend in-office or at-home treatments such as:

• Alma TED with PRF (platelet-rich fibrin) to stimulate dormant follicles
• Low-level laser therapy (LLLT)
• Topical growth factors or serums targeting DHT reduction

These approaches boost circulation, activate follicles, and improve scalp health.

4. Stress and Sleep Support

Chronic stress is one of the most overlooked contributors to hair loss. We offer:

• Adaptogens and nervines
• Cortisol balancing plans
• Sleep optimization protocols

Hair can’t grow in a body stuck in fight-or-flight mode.

When to Seek Help

If your hair is shedding excessively for more than 2–3 months, or if you notice visible thinning or bald spots, it’s time for a deeper evaluation.

Many causes of hair loss are reversible—especially when caught early.

Final Thoughts

Your hair is a reflection of your internal health. Excessive shedding isn’t just a cosmetic issue—it’s a message from your body that something needs attention.

Instead of covering up symptoms or chasing ineffective products, a root-cause, functional medicine approach can help you restore your hair and your health from the inside out.

Struggling with hair shedding or thinning? Let’s get to the root of it. Schedule a hair restoration consultation today and start your journey back to thicker, healthier hair.

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