Hair loss is one of the most common conditions people come across at varying degrees in their life. Most people notice hair loss when they see clumps of hair clinging to their bathroom drain. However, there is no need to panic seeing your hair falling while you shower. Regardless of gender, almost everyone experiences hair loss at some point in their life. This article discusses why hair falls out in the shower and how to prevent it.
The Stages of Hair Growth
The main three stages of hair growth are;
- Anagen: This phase is the period of active hair growth. In this stage, the cells in the hair bulb divide rapidly, causing new growth. Almost 85 to 90 percent of the hair in your scalp is in this active growth phase at any given time.
- Catagen: This is the second phase of your hair growth cycle. This is a transitional phase, in which hair stops growing and detaches itself from the blood supply and usually lasts about 2-3 weeks. About 10% of hair is in this phase at any given time.
- Telogen: This is the third and final stage which begins with a hair resting period, while new hair grows beneath it. About 5 to 10 percent of hair is in this phase at any given time. You shed your hair during this. However, if these phases get imbalanced and more hair goes in the telogen phase, you may notice increased hair loss.
Factors Responsible for Hair Falling Out in the Shower
There are certain factors you should be aware of before you worry about your shower related hair loss. These factors include:
- The thickness of your hair: Thick hair generally has a more significant total number of hairs. If you have more hair, you may tend to lose more.
- The last time when you had a shower: Hair frequently falls out in the shower because shampooing or conditioning your hair stimulates your scalp. Shampooing gives your hair that was supposed to be shed the shove it needed to fall out. If you have not showered for a few days, you might notice an increased amount of hairs falling out.
- The last time when you combed or brushed your hair: Similar to showering, brushing and combing are two activities where you start to observe hair loss.
Stress and Hair Loss During Shower
Stress is one of the major contributors when it comes to hair loss during a shower. If you look back around three months of your life, you may be able to associate how your stress levels have contributed to your hair loss. A 2017 research review proved that increased hair shedding in the shower is often a result of telogen effluvium. In this condition, additional hairs go in the telogen phase. These hairs are then shed more easily.
Preventing Hair Loss
If you think that your hair falling out in the shower is becoming increasingly more severe each day, there are some easy actions you can take at home to prevent it. The first thing is to learn to combat your stress levels. You can start this by:
- Exercising
- Meditating
- Getting more sleep
- Trying to find time for yourself for at least 10 to 15 minutes every day and practice self-love
Addressing the Source of Your Stress
While this is not always possible, consider finding out what is contributing to your stress.
Reducing or eliminating the source of stress can aid in resolving hair loss and make you feel better overall. Try reaching out to others to help you manage your stress.
When to Call Your Doctor
Hair loss in the shower is typically not a reason for alarm. It’s just the place where you’re most likely to see your hair falling out. However, consult your doctor if you experience any of the following symptoms:
- Your hair appears to be falling out at an alarming rate
- You see patches/clumps of hair coming out at once
- Not being able to find a reasonable contributing factor