Excess Shedding
Excess hair shedding (telogen effluvium) can be a result of general health issues and stress. It’s usually temporary, but treatments are available to treat the condition.
What is excess shedding?
Excess shedding, referred to medically as telogen effluvium, is a condition that causes your hair to fall out more rapidly than usual, causing noticeable hair thinning.
It’s a temporary condition, and although it causes your hair to fall out at an increased rate, new hair continues to grow.
It’s normal to lose between 50 to 100 strands of hair every day, but if you’re losing more than this, you may have excess shedding.
Excess shedding is the second most common form of hair loss. It’s not hereditary and can affect anyone of any age and sex.
At our innovative Skin Health centre, our expert dermatologists can diagnose and treat excess hair shedding.
More information
The symptoms of excess shedding often come on suddenly and may include:
increased hair loss when washing or brushing your hair
more hair than usual left behind on the pillow when you wake up
noticeable thinning of your hair
a sore or tender scalp
Excess shedding happens when there’s a shock to your system that causes a disturbance in the normal hair growth cycle.
Factors that may trigger excess hair shedding include:
childbirth (postpartum hair loss)
physical trauma
stress
illness (particularly with a fever)
surgery
significant weight loss
extreme dieting
nutritional deficiencies
a skin condition that affects the scalp
certain medications
hormonal changes, such as those caused by discontinuing the pill or going through menopause
endocrine disorders such as hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism
jet lag
excessive sun exposure
You’ll have an appointment with a consultant dermatologist, who’ll ask you about your symptoms, any medical conditions or allergies you have, and any medications you take regularly.
Excess shedding is diagnosed by examining your scalp to look for thinning of your hair and any short hair of normal thickness that suggests normal regrowth. A gentle hair pull test can also be done to see how easily your hair comes away from your scalp.
In some cases, your consultant may take a sample of your hair to examine under the microscope. This is done to look for a club shape, which indicates telogen effluvium.
Rarely, your consultant may take a tissue sample (biopsy) of your scalp.
Depending on the cause, excess shedding can’t always be prevented. You may be able to reduce the risk of excess shedding by making healthy lifestyle choices and being gentle with your hair.
This may include:
following a healthy, balanced diet high in nutrients and protein
avoiding vitamin and mineral deficiencies
drinking plenty of water
reducing stress
getting sufficient sleep
not smoking
being gentle with your hair and avoiding tight hairstyles, heat, and harsh brushing
using a silk or satin pillow to reduce friction while you sleep
Excess hair shedding isn’t usually harmful to your health, but thinning hair can lead to emotional and psychological issues, such as low self-esteem, anxiety, and depression.
If your hair is very thin and your scalp is exposed, you may be at risk of sun damage and even skin cancer.
In some cases, hair loss can be a symptom of an underlying medical condition, so it's important to see a dermatologist for an accurate diagnosis and treatment.
Treatment for excess shedding depends on the cause. Your dermatologist will work with you to try and determine the cause of your excess shedding.
Treatment may include:
medications to promote hair growth
multivitamins or supplements
using wigs, hair weaves, or certain hairstyles to make your thinning hair less noticeable
At Welbeck, our dermatologists are experts in their field and are dedicated to providing world-class care to every patient.
With access to colleagues across other specialities, our consultants are also able to refer within the Welbeck ecosystem if required to ensure you receive the treatment you need as quickly as possible, all under one roof.
All appointments, testing, treatment, and follow-up appointments take place within our state-of-the-art facilities, enabling us to deliver accurate diagnostics and advanced treatments.
Your health is important to us, so we strive to offer same-day appointments whenever possible.
Our consultants are recognised by the major health insurance companies. If you have private health insurance, your treatment at Welbeck can begin once you have obtained authorisation. We also provide care to self-paying patients. Learn more about the different payment options at Welbeck.
Get in touch today to book an appointment.
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Frequently asked questions
Hair loss (anagen effluvium) occurs when something stops your hair from growing and may be permanent. It can occur due to genetics, an autoimmune reaction or as a side effect of some medications or other treatments.
Hair shedding (telogen effluvium) is temporary and often caused by stress, illness, or hormonal changes. Once the cause is identified and treated or removed, your hair usually grows back within 3 to 6 months.
Make an appointment with a dermatologist if:
your excess shedding lasts more than a few months
you have visibly thinner hair
you have scalp irritation, bald patches, or other symptoms
No. Washing your hair doesn’t lead to excess shedding. Washing your hair only makes the hairs that were ready to shed fall out.
Yes. Some hairstyles, such as tight braids, ponytails, and hair extensions, can lead to a type of hair loss called traction alopecia that occurs due to pulling on the hair follicles.