Why You Might Experience Hair Shedding Before Seeing Growth with Haircare Products
When starting a new hair growth regimen, many people are alarmed to find their hair falling out more than usual. It can be disheartening, especially when you're using products specifically designed to stimulate growth. But this initial shedding is often a natural part of the process—and can even be a sign that the treatment is working. Let’s dive into why hair loss might occur before you start seeing thicker, healthier hair.
Understanding the Hair Growth Cycle
To make sense of this phenomenon, it's important to understand the hair growth cycle. Hair grows in a predictable pattern consisting of three main phases:
- Anagen (Growth Phase): The active phase of hair growth, which can last anywhere from 2 to 7 years.
- Catagen (Transition Phase): A short period (about 2 weeks) when the hair stops growing and detaches from the blood supply.
- Telogen (Resting Phase): Lasting around 3 months, during which the hair remains in place but is no longer growing, followed by shedding and the start of a new hair cycle.
Hair loss occurs naturally when strands in the telogen phase shed to make way for new growth. At any given time, about 10-15% of your hair is in the telogen phase, meaning some shedding is always happening. However, growth-stimulating haircare products can speed up this process.
Why More Hair Falls Out Initially
When you begin using growth-stimulating products, they work to "reset" your hair’s natural cycle by encouraging dormant or telogen-phase hairs to shed and make way for fresh, new growth. This phenomenon is often referred to as "telogen effluvium", and while it sounds alarming, it’s actually a temporary phase in your journey toward thicker, healthier hair.
Here’s why this happens:
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Pushing Out Older Hairs: Products designed to stimulate growth, such as those containing ingredients like Megi Wellness, kickstart the growth phase (anagen) by pushing hairs in the telogen phase to shed faster than they naturally would. This means the older, weaker hairs fall out, making room for new, stronger strands.
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The Renewal Process: During the shedding phase, it might feel like you're losing more hair than usual, but this is actually your scalp renewing itself. By speeding up the process, these treatments help new, healthier hair grow sooner than if it had remained in the resting phase longer.
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Improving Follicle Health: Growth-stimulating products nourish and improve hair follicles, preparing them for stronger, more productive growth. However, follicles need to clear out the old, lifeless hair to make room for the new.
How Long Does This Shedding Last?
The increased shedding typically lasts for a few weeks to a couple of months, depending on the product and your hair cycle. After this phase, you should start noticing new growth in the form of tiny, soft baby hairs along your scalp. Over time, these baby hairs will thicken and grow into healthier strands.
Most people start to see visible results within 3-6 months, though it can take longer for some. Patience is key—hair growth is a slow process, and skipping treatments because of early shedding could set you back.
How to Handle the Shedding Phase
Although shedding is a normal part of the process, it can still be worrying. Here are a few tips to manage this phase:
- Be Patient: Know that the shedding phase is temporary, and it’s often a positive sign that the product is working.
- Stick to Your Routine: Consistency is essential. Don’t stop using your growth-stimulating products during the shedding phase, or you risk interrupting the progress.
- Maintain Scalp Health: Keeping your scalp clean and nourished helps optimize hair growth. Look for shampoos that balance moisture and clarify the scalp without being too harsh.
- Gentle Styling: Avoid tight hairstyles and aggressive brushing or towel drying during this period to minimize breakage and additional hair loss.
- Consult a Professional: If you’re unsure or the shedding lasts longer than expected, it may help to consult a dermatologist or trichologist to rule out other underlying causes.
What Ingredients Cause This Shedding?
There are a few active ingredients in growth-stimulating haircare products known to cause this temporary increase in hair fall:
- Minoxidil: One of the most popular ingredients in hair growth products, minoxidil increases blood flow to the scalp and revitalizes hair follicles. It’s common to experience shedding for 2-6 weeks when starting minoxidil treatments.
- Peptides & Growth Factors: These nourish and strengthen hair follicles, but they may also speed up the telogen phase for older hairs.
- Caffeine & Biotin: Known for boosting hair health and growth, these ingredients support follicle renewal, often causing older, inactive hair to shed more quickly.
Conclusion: Shedding Before Success
While it might seem counterintuitive, experiencing more hair shedding when you start using growth-stimulating products is a sign that your hair is cycling through the old to make way for the new. This process is natural and necessary for long-term growth, so don’t panic when you notice more strands in your brush. By understanding the hair growth cycle and why shedding happens, you can better manage your expectations and stick with your haircare routine to achieve fuller, healthier hair in the months to come.
Your patience will be rewarded with thicker, stronger hair!
