Why Do I Lose So Much Hair in the Shower?

We’ve all been there. Wiping the steam from the mirror, running our fingers through our hair, and wondering why we lost a clump of hair.

It’s normal! You lose hair every day, but typically it’s less noticeable because it’s usually in your brush or on the floor.

However, when you stand under the hot water in your shower, your hair can become saturated and stick to your scalp more easily, so you’re more likely to notice hair came out.

You should understand that this is a normal occurrence. Hair does fall out of your head at a rate of about 100-200 strands per day, and some of these hairs will inevitably be lost in the shower.

Why do I lose so much hair in the shower?

The reason for this is that the hair shafts are made up of many layers, and during your daily activities, some layers may become weaker than others.

When you wash your hair, the vigorous movement of the water against the hair causes these weak layers to break off.

This can make it seem like you’re losing more hair than usual in the shower.

The Stages of Hair Growth

There are three stages of hair growth: anagen, catagen, and telogen.

Anagen is the active growing phase when hair gets longer.
Catagen is a dormant phase that only lasts for two to three weeks. It’s when the hair follicle shrinks and stops producing melanin.
Telogen is the resting stage, but it can be disrupted by stress or trauma to the area where the hair is growing.

Factors for Hair Falling Out in the Shower

Black hair

One study found that balding black men had higher levels of testosterone. The study found that their testosterone levels were 10% higher than those of men who were not balding.

In the case of men, it may be true that high testosterone levels cause baldness. However, this is not the case with women.

Hormone therapy

Studies have shown that hormone therapy can cause hair to go into the telogen phase and fall out. This is a phase in which the hair grows normally but is shed after a certain period.

Other studies have shown that estrogen and DHT can contribute to hair loss in women. These hormones are present in both men and women but are present in higher concentrations in men than in women.

Too Much Shampoo

Another factor leading to hair loss in the shower is shampooing too often. This will also dry out your scalp, which will cause more hair loss.

Medication

The most common factor for hair falling out in the shower is temporary hair shedding. This type of hair loss happens when your hair follicles enter into a resting phase called the telogen phase.

This can happen due to lifestyle factors or certain medications you are taking.

Longer Showers

Another factor is how long you stand in the shower. If you stand in the shower for long periods, you may lose more hair than those who step in and out quickly.

This is thought to be because standing in hot water will dry out your scalp more quickly, causing more of your hair strands to fall out as they naturally would when they’re dry.

Excessive Sebum Production

While several factors can contribute to hair loss, the most common culprit is excess sebum production. This naturally occurring oil lubricates and protects your hair and scalp. However, overproduction can clog pores and cause dandruff and other forms of itchiness, leading to increased hair shedding.

What Could Be Causing Hair to Fall Out in the Shower?

It happens to the best of us: you’re in the shower, washing your hair, and suddenly—you notice a few strands of hair floating around. Are you going bald? Could it be genetic?

Is it because you’re stressed out? Well, we’re here to answer all your burning questions about what could be causing your hair to fall out in the shower.

The first thing that’s important to consider is what type of shampoo you use. While many people think they have to splurge on high-end brands, some of the cheapest shampoos can cause hair loss, especially if they contain sulfates or sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS).

Sulfates are detergents that get rid of dirt and oil. However, they can also leave your hair strands looking dry and brittle, making them more likely to break off.

Milder detergents that don’t contain sulfates include Laureth sulfate and sodium myreth sulfate. These tend to be milder and more gentle on your hair. They can still do a good job of cleaning your hair without leaving it dry or breakable.

Washing hair too hard or scrubbing too roughly can cause your scalp’s oil glands to become inflamed, which leads to an overproduction of oil that can clog pores and ultimately lead to hair loss. This can cause clumps of hair to fall out in the shower.

Stress

Following a stressful day at work, many people take solace in the shower. If this is true for you, it’s important to know that stress could be causing your hair to fall out. To combat this issue, it can be helpful to practice yoga. One study found that individuals who practiced yoga had higher levels of anagen growth than those who did not practice yoga.

Anagen growth is a type of hair growth that occurs when the hair grows from its root and pushes through the scalp. This study found that yoga participants had an increased number of hairs with anagen growth compared to non-yoga participants.

When to Call a Doctor About Hair Falling Out in the Shower?

When you find that more than half of your hair is falling out when you take a shower, it’s time to be concerned.

The standard amount of hair loss in the shower is 100 strands from the scalp.

However, if you are losing more than that or start finding hairs on your pillowcase, brush, and clothing, it could be a sign of dandruff or a serious condition like alopecia areata.

Conclusion

Many people report having hair fall during a shower. This is due to the high force of water hitting the head, which has been estimated to be as much as five times the force of gravity.

This is normal, and as long as you look after your hair properly, you won’t go bald!