Why is My Hair Falling Out in the Shower: 8 Causes and Tips

Not only is hair loss normal in the shower, it’s actually the time when most hair shedding occurs. Your hair is in its most fragile state when it’s wet. Water causes your hair shaft to swell and the cuticles to open, which weakens the strands and makes them more susceptible to breakage.

Furthermore, when we wash our hair, we’re not only rubbing the follicles and causing displacement, but we’re also exposing them to chemicals from shampoo and conditioner that can weigh them down or irritate the scalp. Showers can also be hot, which can cause dryness and make the hair more brittle.

If you have a balance of these phases, then it’s normal to lose between 50-100 strands of hair after taking a shower. However, if you notice hair falling out in the shower at a rate that’s more than usual, it could indicate that you have more hair in the telogen stage, resulting in a higher percentage of hair shedding during the exogen stage. This is also known as the process called “telogen effluvium”, or rapid hair loss.

If you’re seeing large clumps of hair in the drain while you shower, here are a few potential reasons why you might be seeing extra hair loss:

When you first think of chlorine you might think of pool water, but did you know that chlorine’s in your tap water too? Although it's considered a disinfectant, chlorine is still a chemical with strong oxidizing properties that can strip hair of its natural oils and proteins. This turns hair strands brittle and makes your scalp irritated, meaning your hair will break more easily but also have a harder time growing.

Hard water has high amounts of calcium and magnesium minerals that can damage hair over time. These minerals can build up on the strands and act as a barrier to your hair care products, making your hair harder to manage and more susceptible to tangles and split ends. While it’s not directly linked to hair loss, hard water can irritate the scalp leading to breakage and hair that looks thinner.

While many hair brands are turning towards natural and holistic products, there’s still a large selection of popular shampoos and conditioners that contain harmful chemicals like sulfates. Sulfates are known to worsen hair shedding by stripping away natural oils from the scalp, leading to inflammation and hair loss. If you’re concerned about hair loss, look through your hair care products’ ingredients for chemicals like sodium lauryl sulfate, parabens, and formaldehyde-releasing preservatives.

Hormones play a huge factor in how our hair grows. We all know that during pregnancy you may notice your hair looks thicker and fuller, and this is because some hormones that increase during pregnancy also reduce hair loss. However, this also means after pregnancy there is some expected hair loss as your hormones return to their pre-pregnancy state. Taking hormone-changing medication or fluctuation in hormone-producing glands can also contribute to additional hair loss. Consult your doctor if you have concerns about your hormones.

It may come as no surprise that one of the side effects listed on a lot of medications is additional hair loss. Common medications that result in temporary hair loss include blood thinners, cholesterol-lowering drugs, and chemotherapy. If you notice hair thinning or loss after starting a new medication, make sure to speak with your doctor.

While some hair loss is unavoidable, there are still things you can do to reduce hair shedding:

If you looked through your shampoo and conditioner ingredient lists and discovered it had sulfates, then it may be time to consider upgrading your hair products. Products that use sulfates or other harsh chemicals do more bad for your hair than good. Consider looking into sulfate-free shampoos, as they’re more gentle on your scalp and hair. Keep an eye out for products that rely on natural ingredients to restore moisture in your hair such as coconut oil, argan oil, and aloe vera. Bonus points if they also say “paraben-free” and “formaldehyde-free” on their labels since these qualities can be known to increase the risk of hair shedding.

Regular heat exposure can cause damage to your hair and early breakage. As good as it feels, heat will increase inflammation of the scalp and can make your hair strands more brittle and dry. Try to blow dry your hair on cool or low heat, and cut back on how often you rely on heat tools to style your hair. It would also be wise to use a heat protectant whenever you’re using high temperatures for additional protection.

The slicked-back ponytail has become a trending look in social media for a while now, but did you know this style might be contributing to your hair loss? According to the American Academy of Dermatology, tight hairstyles can lead to extra hair loss. This is because the additional tension from your hairdo can pull your hair follicles out. Embrace having your hair down more often or rely on looser styles to achieve a less damaging look.

We remember to always protect our skin from the harsh rays of the sun, but often forget that we also have skin on our heads. Too much sun exposure can cause inflammation on your scalp. Like heat, it can also dry out your hair and affect the integrity of your hair strands. To shield hair from sun damage and reduce hair loss, try wearing hats, using heat protectants, or choosing shadier spots when outside.

Your hairstylist is like your doctor, they both need to be seen regularly if they’re going to help you. Seeing your hairstylist frequently means they can get a sense of what your hair is typically like. Therefore, if a change like additional hair loss occurs, they can examine and address it quickly before the loss gets worse. Your stylist will be able to see the difference since your last cut and provide you with recommendations for your hair concerns. There could also be salon-specific treatments that can be professionally done to help improve the health of your hair.

Diet plays an important role in the condition and health of your hair. If you’re getting the right amount of vitamins and minerals every day, then your hair is going to grow better. A balanced diet requires eating a variety of foods that have healthy fats, proteins, and carbohydrates. The Mayo Clinic recommends that your everyday calories are made up of:

• 20% protein
• 20%–30% healthy fats
• 45%–60% carbohydrates

By maintaining a healthy diet, your hair will have everything they need to grow strong and healthy. But be aware that too much of any vitamin or mineral could affect how your body processes its nutrients. Experiment with your food to determine what your body best responds to, or see your doctor for more specific advice on how you can support your hair health through your food intake.

There are so many things that can affect hair loss, but don’t let your water be one of them. Your water can be easily treated using products like Aquasaun’s shower filter, whole house water filters, softeners, or conditioners. While each system has differences, all are designed to improve the quality of your tap water and can help to prevent hair loss. And we know that everyone’s situation is different, which is why we offer water experts who can provide personalized recommendations.

Enjoy your life and hair, at its fullest by contacting our water experts for more information about using our systems to reduce hair loss in the shower.