Losing Hair

Brush with lost strands of hair
Photo: Depositphotos
Q: I've noticed long strands of hair in my hand and shower after washing (sometimes a lot) and more hair in my brush since growing my hair long. I have looked and seen roots on the majority of the hair that comes out during shampooing.
 
I'm 26 years old (and also starting to gray), and hair loss runs among the women on my father's side of the family. How can I tell if I'm losing my hair or if it is naturally shedding? How can I slow down my shedding? I don't eat much protein. Will that affect it, and will vitamin E help?
 
A: When you notice large amounts of hair gathering in your hand or brush, it is completely natural to feel concerned. At 26, with premature graying and a family history of female hair loss, your proactive approach is justified.
 
Seeing a small white bulb (often referred to as the root) on the shed hairs means these are hairs that have completed their natural growth cycle. This confirms the hair is shedding from the follicle rather than breaking off mid-shaft due to damage. Keep in mind an important visual bias: longer hair creates substantially larger hairballs than shorter hair, often making normal daily shedding look alarming.
 

About Hair Shedding

• Daily Averages: The American Academy of Dermatology notes that losing 50 to 100 hairs a day is entirely normal.
 
• The Growth Cycle: At any given time, about 90% of your hair is in the active growth phase, while roughly 10% is in the resting/shedding phase, which lasts about three months.
 
• Telogen Effluvium: If you are shedding significantly more than 100 hairs daily, your body may be pushing excess hair into the shedding phase. This is a common reaction to stress, hormonal shifts, or nutritional deficiencies.
 

Nutrition and Hair Health

Your low-protein diet is a highly probable contributor to your excess shedding. Hair fibers are constructed primarily of the protein keratin. When you lack sufficient dietary protein, your body conserves its limited supply by shutting down non-essential functions like hair growth, prematurely shifting those follicles into the shedding phase.
 
• Vitamin E: While an excellent antioxidant for overall scalp health, it is not a standalone remedy or proven treatment for stopping hair loss.
 
• Critical Missing Nutrients: Deficiencies in Iron (ferritin), Vitamin D, Zinc, and B-vitamins are far more commonly linked to hair shedding than a lack of Vitamin E.
 

Next Steps

Genetics could be playing a role, but a medical evaluation is required to differentiate between hereditary thinning and diet-induced shedding.
 
• See a Doctor: Ask your doctor to check your thyroid function, ferritin (iron storage), Vitamin D, and hormone levels.
 
• Increase protein intake: Prioritize high-quality proteins (lean meats, legumes, eggs, or Greek yogurt) to give your body the essential building blocks for keratin.
 
• Gentle grooming: Wash your scalp regularly to clear buildup, use a wide-tooth comb on wet hair, and avoid tight hairstyles that cause tension on your hair’s roots.
 
This answer is intended for informational purposes only. For medical advice or a diagnosis, contact a doctor.
 
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See also:
 
Hair loss
 
Is wet hair more prone to hair loss?