You've probably read about it: shedding. Increased hair loss at the start of a hair growth treatment. With minoxidil, it's almost a certainty. The same goes for many other serums. And there you are, with more hair on your brush than before, wondering if you made the right choice.
In this article, we explain what shedding actually is, why it's unavoidable with certain products, and why that's not the case with Hairborn.
What is shedding?
Your hair grows in cycles. There's a growth phase (anagen), a transitional phase (catagen), and a resting phase (telogen). At the end of the resting phase, the hair falls out, and the cycle begins anew.
Shedding occurs when a product disrupts the hair cycle. Hairs that were still in the resting phase are, as it were, expelled prematurely. That sounds alarming, but the idea behind it is that the follicle can then enter the growth phase sooner and stronger.
In practice, this means you'll see more hair loss in the first few weeks before improvement occurs. For some people, this phase lasts two weeks; for others, two months.
Why does minoxidil cause shedding?
Minoxidil is a blood pressure-lowering medication originally used as a pill and coincidentally found to stimulate hair growth as a side effect. It works by widening the blood vessels in the scalp, bringing more blood and nutrients to the hair follicles.
The problem: minoxidil actively pushes hairs out of the resting phase and forces them back into the growth phase. This doesn't happen gradually. The body reacts with a sudden expulsion of hairs that weren't actually ready to fall out yet. Hence the shedding.
For most people, the shedding passes. But it's unpleasant, difficult to explain to yourself or those around you, and for people with already thinning hair, it can be an anxious period.
Why doesn't Hairborn have a shedding phase?
Hairborn does not work on that "shock" principle. Our formula, including Redensyl, Procapil, and Baicapil, gradually supports the hair follicle without forcing the hair cycle.
The result: no shedding phase. You simply start with the serum, you see changes over weeks and months, and you don't lose hair as a reaction to the product.
What if you're already experiencing shedding from another product?
If you switch from minoxidil or another serum to Hairborn, you might still experience some hair loss related to the previous product wearing off. Minoxidil, in particular, has a known rebound effect: if you stop using it, a period of increased shedding can follow as the follicles revert to their own rhythm.
In that case, it's advisable to make the transition gradually, or to consult a doctor if you've been using minoxidil for a long time. Hairborn is not a medicine and is intended for daily support of healthy hair, not as a tapering-off agent.
How do you know if a product causes shedding?
Not every brand is transparent about this. Look at the active ingredients. Minoxidil and finasteride are substances that actively influence the hair cycle. If a brand claims that shedding "is a good sign," you are likely using a product that works on that "shock" principle.
With Hairborn, shedding is not an expected reaction. If you experience more hair loss than usual in the first few weeks while only using Hairborn, it can almost always be explained by something else: stress, nutritional deficiencies, hormonal fluctuations, or an existing underlying problem. In that case, it's worth looking at your diet, sleep, and stress levels as well.
How long does it take for Hairborn to show results?
Hair growth is slow. That applies to every product, including ours. On average, people see a difference in hair thickness and quality after eight to twelve weeks of consistent use. For visible growth in cases of baldness or thinning hair, it may take longer.
What you'll notice sooner is less shedding and hair that feels stronger. These are signs that the follicles are better supported. Visible growth comes after that.
Use the Growth Serum daily, apply it to the dry or damp scalp, and massage it in. Combine it with the Derma Roller if you want to enhance its effect: micro-needling increases the absorption of active ingredients and stimulates blood circulation in its own way, without disrupting the cycle.
Finally
Shedding is not universal. It is a side effect of specific mechanisms of action, not of hair growth products in general. If you choose a product that supports the follicle instead of shocking it, you don't have to wait for it.
With Hairborn, that is the starting point. No fright phase, no weeks of doubt. Just consistent use, and the time that hair growth simply needs.