Hair Shedding Treatment
Evidence-based medical treatment for sudden or excessive hair fall. Shedding almost always has a trigger — our doctor-led approach finds and treats that underlying cause so your hair can recover. Delivered by Primary Care Doctors Focused on Skin Health across Penang, Kedah, Perak and Kuala Lumpur.
Shedding Almost Always Has a Trigger
Losing 50 to 100 hairs a day is normal. Excessive shedding — medically known as telogen effluvium — happens when a trigger pushes an unusually large number of hairs into the resting phase at once. Two to three months later they shed together, so hair comes out in handfuls when you wash or brush and thins diffusely across the whole scalp rather than in patches.
That delay is why the cause is so often missed — the illness, childbirth or stressful period that triggered it feels long past. The good news is that the follicles are not damaged, so hair usually recovers once the trigger is addressed. At DSH, shedding is assessed by fully registered medical practitioners — Primary Care Doctors Focused on Skin Health — who look for the trigger, check for causes such as iron deficiency or thyroid problems, and build a personalised plan. Looking for hair shedding treatment in Penang, Kedah, Perak or Kuala Lumpur? The same standard of care applies at every location.
Common Triggers We Look For
Illness, Fever & Surgery
A significant illness, high fever or operation can push hairs into the resting phase, with shedding following a few months later.
Childbirth & Hormonal Change
Postpartum shedding is very common as hormone levels fall after delivery — usually starting two to four months afterwards.
Stress & Major Life Events
Sustained emotional or physical stress can disrupt the hair growth cycle and trigger a wave of shedding months later.
Iron Deficiency
One of the most common and most treatable causes of shedding — easily checked with a blood test and corrected.
Thyroid & Medical Conditions
An underactive or overactive thyroid, and some other medical conditions, can cause ongoing diffuse shedding.
Crash Diets & Medication
Rapid weight loss, very restrictive dieting and certain medications can all disrupt the growth cycle and trigger shedding.
Our Approach
At DSH Medical Group, we believe that effective treatment is more than just prescribing medication — it is about understanding the root cause, providing personalised care, and partnering with you for long-term skin health.
Treat the Root Cause, Not Just the Symptoms
We believe that lasting improvement begins with identifying why the condition occurs. Our doctors take time to understand your medical history, lifestyle, and environmental factors. When necessary, investigations such as blood tests or allergy testing may be recommended to help identify potential triggers, allowing treatment to target the underlying cause rather than simply suppressing symptoms.
Personalised, Safe & Effective Treatment
Every patient's skin is unique. We develop an individualised treatment plan based on your specific condition, which may include:
- Customized topical formulations
- Safe and gradual tapering regimens
- Targeted occlusion techniques and adjunctive therapies
- Practical skincare recommendations
Our priority is always to provide treatment that is safe, effective, evidence-based, and affordable.
Continuous Follow-Up for Long-Term Control
Skin conditions often change over time, and treatment should evolve accordingly. Our doctors monitor your progress closely and adjust your treatment plan whenever necessary to achieve better control, minimise relapses, and deliver lasting results.
Professional Medical Advice Without Hard Selling
Your health always comes first. We do not believe in unnecessary treatments or expensive product sales. Every recommendation we make is based on your medical needs, with the goal of providing the most appropriate and beneficial care for your condition.
Empowering Patients Through Education
Successful treatment is a partnership between doctor and patient. We believe that helping you understand your condition is just as important as prescribing the right medication. Our doctors will explain:
- Why your skin condition occurs or recurs
- How to reduce triggers and prevent flare-ups
- How to care for your skin correctly
- What to expect throughout your treatment journey
Because when patients understand their condition, they are better equipped to achieve healthier skin and enjoy long-term results.
Hair Shedding Treatment Options Explained
Treating shedding is mostly about identifying and correcting what triggered it. Your DSH doctor recommends a plan after assessing your scalp and history — often combining the options below. Because hair grows slowly, density returns over months rather than weeks.
Correcting the Trigger
Where a cause such as iron deficiency, a thyroid problem or a medication effect is identified, treating it is the most effective step. This alone often settles the shedding.
Supporting Regrowth
Topical treatments and scalp care may be recommended to support the growth cycle while your hair recovers. Your doctor advises what is genuinely worthwhile for your situation.
Ruling Out Pattern Hair Loss
Shedding can unmask underlying pattern hair loss, and the two often coexist. We check for this so you are not left treating only half the problem.
Managing Shedding at Home
Alongside treatment, these habits help your hair recover and stop the shedding being made worse.
- Be gentle with your hair. Avoid tight hairstyles, harsh brushing and heavy heat styling while your hair is shedding — it will not stop the shedding, but it prevents extra breakage.
- Don't stop washing your hair. Shed hairs are released during washing, so washing less does not reduce shedding — it just collects it for the next wash.
- Eat enough, and enough protein. Crash diets and very restrictive eating are a common trigger. Steady, adequate nutrition supports the growth cycle.
- Manage stress where you can. Sustained stress is a genuine trigger for shedding — and worrying about hair loss can prolong the cycle.
- Don't take supplements blindly. Supplements only help if you are genuinely deficient. Get tested rather than guessing — excess iron in particular can be harmful.
- Expect recovery to take time. Shedding usually settles within three to six months once the trigger is treated, but density takes longer to return. Short new hairs at the hairline are a good sign.
When to See a Doctor for Hair Shedding
Book an appointment if…
Shedding has lasted more than six weeks; hair comes out in handfuls; your scalp is becoming visible; you have symptoms such as fatigue, heavy periods or weight change that suggest a deficiency or thyroid problem; or the shedding started after a new medication.
What to expect at your visit
Your doctor will examine your scalp and hair density, and ask in detail about the six months before the shedding began. Blood tests are often arranged. It helps to note when the shedding started, any illness, childbirth or diet change, and any medication you take.
Real Hair Shedding Results
Experiences shared by patients treated for hair shedding at our clinics across Malaysia.
Hair Shedding FAQs
Everything you need to know about treating hair shedding at DSH.
Book an Appointment-
Losing around 50 to 100 hairs a day is completely normal — hair naturally cycles through growth and resting phases. Shedding becomes a concern when it is noticeably more than usual, lasts more than a few weeks, comes out in handfuls when washing or brushing, or your hair feels visibly less dense.
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Telogen effluvium is the medical name for excessive hair shedding. A trigger such as illness, childbirth, stress or nutritional deficiency pushes an unusually large number of hairs into the resting phase at once. They shed together a few months later, causing diffuse thinning all over the scalp rather than in patches.
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This delay is characteristic of telogen effluvium. Hairs pushed into the resting phase by a trigger stay there for roughly two to three months before falling out, so the shedding typically appears well after the event that caused it. This is why the trigger is often overlooked.
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Common triggers include serious illness or high fever, surgery, childbirth, significant emotional stress, rapid weight loss or crash dieting, iron deficiency, thyroid problems and certain medications. Sometimes more than one factor is involved, which is why a proper medical assessment matters.
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In most cases yes. Telogen effluvium does not damage the follicles, so once the trigger is identified and addressed the shedding usually settles within three to six months and density recovers over the following months. Regrowth can be slow, so follow-up matters.
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Shedding is diffuse and sudden — hair comes out all over the scalp, often in handfuls, usually after a trigger. Pattern hair loss is gradual and follows a recognisable pattern such as a receding hairline, thinning crown or widening parting. The two can occur together, which is why diagnosis is important.
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Yes. Postpartum shedding is a very common form of telogen effluvium. Raised hormone levels during pregnancy keep hair in the growth phase for longer, and when those levels fall after delivery the retained hairs shed together — usually starting two to four months afterwards and settling within a year.
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Often yes. Because iron deficiency and thyroid problems are common and treatable causes of shedding, your doctor may arrange blood tests to check for them. Treating a deficiency you actually have is far more effective than taking supplements speculatively.
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We provide hair shedding treatment across Penang, Kedah, Perak and Kuala Lumpur. No referral is needed — book directly at the location most convenient for you.
Start Your Hair Journey
Ready to Stop the Shedding?
Book a hair shedding consultation at your nearest DSH location. No referral needed — just bring your questions.