If you are searching for how to reduce hair shedding, you have probably already tried a few things. A new shampoo. A vitamin. Maybe a scalp massager. We wanted real answers, not more guesses, so we commissioned an independent clinical study on Growing Season Botanical Hair Treatment with Advanced Science Laboratories, Inc. Here is what 50 days of controlled testing on excessive hair shedding actually showed.
Hair Shedding 101: What Counts as Normal
Before the results, a quick reset. Hair shedding is normal. It is natural to lose hair every day as part of a healthy hair growth cycle: a growth phase (anagen), a resting phase (telogen), and a release. Losing 50 to 100 hairs a day, the kind you find on your brush or in the shower drain, is normal hair shedding.
Excessive hair shedding is different. It shows up as thinning hair, noticeably fewer strands at the part, or a hairbrush that fills up faster than it used to. It is not the same as significant hair loss tied to a receding hairline or patchy hair loss, which often points to medical conditions and deserves its own conversation with a dermatologist. Our study focused specifically on the first kind: the everyday, excessive shedding that leaves existing hair thinner over time.
1. Hair shedding dropped by nearly half.
After 50 days of use, participants showed an average 48.61% reduction in hair shedding compared to their baseline. That result was statistically significant (two-tailed Student's t-test, p<0.0001), measured across 32 participants by a trained clinical evaluator. Not a self-reported survey. A counted, clinical number, and a meaningful step toward learning how to stop hair shedding for good.
2. A Method Already Trusted in Hair Research
Shedding was measured using the Maibach Hair Pull Test, a noninvasive method that uses consistent finger traction across four quadrants of the scalp to count loose hair already in the shedding phase. It's the same methodology used in peer-reviewed hair research, and it's what let researchers isolate Growing Season's actual effect rather than relying on self-reported change. That distinction matters here specifically because the result wasn't a fluke of the ingredients doing something exotic — it's Burdock and nettle oil calming the scalp environment enough for fewer hairs to shed in the first place.
3. The ingredients have a reason to work.
Burdock root oil, one of the two hero ingredients in Growing Season, is rich in phytosterols and fatty acids that support a calm, balanced scalp environment and have long been used to promote hair growth. Scalp irritation and inflammation are leading drivers of premature follicle shedding, so a healthy scalp matters as much as the hair itself. Nettle oil contributes silica, iron, and compounds studied for their role in follicle health, and has long been used in traditional formulas aimed at the male sex hormones linked to thinning. The clinical result gives those traditional use histories a measurable, modern foundation for scalp health.
4. Consistency is what moved the needle.
Participants in the study applied Growing Season at least twice per week, massaged into the scalp and through the lengths, left on for a minimum of two hours or overnight, then washed out. There was no single-use effect. The 48.61% reduction was the result of 50 days of consistent application, built into an actual hair care routine. That is how the hair cycle works: slowly, cumulatively, and in response to sustained input, not a single scalp treatment.
5. The real endpoint is density, not less shedding.
A reduction in shedding is not the same as new hair growth or hair regrowth. But it is the foundation for fuller-looking, increased hair density over time. When fewer strands leave during the telogen phase, more remain in place during the anagen, or active growth, phase. That shift, hairs staying in rather than falling out, is what adds up to visible density and healthier-looking hair overall.
What Actually Causes Excessive Hair Shedding
Hair shedding rarely has one cause. The most common drivers we hear about from our community include:
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Hormonal imbalances and hormonal changes. Pregnancy, postpartum recovery, coming off hormonal birth control, and thyroid shifts can all push more follicles into the resting phase at once.
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Mineral and vitamin deficiency. Low iron, zinc, or biotin levels are among the most reversible causes of hair thinning, often tied to gaps in diet or how well the body absorbs nutrients.
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Tight hairstyles and harsh chemical treatments. Repeated tension and harsh treatments stress the hair shaft and contribute to hair breakage at the root.
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Medical conditions. Telogen effluvium, thyroid disorders, and autoimmune conditions can all trigger noticed hair loss, so it's worth checking with your physician if it doesn't resolve.
If shedding continues for more than a few months, or you notice further hair loss alongside fine hair texture or a visibly thinning crown, it's recommended to speak with a dermatologist.
How to Reduce Hair Shedding: A Simple Routine
There is no single fix for how to stop excessive shedding, but a consistent routine helps prevent hair shedding before it becomes a bigger concern.
Start with a weekly or twice-weekly scalp treatment. Growing Season is designed as a pre-shampoo oil that you massage into the scalp to stimulate blood flow before washing. For extra stimulation, the Growing Season Derma Roller pairs with the oil to support microcirculation and product absorption.
Follow with a gentle, sulfate-free cleanse using the Growing Season Nourishing Shampoo rather than harsh treatments that can strip the scalp. Daily scalp massages, even without product, support blood flow and may help hair grows more evenly over time.
Diet matters too. A balanced diet rich in protein, iron, and biotin supports hair health and the hair growth cycle from the inside. For more on that connection, we cover specific foods and nutrients in Foods That Help Hair Growth and in our breakdown of Vitamins for Hair Growth.
Some people combine botanical hair growth serums and scalp oils with topical minoxidil for a more comprehensive approach. If you are exploring options beyond a single product, our guide to How to Stimulate Hair Growth walks through what is backed by evidence and what is not.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is hair shedding normal?
Yes. Losing 50 to 100 hairs a day is normal hair shedding, part of a healthy hair growth cycle. It only becomes a concern when the volume noticeably increases or continues for months.
Can a scalp massager or scalp massage help?
Massage may stimulate blood flow to the scalp and support a healthy environment for hair follicles. It's a helpful addition to a routine, though our clinical study tested oil application rather than massage alone.
What is telogen effluvium?
It's the clinical name for a temporary shedding phase, often called telogen effluvium, where stress, illness, hormonal changes, or vitamin deficiency push more hair into the resting phase at once. It's usually reversible once the trigger resolves.
Does topical minoxidil work alongside botanical treatments?
Many people use topical minoxidil and a botanical scalp treatment like Growing Season together as part of a layered routine. Speak with a dermatologist before combining treatments if you have existing scalp irritation or a medical condition.
How long until I see results?
Our clinical study measured results at 50 days of consistent twice-weekly use. Individual hair growth cycles vary, so most people should expect to wait at least 8 to 12 weeks before judging results.
Independent study conducted by Advanced Science Laboratories, Inc. (Report #MS25.INUSE.A3143.BURB.REP, October 2025). Results based on 32 participants over 50 days.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.