It usually starts with something small. A few more strands in the brush, a fuller shower drain, hair on your pillow in the morning. For many women, hair shedding becomes more noticeable after 30, and it is often the moment they start looking more closely at what their hair actually needs.
Before reaching for a solution, it helps to understand what is normal, what can change with age, and where a mineral like silica fits into the bigger picture.
Shedding is part of the natural hair cycle. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, it is normal to shed between 50 and 100 hairs a day. Most of the time, you do not notice it, because new hairs are growing at the same pace.
Every hair follicle goes through three main phases:
Growth (anagen): the active phase, which can last several years on the scalp.
Transition (catagen): a short phase of a few weeks, when growth stops.
Resting and shedding (telogen): a phase of roughly two to three months, after which the hair falls out, making room for a new one.
Shedding becomes noticeable when more follicles than usual move into the resting phase at the same time.
There is rarely one single cause. In most cases, it is a combination of factors that build up over time:
Stress and life events: physical or emotional stress, illness, surgery or giving birth can push more hairs into the resting phase. The extra shedding often shows up a few months after the trigger, which is why it can seem to come out of nowhere.
Hormonal shifts: changes in hormones, including those around pregnancy, postpartum and the years leading up to menopause, can affect the hair cycle.
Nutrition: hair is a fast-growing tissue, so low intake of protein, iron and other nutrients can play a role. Restrictive diets can too.
Styling: frequent heat, tight hairstyles and chemical treatments can weaken the hair shaft and increase breakage, which is easy to confuse with shedding.
Age: as we get older, the rate of hair growth naturally slows down.
If shedding is sudden, comes out in patches or is accompanied by scalp irritation, fatigue or other symptoms, it is worth talking to a doctor or dermatologist. Some causes, like thyroid changes or iron deficiency, need a proper diagnosis.
Silicon is a trace mineral found in the body, and it is present in hair at roughly 1 to 10 parts per million. It has been suggested to play a role in the formation of connective tissue (Wickett et al., 2007). The LIVING SILICA® formula contributes to the production of collagen, a protein important for maintaining healthy skin, hair & nails.
When it comes to hair specifically, one of the most cited studies is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial published in 2007. Forty-eight women with fine hair took a bioavailable form of silicon (10 mg of silicon per day) or a placebo for nine months. Over that time, the hair of women in the placebo group lost break load, a measure of how much force a strand can take before it breaks. In the silicon group, break load did not change significantly. The silicon group also showed a smaller decline in elasticity and a significant increase in hair cross-sectional area, a measure of thickness (Wickett et al., 2007).
It is important to read this research accurately. The study measured hair strength and thickness, not shedding, and it used a different silicon formulation from LIVING SILICA®. Still, stronger, thicker strands are less prone to breakage, and that matters for anyone who feels their hair is getting thinner or more fragile over time.
Silica is not a replacement for a medical evaluation when shedding has an underlying cause. What it can do is support the structures that healthy skin, hair & nails depend on, as part of a consistent daily protocol.
Think of it as one piece of a bigger foundation:
Nutrition first: enough protein, iron and other nutrients gives your body the raw materials it needs to build hair.
Complementary nutrients: biotin is a B vitamin that many people include in their skin, hair & nails protocol. Ask your healthcare provider what fits you.
Consistency over time: hair grows slowly, so changes in new growth take months to become visible. In the 2007 study, participants took silicon daily for nine months.
Gentle care: less heat, looser hairstyles and a gentle brush help reduce mechanical breakage.
Silicon is found in foods like whole grains, oats, barley, green beans and some mineral waters. How much your body absorbs, however, depends heavily on the source and the chemical form. A scientific review found that the bioavailability of silicon supplements varies widely, from less than 1% to nearly 50%, and that absorption decreases as the degree of polymerization increases (Araújo et al., 2016).
That is why the form matters more than the amount printed on the label.
LIVING SILICA® is a US-patented silicon formula made with Heritage Concentrate™, our proprietary process that keeps silicon in a small, monomeric form for superior absorption. The result is a water-soluble, bioavailable form of silicon your body can use.
Take your LIVING SILICA® formula at the same time every day, following the directions on the label.
Build meals around protein and colorful vegetables.
Consider complementary nutrients, such as biotin, if they fit your protocol and your healthcare provider agrees.
If shedding persists, ask your doctor about checking your iron levels.
Give it time: hair grows about half an inch a month, so changes in new growth take months to show.
Can silica stop hair shedding?
Shedding is a natural process with many possible causes, so no supplement can stop it on its own. The research on silicon and hair measured strength and thickness, not shedding.
How long does it take to see results?
Because hair grows slowly, changes in new growth take months. In the 2007 study, participants took silicon daily for nine months.
Can I take silica and biotin together?
They are different nutrients, and many people include both in their protocol. If you take other supplements or medications, check with your healthcare provider first.
Hair shedding after 30 is common, and it is usually the result of several factors working together. Silica is one part of a protocol that supports skin, hair & nails from the inside, alongside good nutrition, gentle care and patience.
Ready to add silica to your protocol? Discover LIVING SILICA® MINERAL-BASED COLLAGEN BOOSTER
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.
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