That can feel scary, but it doesn’t always mean something is wrong. Here are some possible reasons and what you can do: ** Your scalp may be sensitive to an ingredient or the pH wasn't adjusted correctly. Do a patch test before using a new version of the shampoo. If you did that already and your scalp feels itchy, red, or irritated after using the shampoo, stop and check again the pH of the formula and make sure you haven't added more than 2-3 drops of essential oil which can be irritating in large amounts. ** The hair was already about to fall. Sometimes gentle shampoos don’t hide hair fall like store-bought ones with silicones. Those hairs were already in their falling phase. If your scalp feels calm and fresh after drying, it’s a good sign even if you still noticed hair fall. ** You may have scrubbed too much. DIY shampoos don’t lather as much, so we tend to scrub harder. This can loosen weak hairs that were about to fall anyway. Be gentle. Use the soft part of your fingers and avoid using nails. ** You used oil or had product buildup. If you used heavy oils before shampooing or had a lot of buildup, the shampoo may not have worked properly. Try rinsing with warm water first, or do a light pre-wash to help remove buildup. ** Your scalp is adjusting. This shampoo is more natural than what most people are used to. Sometimes the scalp needs time to adjust. That first reaction doesn’t always mean something bad — it may be part of the transition. Also remember, shampoo alone may not give your strands enough slip. You’ll learn later in the challenge (and in more detail inside the Lab) how to use conditioners, leave-ins, and other care to support your hair fully. You’re not doing anything wrong — this is part of learning what your hair really needs. Keep going