Everyone loses a small amount of hair every day as part of their normal hair growth cycle. Knowing what constitutes as “normal” is helpful to understanding the hair growth cycle, easing concerns about hair loss, and establishing healthy hair care practices.
How Much Hair Loss Is Normal?
The average person tends to shed between 50 and 100 hairs per day. People with longer hair or those who wash or brush their hair less often may notice more hair when they groom themselves, but that does not mean there is anything wrong. There are many factors that affect how much shedding occurs on a daily basis. Age, time of the year, type of hair, daily habits, and diet can all affect the normal amount of hair loss.
How Long Does the Hair Shedding Phase Last?
Each of the 80,000 to 120,000 strands of hairs on your head is going through a cycle of anagen (the growth stage), catagen (the phase when the hair follicle separates from its blood supply), and telogen (the resting stage). After the telogen phase, during the exogen phase, the hair shaft is shed and the cycle begins anew. It is a cycle that repeats so long as the hair follicle remains active and continues to produce hair.
Roughly 9% of hair follicles are in the resting stage at any given moment. Though each hair is at its own place in the cycle, they typically last 2-5 years. The telogen phase, also known as the shedding phase, is typically 2-3 months. In the event of stress or hormonal imbalances, greater portions of your hair may enter the telogen phase resulting in more shedding.
How Do You Know If You’re Losing Too Much Hair?
The obvious signs include large clumps coming out after brushing or in the shower drain. New and noticeable thinning or bald spots appearing can also be a sign that something might be wrong. If the hair seems brittle or falls out easily when tugged, it may be time to check with a professional hair restoration doctor, dermatologist, or other healthcare provider.
Should I Be Worried About Hair Shedding?
The body can experience increased shedding that can be triggered by a multitude of factors. Stress, sickness, weight loss, some medications, or hormone changes can all be factors. Some people experience a condition called Telogen effluvium as a response to physical and emotional stressors.
Telogen effluvium is the second most common cause of hair loss. It typically is not permanent, and hair growth typically begins several months after the stressful conditions that caused it either ceases or are removed.
Why Is My Hair Shedding So Much?
There are many causes that can lead to excessive shedding:
- Stress – Physical and emotional stress can shock the body’s system into shedding.
- Hormones – Pregnancy, postpartum, menopause, thyroid disorders can affect the hair cycle.
- Diet – Not receiving the correct nutrients, especially iron, protein, or biotin. Generally, correcting the imbalance will eventually restore hair loss.
- Medications/Conditions – There are a whole host of medications and diseases that can affect hair. If you are concerned that the medication you are taking is causing hair loss, speak with your physician to learn more.
Book a Hair Loss Evaluation with PNW Hair Restoration
When you need to know if it is normal shedding or actual hair loss and the type, you need a professional assessment and diagnosis – since a number of factors contribute to each case. You need a custom solution, tailored specifically to your needs and hair goals. Contact PNW Hair Restoration today, and let us get you on the road to a full and healthy-looking head of hair.
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