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At some point, most adults have probably looked down at the bathroom or shower floor after getting ready for the day and noticed the amount of hair everywhere. Shedding hair is common, but how much hair loss is normal? If you’re concerned by the amount you’re shedding, there are ways to tell if you’re losing too much hair.
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How can I tell if I am losing too much hair?
The average person loses somewhere between 50 and 100 strands of hair per day, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. Yes, that’s a lot, so don’t panic if you see a few strands in your bathroom. Maybe you brushed or detangled your hair one day and discovered that there were a few more stray hairs left behind in your paddle brush than the usual. Or maybe you glanced at the perimeter of your scalp one day and realized that your hairline has gotten slightly thinner since the last time you really took a look at it. Whether permanent or temporary, hair loss happens to the best of us—even celebrities.
Hair loss symptoms
If you find about ten hairs, you're likely losing a normal amount. If you find more than ten, you might want to reach out to your doctor. It’s common to lose less hair than usual while you’re pregnant, and for the hair to begin to fall out about two months after the pregnancy ends.
Avoid harsh products
If you’re losing more hair than you would expect, and you think it may be related to medication, discuss the situation with your doctor. There are also medical conditions that can cause hair loss, like the autoimmune disease alopecia areata. If you are concerned by the amount of hair falling out, you don’t need to suffer in silence. These doctors specialize in diagnosing and treating the skin, hair, and nails. A dermatologist can tell you whether you have hair loss or excessive hair shedding. "For instance, if you count your hair over a few weeks and notice that about an average of 90 hairs fall out, you might decide that this is okay, because it fits nicely in the 'normal' range," he explains.
The Catagen Phase (Transition)
"Light shedding is normal and part of the hair's life cycle," affirms Amy McMichael, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and the spokesperson for the Reflections of Alopecia Areata campaign. "You may see this type of hair shedding when you shower or brush your hair." If any of these symptoms are present, it is recommended to reach out to a healthcare provider who can assess your condition and provide appropriate diagnosis and treatment options. Seeking medical attention in such cases can help identify any underlying causes or medical conditions contributing to hair loss and ensure timely intervention. The anagen phase is the active growth phase of hair follicles. It typically lasts for several years, ranging from two to six years on the scalp.
Hair Loss in Women: When Should You Worry?
It’s best to see a healthcare professional for any unexplained hair loss so they can determine the underlying cause and best course of treatment. If you’re currently losing hair, use a gentle baby shampoo to wash your hair. Unless you have extremely oily hair, consider washing your hair only every other day or less.
How to Reduce Hair Shedding
The unexpected sight of a brush, pillow, or drain full of hair can be jarring. It may even prompt you to wonder how much hair loss is normal. The good news is that everyone with long enough hair is bound to spot some strands in those common catchall spots, but there is a point when shedding can become abnormal.
What is the prognosis (outlook) for people with hair loss?
Factors like stress, medication, and underlying medical conditions can all aggravate hair loss. Traction alopecia is the result of environmental factors, such as wearing your hair in tight hairstyles, Agbai says. Telogen effluvium refers to the excessive shedding of hair follicles, and it occurs when hair follicles prematurely skip to the end of the hair growth cycle, she adds. Experts say the average number of hairs shed by men and women per day is about the same. However, women or people with long hair are more likely to notice hair loss, explains Andy Goren, M.D., board-certified dermatologist, trichologist, and chief medical officer of Daniel Alain. Goren says 60% of women who suffer from the most common form of permanent hair loss, androgenic alopecia, exhibit excessive shedding of more than 400 hairs per day when washing their hair.
How to Tell If You’re Losing Too Much Hair
Here are some clear signs you’re losing too much hair to watch out for. After the telogen phase, the hair follicle re-enters the anagen phase, hence why it's called a cycle. As Dr. Kinler notes, hair loss becomes a bigger concern "when there is an imbalance in the growth cycle, leading to excessive shedding or a failure of new hair to replace the old." It's typical to lose some hair every day as part of your hair’s usual growth cycle. For most people, the lost hair grows back, and you maintain a full head of hair.
But shedding—even a lot of it—is often normal and happens to everyone. However, if you notice excessive hair loss or significant thinning, it is advisable to consult your healthcare provider for further evaluation and guidance. The catagen phase is a short transitional phase that signals the end of the active growth phase. During this phase, the hair follicle shrinks, and hair growth stops. The lower part of the hair follicle attaches to the hair strand, and the blood supply to the hair is cut off.
By Sarah Jividen, RNJividen is a freelance healthcare journalist. She has over a decade of direct patient care experience working as a registered nurse specializing in neurotrauma, stroke, and the emergency room. "Usually, people are pretty savvy about knowing how much shedding is typical for them," dermatologist Paradi Mirmirani, MD, an AAD faculty member, tells LIVESTRONG.com. Not getting enough iron, protein or vitamin B12 in your diet can also cause your hair to thin. If this happens to you, talk to your doctor about supplements. If the increase is sharp, it may be best to see a doctor or dermatologist.
According to board-certified dermatologist Stephanie Saxton-Daniels, MD, "hair shedding is the amount that comes out daily, whereas hair loss occurs when something prevents the hair from growing." If you're pregnant, you may start to notice more or less hair shedding than typical and that can change throughout your pregnancy. This cause of hair loss can triple the amount of hair you lose each day, increasing the number of strands lost from around 100 to around 300, says Kingsley.
It is normal to naturally shed around 50 to 100 hairs every day. However, when an individual experiences a substantial increase in daily hair shedding, it may be classified as excessive. Medically referred to as telogen effluvium, this condition signifies an abnormality in the hair-shedding process.
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