How many hairs should you lose in a day? It’s normal and expected to lose around 50 to 100 strands of hair a day. Learn what’s normal and what isn't.
Seeing clumps of hair in your hairbrush or shower drain? Well, this might be completely normal. Our hair naturally goes through cycles of growth, shedding, and stagnancy. It’s normal for hair to shed throughout the day. Let’s dive into hair shedding, what’s considered normal and what to do if it’s excessive.
According to the American Academy of Dermatology Association, it’s normal and expected to lose around 50 to 100 strands of hair a day. Some sources say it’s typical to lose between 150 to 200 strands per day.
This is considered “hair shedding”, which is perfectly normal and a part of the hair growth cycle. But, if hair fall-out exceeds this normal daily amount, it could be considered excessive shedding or hair loss.
Hairs will shed and fall out throughout the day, but they also may primarily come out when you brush or wash your hair, which could be a little more alarming than a single rogue hair on your sweater.
If your hair is thick, wavy, dry, and/or often kept up in a ponytail or bun, your hair shedding might get trapped in your locks and come out when washed or brushed. Many people, depending on their hair type and texture, do not wash their hair daily, so this natural hair fall-out can build up and hair shedding might appear more abundant once you do wash your hair.
Seeing a small clump of hair in your shower drain after a shower can be a little disturbing, but chances are, it’s normal.
On a head of over 100,000 hair follicles, losing a few hundred strands of hair is a very little amount. Especially considering a portion of your hair is already in its regrowth process.
Losing 100 - 150 hairs per day is part and parcel of a healthy hair growth cycle. The hairs that end up in your hairbrush were likely in what is called the telogen phase of the growth cycle; also known as the shedding phase.
Hair loss, however, is when something interrupts this healthy hair growth cycle, and hair does not regrow after it has shed or, the shedding is accelerated. This growth cycle interruption can cause a loss of hair.
Hair loss can be caused by:
Stress can be described as the body’s reaction to a challenge or demand. This challenge could be emotional, or physical. Stress can greatly impact a healthy hair growth cycle. Common stressors that can cause excessive hair shedding:
Excessive hair shedding can be observed after a stressful event. Most notice the hair shedding around two months after the event or illness. Most excessive hair shedding is considered normal but temporary.
Hair shedding, breakage, and hair loss might also be caused by hair damage caused by styling, chemical or heat treatments, or hair coloring and bleaching. If you are concerned about the health of your hair, try taking a break from any damaging treatments. Try to be as gentle as you can with your hair.
Speak to a doctor or dermatologist about what you have observed with shedding or hair loss. Your physician will be able to determine if the shedding is normal. If there is excessive shedding they will be able to determine if it was caused by a recent medical treatment, stressful event, or hormonal changes. If hair loss is persistent, topical, and oral medications might be prescribed to encourage hair growth.
If your hair loss or shedding turns out to be more than the normal everyday growth process there are topical and oral medication solutions. For female hair loss
Related: How to make your hair grow faster: 10 easy tips
If you are dealing with excessive hair shedding, slow regrowth, or general hair loss, you don’t need to figure out treatment by yourself.
Strut offers free online consultations for the treatment of hair loss.
We offer prescription-strength treatments for both male pattern baldness and female hair loss.
Get started today and take a step toward strong, healthy locks.
.png)
.png){kind=icon}
.png){kind=icon}
