How Much Hair Loss Is Normal? What Does Too Much Hair Loss Look Like?

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Hair loss is such a bummer - to see your once abundant head of hair crumbling in its glory - that's enough to make a grown adult cry, isn't it?

Sometimes your diet and lifestyle are the root cause of your hair fall, but sometimes it is entirely hereditary. In the case of the first scenario, hair loss can be reversed with a healthy diet and improved lifestyle, but the same cannot be said for the other.

Irrespective of the causes, hair loss is normal!

Today, we will take a look at how much hair loss is normal and what does too much hair loss look like?

How Much Hair Loss Is Normal?

In general, healthy hair is defined by its volume, movement, and shine. It is easy to assume that when you see hair strands falling down the drain, there is a health problem. However, some hair loss is normal for everyone and at every age [1].

If you thoroughly wash your hair in the shower, hairs that have already detached themselves from your scalp congregate near the drain. Even though it might seem excessive, it is probably just normal hair loss.

Is It Normal To Lose Hair On A Daily Basis?

It is normal for people with long hair strands to lose up to 100 strands every day. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, losing these strands is pretty normal!

As each person has 100,000 hair follicles on their scalp, losing 100 or so hair strands per day does not make a significant difference in appearance because there are 100,000 or more hair follicles on the scalp [2].

How Can You Tell If You Are Losing Too Much Hair?

Start by running your fingers through a small area of clean, dry hair, pulling gently once you reach the ends. If more than two or three hairs are left on your hand after each tug, you may be experiencing telogen or anagen effluvium.

It is recommended that no more than ten hairs per 100 strands are coming out. You will need to see a physician to determine the cause [3].

Hair Loss In Men And Women

In general, women lose more hair strands per day than men, but there is no objective way to measure the difference since daily heat styling and frequent hair colouring contribute to the amount of hair that you shed [4][5].

As a result of the way they style their hair, 40 percent of women lose extra hair every day. In addition, women are more likely than men to experience periods of increased hair shedding as a result of life events such as pregnancy and menopause.

When To See A Doctor For Hair Loss?

When you are concerned about the amount of hair that you are losing every day, contact your doctor. There may be an underlying health condition if your hair is gradually thinning on top of your head, you have patchy hair on your scalp, and your whole body is losing hair [6].

You will be able to determine if your hair loss is a result of normal shedding by consulting a physician.

On A Final Note...

The first step should be to schedule an appointment with your primary care physician or dermatologist if you notice hair loss that is unusual for you, such as bald spots, patchiness, or clumps of hair falling out.