Men and women want to look in the mirror and see a full, thick head of healthy hair with movement and shine. So, when you look down at the drain and see a clumps of lost hair strands, it’s easy to assume that there’s a health problem causing hair loss. But some hair loss is completely normal for everyone and at every age. A human hair grows for 3 to 6 years and when it’s reached its life cycle, it will rest and then shed making room for another hair to grow.
When you wash your hair thoroughly in the shower, hairs that have reached their life cycle and are loose or disconnected from your scalp will fall out. While it might look like a lot, you’re probably seeing normal hair shedding.
If you’re experiencing hair loss that’s unusual for you, including bald spots, patchy loss, or excessive shedding, you should see your primary care physician or hair loss specialist.
How much hair loss is normal in a day
According to the American Academy of Dermatologists, it’s normal to lose anywhere from 50 to 100 strands of hair per day. For people with longer hair strands, the shedding will appear to be more. Since there are 100,000 or more hairs on each person’s scalp, the loss of 100 or so hair strands a day doesn’t make a significant difference in appearance. But…if you have persistent shedding, which is more than normal for you, thinning areas will certainly begin to appear over time. If this is happening to you, make sure you do something about it as soon as possible because it is much easier to hold on to what you have than regrow what you have lost.
Average hair loss in men and women
Women tend to lose more hair strands per day than men. There’s no way to measure the difference objectively, because daily heat styling and frequent hair coloring plays a big part in how much of your hair sheds. Approximately 40 % of women lose extra hair every day because of the way they style it. Women are also more likely than men to experience periods of increased hair shedding due to life events like pregnancy and menopause.
When to see a Specialist
See your doctor or hair loss specialist if you’re concerned about how much hair you are losing on a daily basis. A gradual thinning on the top of your head, the appearance of patchy or bald spots on your scalp, and hair loss on your body are signs that there may be an underlying health condition. A doctor will be able to assess whether your hair loss is normal shedding by doing some bloodwork and physical examination. Remember, doctors don’t specialize in hair loss treatments, but it is good to see your primary care doctor to check and see if you have any underlying conditions.
Takeaway
It’s not unusual to lose hair strands every day. But if you’re worried about clumps of hair in your hairbrush or in the shower drain, talk to your doctor. Factors like stress, medication, and underlying medical conditions can all aggravate hair loss. A professional assessment can put your mind at ease.