It is not uncommon to leave a trail of hair on your clothes, by your bed, in your brush, and in the shower; but how much do you lose in a day? And how do you know if it’s an OK amount?
How Much Hair Do We Shed Daily?
On average, people lose 50-150 hairs a day from their heads. Longer hairs tend to be more noticeable when shed. Many factors can also cause you to shed more or less. For example, older men tend to lose more hair. Women experience more hair loss soon after childbirth, due to hormonal changes, which cause them to lose less hair during the pregnancy. Generally, this shedding is part of the natural hair cycle and is healthy. Below, we will discuss the hair cycle, keeping it healthy, and more.
The Hair Cycle
The cycle shows the stages of growth that hairs go through. The average person has around 100,000 hairs on their head. At any given time, your locks can be at different stages of the cycle, which is why so few shed comparatively. There are four steps in the hair cycle. They are the Anagen (growing), Catagen (transition), Telogen (resting), and Exogen (shedding) phases.
Anagen Phase
The anagen phase is 2-6 years long when hairs begin to grow and develop. During this time, nutrients move from the follicle into the growing stand. The follicle acts like a plant root at this stage, drawing nutrients to grow the shaft. The follicle pushes it out, and it will continue to grow until they eventually fall out in a later stage. Up to 90 percent of all of your hair is in this stage.
Catagen Phase
The catagen phase starts next. It lasts for roughly 10-15 days. During this time, the follicle shrinks, and growth slows down. The hair will separate from the follicle but remain on the scalp. Only about 5% of the hair on your head is in this phase.
Telogen Phase
During this phase, the hair doesn’t grow, but they rarely fall out either. The telogen phase lasts roughly 3 months, and about 10% of your hair is in this phase at a given time. Rather, new hairs begin to form in the follicle, below the existing strands that detached during the catagen phase.
Exogen Phase
During the final stage, shedding begins. This phase is almost an extension of the Telogen phase and lasts 2-5 months. Generally, you will shed 50-150 hairs a day, often facilitated by brushing, combing, and washing. During this time, new growth helps push the exogen hairs out of the scalp to encourage new growth.
Brittleness, Damage, and Loss
In most cases, the amount of locks you lose daily is normal. However, it can also be an indicator of your health. Poor diet, excess stress, and other conditions can also contribute to shedding. Overall, damaged or brittle hair is more prone to shedding or breaking.
Keeping Your Hair Healthy
Keeping your locks healthy, moisturized, and strong is important. Consider changing shampoos or ask your hairdresser for product and care suggestions. Shampoos with keratin compounds can be helpful in restoring follicle strength. You may also want to ask your doctor if vitamin supplements are right for you. Additionally, stress relief, changes in diet, and more can also help keep your hair healthy. Regular haircuts can also help cut away brittle or damaged strands.
Abnormal or Excess Loss
If you think you are losing more hair than normal, consult your doctor. They can help determine if you are losing in excess, and if there is anything that can be done to reduce or remedy the situation.
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