It’s normal and natural for your hair to fall out. However, exactly how much hair loss is normal?
The answer to that depends on what’s normal for you. People lose different amounts of hair on a daily basis. And there are a number of factors that can influence this, such as lifestyle, diet, and general health.
Still, when it comes to hair loss, there’s a certain threshold that’s considered “normal.” You should be aware of it so you can seek help when you need it.
How Much Hair Loss Is Normal Every Day?
According to the NHS, it’s normal to lose 50 to 100 strands of hair a day. This much hair loss usually goes unnoticed.
It should also be noted that losing 50-100 strands of hair every day is considered “shedding,” not hair loss. It’s a normal part of the hair growth cycle and nothing to worry about.
At any given time, more than 85% of the hair is in the growing (anagen) phase, which lasts anywhere from 2-6 years.
However, the hair in the anagen phase eventually moves to the catagen, telogen and exogen phases. This is what results in normal shedding.
Keep in mind that, on average, the human head has 100,000 hair (and hair follicles) on the scalp. So, if you lose 50 strands of hair a day, it’s just 0.05% of your total hair.
The hair you lose will be replaced by new, healthy hair unless you suffer from permanent hair loss.
How Much Hair Loss Is Normal In The Shower?
Many people complain of losing more hair in the shower. However, according to Cleveland Clinic, it’s normal to lose 150 to 200 strands of hair in the shower.
The main reason why people lose more hair when showering is that at the end of the growth cycle, hair needs a tug to be pulled out of the scalp.
Lathering the shampoo and then washing the hair can do that. As a result, you might notice more hair falling out.
It’s also important to keep in mind that people with longer hair might think that they’re losing more hair simply because of its length.
It’s because a longer hair strand will likely curl on itself, making it appear as if there are two or more strands of hair instead of one.
Additionally, you need to bear in mind that if you’re not washing your hair daily, there will be a “buildup” of shed hair.
So, when you wash your head after a few days, it may look like you’ve lost a lot more hair than you usually do.
How Much Hair Loss Is Normal When Brushing Hair?
You may notice more hair loss when you brush or comb your hair. It’s also because the hair at the end of the growth cycle is being tugged and taken out by the bristles of the brush.
However, again, if you have long hair, it may look like you’ve lost a lot more hair. That’s because the single strand of hair will be wound around quite a few bristles.
Keep in mind that some people notice more hair loss when they brush their hair while it’s wet. It’s believed that the hair is at its weakest when it’s wet, so you should wait till your hair becomes dry.
And if you brush your hair after an interval of a few days, your hair brush will be full of hair because days’ worth of hair will be stuck in it.
How Much Hair Loss Is Normal In Men vs Women?
In both men and women, it’s normal to lose 50 to 100 strands of hair. However, differences in hair styling practices can make women more vulnerable to different types of hair loss.
For instance, in general, more women use hair dyes than men. And the chemicals in hair dyes have a tendency to damage hair. That can cause more hair loss in women.
Similarly, women are more likely to experience a kind of hair loss called traction alopecia. That’s because they tend to tie their hair and wear tight hairstyles more.
Additionally, women are also likely to lose more hair due to hormonal changes. For instance, postpartum, women can lose as many as 400 strands of hair per day.
However, this isn’t always considered normal. If you’re experiencing unusual hair loss because of this or any other reason, you should always get in touch with a doctor.
What Causes Abnormal Hair Loss?
If you’re losing more than 100-150 strands of hair in a day, it may be because of:
- Nutritional deficiencies
- Genetics
- Underlying illness
- Stress
- Tight hairstyles
- Medical therapies and medications
- Hormonal changes
Hair loss can be permanent or temporary. So, before you try any treatment, it’s important to consult a medical professional.
Is There A Type Of Hair That Normally Sheds More Than Another?
It doesn’t matter what type of hair you have. The amount of normal hair loss is the same for everyone. Curly hair has been associated with more hair loss than normal, but that’s probably due to certain hair care practices.
For instance, those with curly hair are recommended to wash their hair less frequently because it can get dry more easily (and break).
However, in this case, since there’ll be a build-up of shed hair (50-100/day) when you do finally wash your hair, it may seem like you’ve lost a lot of strands.
Similarly, curly hair has a tendency to tangle more easily. As a result, when you’re brushing curly hair, aggressive brushing can cause more hair loss.
Summary of Average Normal Hair Loss
Here’s a summary of the average normal hair loss in different circumstances.
| Different Hair Losses | Number of Strands Per Day |
| Hair loss in women | 50-100 |
| Hair loss in men | 50-100 |
| Hair loss in children | 50-100 |
| Hair loss after shampooing | 150-200 |
| Hair loss after combing | 50-100 |
| Hair loss after pregnancy | 400 |
How To Find Out If Your Hair Loss Is Normal?
To find out if your hair loss is normal or not, you can consider doing a hair pull test at home. In order to do that, you need to do the following:
- Divide your hair into small sections of 40 strands.
- Hold it between your fingers and run through the entire length of the hair bundle.
- Count the number of hair that falls out.
If you lose 5-6 strands of hair/bundle, then your hair loss is normal. However, if it’s more than that, there may be a reason why you’re losing your hair.
Although you should keep in mind that the hair pull test is not definitive. It’s just one way to assess if you’re experiencing abnormal hair loss.
To get an accurate picture of a problem, doctors also ask about medical history, general health, and lifestyle. Additionally, they might also run some tests.
The bulbs of the broken hair are also checked. A white is considered okay. However, if it’s black, the hair was probably in the anagen phase, so it shouldn’t have normally come out.
Conclusion
How much hair loss is normal? Usually, hair fall of about 50 to 100 strands is nothing to worry about. However, keep in mind that your “normal” can vary from someone else’s.
In general, people have an idea of how much hair they lose on a daily basis. So, when they start to lose more hair than usual, they’re quick to notice it.
Since there are many different causes and types of hair loss, it’s extremely important that you consult a medical professional to start the right treatment. Looking for trusted hair transplant professionals in Turkey? Get in touch with us today.
