When To Worry About Hair Loss

Hair shedding is a natural process your body goes through. Even now, as you’re reading this, there are hairs on your head that are ending their growth journey and getting ready to shed.

But noticeable bald patches, increased thinning and losing more hair than usual can be signs of increased shedding. In some cases, it could even mean permanent hair loss.

Dermatologist Wilma Bergfeld, MD, explains the difference between hair shedding and hair loss, and how to know if the hair you’re losing is something you should be concerned about.

How much hair loss is expected in a day?

On average, you can expect to lose between 50 and 150 hairs daily. Yes, this may seem like a lot, but look at it this way: You have around 100,000 (or more) hair follicles on your head. So, routine hair shedding is just a drop in the bucket.

“Hair goes through cycles, where it grows and then falls out,” explains Dr. Bergfeld. “So, you should expect some shedding.”

Your hair goes through a natural cycle that includes three main phases:

• Anagen phase: This growth phase lasts two to eight years.
• Catagen phase: This transition phase, where follicles begin to shrink, lasts about two to six weeks.
• Telogen phase: This resting phase leads to shedding and lasts about two to four months.

Hair shedding is a normal part of the growth process. After a hair leaves your head, it allows new hair strands to grow.

Does it differ between men and women?

You may wonder if your sex affects how much you shed or if you’re more at risk for permanent hair loss.

Here’s what we know: Studies have shown that, in general, men are more likely to experience hair loss than women.

On the other hand, women are more likely to experience higher levels of shedding during pregnancy and menopause. And over half of all women will experience noticeable hair loss over time.

In addition, a study in 2017 showed that women tend to shed more hair due to styling practices. But this may have less to do with sex and more to do with how they treat their hair. In other words, anyone who uses heavy styling or tight hairstyles can experience increased shedding, which can lead to permanent hair loss if it becomes chronic.

What causes hair to shed?

Remember, hair loss isn’t the same as hair shedding. While hair shedding is a normal part of life where “dead hair” falls out to make room for new growth, hair loss is when you lose hair and it stops growing.

Still, excessive shedding can be a sign of other problems, too. Here are some of the most common reasons for that hair loss:

• Grooming practices: Frequent high-heat styling and tight hairstyles (like ponytails or braids) can increase shedding and damage hair follicles.
• Stress: When you’re under a lot of stress, your cortisol levels climb. That puts your body into overdrive. One side effect of stress is hair shedding.
• Medications: Some medications, like certain antidepressants or blood thinners, might disrupt the natural cycle of hair growth or affect hormone levels in your body.
• Nutritional deficiencies: Protein, iron and vitamin B12 are just some nutrients that help hair grow. Without them, your hair can get brittle and stop growing.

In most cases, treating these issues helps improve symptoms and restore hair growth.

How to know when you’re losing too much?

We all lose a certain amount of hair, so it can be tricky to figure out if you’re losing too much. “If you feel like you’re losing an excessive amount of hair or developing thin or bald areas, talk to your doctor, especially your dermatologist, for an evaluation,” Dr. Bergfeld advises.

It may be a sign that you’re losing too much hair if you have:

• Increased shedding
• Thinning or bald spots
• Changes in hairline
• Scalp sensitivity and irritation

You can also do a “pull test,” where you check how much hair you lose with a little bit of pressure. Simply run your fingers through your dry, clean hair while tugging on it gently. If a hair or two is left on your hands after doing this once, it’s probably nothing to worry about. But if you start to notice more hairs coming out in one or two tugs, that may be something to bring up to a healthcare provider.

When to see a doctor

Hair loss can be frustrating when it occurs more than usual. But the best thing to do is consult a healthcare provider (preferably a dermatologist) before you start to worry.

Thinning or excessive hair shedding can often be reversed or fixed. “Give your doctor a full hair history — when the thinning began, where and how extensive the thinning is, and any relevant symptoms,” Dr. Bergfeld advises. “It’s the best way to determine if hair loss is from shedding or breakage or has stopped growing, which helps determine treatment.”

The key is knowing what’s expected and what isn’t. So, if you’re not seeing any red flags, your hair may just be going through its natural process. But remember, there are ways to strengthen your hair, too. Eating healthy foods, managing stress and caring for your hair can all help keep it healthy.