Hair loss is completely normal. After all, it’s part of the life cycle of our hair! So you shouldn’t be alarmed when you notice a few stray hairs on your sweater or hairbrush. But if you’re beginning to notice more hair loss than before, it may be time to learn the signs of too much hair loss — and what you can do about it.
Signs That You’re Shedding Too Much Hair
Your hair part looks wider than it used to.
Look at your hair part. Does it seem that it’s widening? If so, chat with your dermatologist or hairdresser for professional opinions. It may be best to switch up your part.
You find a lot of hair on your bed and your pillow.
Chances are, you’re not paying close attention to your pillowcase every morning. But if you’re noticing more hair loss than usual, you may want to take a look. If there are strands on your pillowcase, it could be a sign that you’re losing more hair than you should be.
There’s a lot of hair in your shower.
It’s pretty normal to notice some hair caught in the shower drain. But if you’re cleaning it out every day and seeing quite a bit at the bottom of your drain, it may be time to chat with a doctor. Fortunately, it could be something as simple as increasing lean proteins in your diet or limiting heat tools when styling your hair.
You find a lot of hair in your hairbrush.
Keep your brush clean and check to see how it looks after a few days of brushing. If it’s full of hair, it may be a sign of excessive hair loss. However, it could also be a sign that you’re using the wrong hairbrush for your hair type. Check out our guide to hairbrushes to ensure you’re using the proper style for your hair’s unique needs.
Your hair doesn’t style the same as it used to.
No one knows your hair better than you do! And if you notice that your hair just doesn’t seem to look the way it usually does, something may be off. If your straightened hair looks extra thin, or your natural hair just lacks the bounce it used to, chat with your doctor about possible treatments.
What causes hair loss?
As we mentioned above, some daily hair loss is completely normal. However, when you begin to really notice loose strands here and there, it could be a sign of stress or a health condition, like:
- Alopecia
- Female pattern hair loss
- Lupus
- Nutritional deficiencies
- Thyroid conditions, and more.
It’s also important to note that excessive washing, harsh products, brushing, and heat styling can also impact the amount of hair you lose.
What is the life cycle of hair?
Once your hair follicle has been stretched or split, the structure of the hair follicle is compromised. But what does that mean, exactly? Well, it turns out that hair has a life cycle!
There are hundreds of thousands of hairs on the head, and each hair is at a different stage of its 2-5 year lifespan. Hair actually grows and dies in phases, with stress, hygiene, nutrition, and styling all playing a role in its lifespan.
The Anagen Phase
Growing hair strands are in their “anagen” phase — which is roughly about 90 percent of the hair on your head right now! It grows about one centimeter each month, and when something stops it from growing, it’s called anagen effluvium. This is what you would typically think of when you think of “hair loss.”
The Catagen Phase
This phase occurs after the Anagen phase, with only about 1-2 percent of your hair at any given time. The hair will stop growing, and the period lasts about two to three weeks.
The Telogen Phase
This is the last phase of hair growth. Also referred to as “club hairs,” the hair strand will be at rest as it prepares to detach from your scalp. This accounts for about 8-9 percent of your hair.
So, how much hair loss is normal?
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, losing them may be more noticeable. Since there are 100,000 hair follicles — or more — on each person’s scalp, losing 100 or so hair strands a day doesn’t make a big difference in appearance.
What can be done about excessive hair loss?
For starters, you may want to revisit your current shampoo, conditioner, and styling products and opt for something more gentle. You may also want to limit your heat tool usage. Ensuring you’re using the right hairbrush for your hair type will also help.
However, if the above does not seem to help, you will need to consult with your doctor to ensure there’s no underlying condition. As mentioned above, hair loss can be a sign of nutritional deficiencies or a health condition.
Related Article: It seems like every day, we’re all hearing about some new magical hair product or oil that promises strong, shiny hair. But there’s a strong chance that this pungent oil may have flown under your radar. Mustard oil, sometimes called Sarson ka tel, has a special place in every Indian kitchen, but it also brings some serious health benefits to the table. And yes, that also includes hair growth and conditioning. Read more about mustard oil for hair, along with other skin benefits.
This article is for informational purposes. Please consult with a doctor if you’re experiencing rapid hair loss.
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