It’s perfectly fine to see leftover hair in your brush or shower drain, despite complaints about the latter! However, it’s also natural to wonder how much hair loss is normal, and whether it could be a sign of something more permanent.
We’re here to put your hair loss concerns to rest. Keep reading to find out how much shedding is normal, what you can do about it, and when to seek support.
Three key takeaways
It’s normal to lose around 50-100 hairs every day. This is part of your hair’s natural growth cycle to make room for new, healthy growth.
Stress, genetics, vitamin deficiencies, certain health conditions, and harsh hair treatments or styling can all result in increased hair loss.
If you’re worried about your hair loss or you notice bald patches or extreme thinning, it’s important to book an appointment with your GP.
Average hair loss per day
Most people lose between 50-100 hairs each day as part of the normal hair growth cycle, with some even losing 150-200 if they have very thick or long hair.
Although this might sound like quite a lot, when you consider that the average person has around 100,000-150,000 hairs on their scalp, it’s actually a very small percentage!
Your hair naturally goes through different phases of growth, rest, and shedding, so losing some hair every day is completely normal and nothing to worry about.
Do women lose more hair than men?
Despite the shedding rate being about the same for both men and women (50-100 hairs every day), there are multiple reasons why women tend to lose more hair on a day-to-day basis.
Women are more likely to use heat styling tools, colouring and bleaching treatments, and wear tight hairstyles, all of which can cause additional fallout and breakage on top of natural shedding.
On the other hand, men are more susceptible to permanent hair loss, like male pattern baldness, which causes progressive thinning and a receding hairline.
There are a number of factors that can cause hair loss:
Brushing your hair too vigorously, especially when it’s wet, can cause breakage and excessive shedding as wet hair is fragile and more prone to damage than dry hair.
Washing your hair with very hot water, using harsh shampoos, or towel drying too roughly can all lead to increased hair loss.
Genetics are one of the most common causes of hair loss, known as male and female pattern baldness.
Medications that can cause hair loss include, but are not limited to, antidepressants, blood thinners, and chemotherapy drugs.
Health conditions like thyroid disorders, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), autoimmune diseases like alopecia areata, and skin conditions that affect the scalp, like psoriasis, can all cause hair loss.
Life events, like menopause and pregnancy, can cause hair shedding.
How to tell if you're losing too much hair
“If you’re finding excessive amounts of hair on your pillow when you wake up, clumps coming out in the shower rather than just a few strands, or your hairbrush is filling up faster than usual, you might be losing too much hair.
“Take a closer look: is your parting getting wider? Do you have visible thinning patches or a receding hairline that wasn’t there before? Can you see more scalp in the mirror, especially in bright light? Does your ponytail feel noticeably thinner?
“If you’re still unsure, try the ‘hair pull test’. Take a small section of hair (about 60 strands) and pull slowly but firmly. If more than six hairs come out, you may be experiencing excessive shedding.”
No matter how minor or major your hair loss is, if you’re worried about it, you should always book an appointment to see your GP, especially if:
your hair loss is sudden and significant
you notice bald patches
your hair is falling out in clumps
Treatments for hair loss
If you could benefit from a hair loss treatment, you have two main options to choose from.
Minoxidil
There’s topical minoxidil that comes as a spray, foam, or liquid, and minoxidil tablets (an off-label treatment for men only) that you take daily. It’s thought that, when treating hair loss, minoxidil works by stimulating your hair follicles and improving blood flow to your scalp.
Another option is finasteride, which is the generic version of the brand Propecia. Best used to treat hereditary hair loss, finasteride works to stop hair loss in men by blocking the hormone responsible for shrinking hair follicles.
Topical minoxidil and finasteride work great together to tackle men's hair loss from multiple angles. Our hair loss bundle combines both treatments in one convenient package to help you achieve maximum results.
What is a normal amount of hair loss in the shower?
The amount of hair you lose in the shower depends on how often you wash your hair and its length. If you only wash your hair a few times a week, you might notice more shedding during each shower simply because several days’ worth of loose hair is coming out at once.
Is it normal to lose hair when running your fingers through it?
Yes, it’s normal to lose hair when running your fingers through it as it dislodges strands that were already at the end of their growth cycle and ready to fall out. Losing a small amount of hair in this way is normal, but losing large amounts or clumps could indicate that something isn’t quite right.
Can omeprazole cause hair loss?
Hair loss is a very rare side effect of omeprazole, with long-term use interfering with how well your body absorbs vitamins and nutrients like B12, iron, and magnesium, which could contribute to hair thinning over time.
Is losing 200 hairs a day normal?
Losing 200 hairs a day is slightly above average; however, this may potentially be normal for those with very thick or long hair, simply because you have more hair to lose.
If you’re noticing visual hair loss on your head (such as a widening part or receding hairline) or you’re concerned about the amount of hair you’re losing, always book in to see your GP.
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