SHEDDING 101: What's normal and when it's time to see a doctor.
We’ve all been there, you see a clump of hair going down the shower drain. You wonder, holy smokes- is this normal?
Let’s start with a fact that might help you feel better.
It’s considered normal to lose between 80-125 hairs per day.
For some people, up to 150 strands come out every day, and this is STILL considered normal.
Us fine-haired girls are over here cringing, thinking, Oh shit- I don’t have that much to spare!
I know, I’m with you.
But, we can blame this one on nature.
If you have long hair, remember that a 100 hairs will look like a lot more when they’re wound up and all curled together than if they were straight.
And, If you’re only washing your hair every three or four days, you should expect to see 300-400 hairs coming out in the shower.
Doesn’t that make you feel better after seeing how much came out during your last hair wash?!
I know, because same!
Sometimes, I even forget… resulting in me freaking out when I dry off after a bath and there are two clumps of hair stuck to my back.
Gross, I know, but you can’t tell me you’ve never had that happen, ladies!
There are lots of things that can cause hair loss and MOST of them are fixable, so you shouldn’t be too worried.
But it’s important to know when to speak to a doctor instead of your stylist.
Between starting to grow and falling out years later, each hair passes through four stages: anagen, catagen, telogen and exogen.
Every hair can be at a different stage of the growth cycle at any given time.
Which is why we shed different amounts each day, and at different points in our lives. Makes sense, right?
If you’re noticing a SIGNIFICANT hair-loss difference, definitely go and see your doctor and ask for some blood tests to see if you can pinpoint the issue.
Of course, there are also conditions that can’t necessarily be treated or cured, like alopecia, which can cause of rapid or major hair loss.
Now, since I am obvi not a medical doctor and without getting into too much medical-type advice or info… I’ll just touch on the following culprits real quick.
One of the biggest triggers is stress, so worrying about it is really frustrating because it compounds the problem. (Easier said than done, right?)
Things to consider-
Low Iron can cause hair loss.
Significant weight gain or weight loss can affect your hair growth.
Thyroid issues are another. (Like, big time.) Some with thyroid conditions notice huge changes in hair loss, texture and density… anytime your thyroid is out of balance, most people can definitely tell straight away because they notice changes in their hair.
Hormonal hair loss is likely the most common, statistically and also from what I personally have seen in my chair.
Whether it’s during pregnancy, postpartum, menopause, or other health conditions, women’s bodies are going to withstand so many changes during our lives.
Although it’s disheartening, you aren’t alone.
Speaking of postpartum- Postpartum hair loss is another.
Your Estrogen levels may be off balanced - another hormonal culprit.
(A blood test can help determine your estrogen and progesterone levels and your doctor can prescribe medications to help regulate estrogen levels.)
So my friends, I have only named a few reasons, but there are more of course. I didn’t even touch on how many types of alopecia there are.
As you can see, a lot of the reasons I listed are hormonal. That’s because (like I said earlier) hormonal is the most common type of hair loss reason.
Therefore, you may be asking, "can hormonal hair loss be reversed?"
The answer is this:
While some hormonal hair loss that occurs during menopause or postpartum cannot always be reversed or prevented, there ARE always steps to take to help promote healthy hair and treat the hair you do have left like a super star.
A couple super basic rules of thumb for healthy hair is this:
Staying hydrated
Getting enough sleep (This is one of the most underrated tools for healthy hair, IMO.)
Regular physicals with your doctor
Eating a diet that is rich in vitamins and nutrients can help the body battle and recover from illness & other med conditions
Regular trims and scalp detoxes to promote healthy growth
- Eating enough protein (And, no, it doesn’t have to be from meat.)
If you’re noticing hair loss, the first thing to do is not panic and know that you’re not alone. Okay, first next to seeing a doctor. (Broken record, I know.)
It’s just because I care.
Remember this…
More than half of humans are affected by hair loss in some way, no matter what the cause or what your gender is.
Being open with your hairstylist about concerns is a great start, since we can most likely point you into the right direction of what to do next.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help or go see your doctor for more help and advice! Staying positive during something worrisome, can physiologically help our stress levels, which in this case- can help our hair! So look on the bright side, babes. We got this.
I’m wishing you the best hair day, today and always!
Let me know in the comments if you have any questions!
All photos & Outfits: Jayden P Boutique @jaydenpboutique
Photography: Lauren Turori Styling, Hair & Makeup: Anastasia Renee