{"id":27926,"date":"2021-11-29T16:43:37","date_gmt":"2021-11-29T16:43:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/?p=27926"},"modified":"2021-11-29T16:43:38","modified_gmt":"2021-11-29T16:43:38","slug":"how-much-hair-loss-is-normal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/how-much-hair-loss-is-normal\/","title":{"rendered":"8 Causes that May Be At the Root of Your Hair Loss"},"content":{"rendered":"

Wondering <\/em>how much hair loss is normal<\/em>? Find out what\u2019s causing this distressing hair issue\u2014and what you can do about it.<\/em>\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n

Whether you\u2019ve spent your life trying to style thick, unruly strands into submission or add volume to limp locks, you\u2019ve probably thought of your hair as \u201cproblem hair\u201d at some point. But if you\u2019ve been noticing more hair in your shower drain lately or your hair is starting to thin, that term has taken on new meaning\u2014and new concern. What\u2019s causing this sudden bout of hair loss? And, more importantly, can you stop it?<\/p>\n\n\n

The first thing you should know is that you\u2019re not alone. Experts<\/a> estimate that more than 50 percent of women will experience hair loss at some point in their lives, with around 30 million women (or about a third of that number) suffering from female pattern hair loss. But that\u2019s just one potential cause of your hair woes\u2014and you need to figure out what\u2019s actually going on to effectively treat and ideally reverse this problem.<\/p>\n\n\n

So, how much hair loss is normal?<\/h2>\n\n\n

Let\u2019s get right to it: According to the American Academy of Dermatology<\/a> (AAD), it is normal to shed anywhere from 50 to 100 strands of hair per day. The Cleveland Clinic<\/a> adds that this number may go up slightly if you wash your hair only once or twice a week, especially if you have long hair, due to a buildup of hair that\u2019s on its way out. This is all part of your hair\u2019s normal life cycle<\/a>: anagen (active growth), catagen (transition), and telogen (resting and shedding). This cycle takes anywhere from two to six years, and you usually don\u2019t notice it since your follicles are all at various stages of growing and shedding.<\/p>\n\n\n

Things are decidedly not normal, however, \u201cif you are experiencing hair shedding of greater than 125 strands a day or if you have observed bald spots on your scalp or a widening of your hairline,\u201d says Michele Green<\/a>, MD, a dermatologist at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City. That\u2019s when it\u2019s time to take a closer look at your hair health.<\/p>\n\n\n

Hair loss vs. hair shedding: What\u2019s the difference?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Hair<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

The AAD states that hair loss occurs when something stops the hair from growing. True hair loss (aka anagen effluvium), when not resulting from an outside factor like chemotherapy or harsh hairstyling chemicals, is often the result of genetics, says trichologist Penny James, owner of the Penny James Salon<\/a> in New York City. James notes that with female pattern baldness, or androgenic alopecia, women will notice thinning near the temples and the crown area\u2014something you may have noticed in your female relatives. If, however, you\u2019re noticing small round patches without hair on your scalp, that\u2019s likely the result of an autoimmune disorder (alopecia areata) that attacks hair follicles. While subsequent hair loss can be halted and there are treatments that can help, whether or not the condition is reversible depends on its cause.<\/p>\n\n\n

On the other hand, excessive hair shedding (telogen effluvium) occurs \u201cwhen the hair growth<\/a> cycle has been interrupted and the hair has been pushed prematurely into the telogen stage\u2014the falling-out stage,\u201d James explains. This can be caused by a variety of factors including diet, stress, hormonal changes, and styling. James notes that the shedding will usually be all over the head, as opposed to localized patches, but it may be more noticeable in already-thinner areas. The good news is that in most cases, once you address the underlying issues, you won\u2019t necessarily have lasting problems.<\/p>\n\n\n

The causes of hair loss<\/h2>\n\n\n

So, what\u2019s at the root of your problems? It\u2019s essential to figure that out so you can proceed with the correct course of treatment, whether it\u2019s a relatively simple fix you can handle yourself or something that will require more aggressive intervention. Of course, it\u2019s always a good idea to consult a professional, who can make sure you\u2019re on the right track and evaluate your overall health, but the following common causes can help you narrow things down.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n

Menopause<\/h3>\n\n\n

Yep, the same hormonal changes that can cause hot flashes<\/a>, night sweats<\/a>, weight gain, and other delightful issues can also lead to hair loss. \u201cDuring menopause<\/a>, levels of estrogen are decreased,\u201d explains Dr. Green. \u201cThe decrease in estrogen can lead to heightened androgen sensitivity and, in turn, cause weakening and shrinkage of the hair follicles.\u201d Treatments for menopause-related hair loss can range from oral medication and hormone replacement therapy to topical Minoxidil treatments and platelet-rich plasma (PRP). (More on PRP therapy below.)<\/p>\n\n\n

Stress<\/h3>\n\n\n

Not to stress you out further, but stress itself may actually be causing your hair to fall out. \u201cStress is a huge problem with hair loss,\u201d says James. \u201cI would say 90 percent of my clients are suffering from acute stress these days.\u201d She explains that when you are stressed, the hormone cortisol<\/a> wreaks havoc on your body, potentially affecting your thyroid<\/a> and adrenal glands, aggravating your scalp, and even causing eczema, psoriasis, seborrheic dermatitis.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n

At the most basic level, that hormone surge, says Dr. Green, can disrupt the hair growth cycle, causing hair to go into a longer period<\/a> of rest<\/a> and stop growing. It can take six weeks to six months after a stressful event for hair loss to occur. While most people\u2019s hair will rebound on its own once this cycle of stress and loss has passed, Dr. Green notes that certain types of stress-related hair loss can be permanent if not treated early.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n

Sickness<\/h3>\n\n\n

Your fever may have broken long ago and that illness may now be a distant memory for you\u2026but your body still remembers. Any major health event, especially one that comes with a high fever, can push more hair than usual into the shedding phase, but you won\u2019t experience this shedding until a few months later. While this side effect may last for six to nine months, the good news is that it should eventually stop on its own.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n

In case you were wondering, yes, this has been yet another unexpected side effect of COVID-19. Aside from the plethora of anecdotal evidence, one study from China published in The Lancet<\/em><\/a> found that 22 percent of those hospitalized with COVID were still reporting hair loss six months after they were discharged. While this can happen with any major illness, COVID can hit you with a double dose of physical and emotional stress.<\/p>\n\n\n

Nutrient deficiencies<\/h3>\n\n\n

As they say, you are what you eat\u2014and if you\u2019re not getting the proper nutrients, your hair will reflect those deficiencies. \u201cPoor nutrition can cause malabsorption and inflammation<\/a> in the body, which can disrupt the growth cycle of the hair,\u201d says Dr. Green. \u201cInflammation does not allow the cells to repair completely, and that cell damage results in hair loss.\u201d A nutrient-dense diet<\/a>, on the other hand, can aid in proper absorption, cellular turnover, and hormonal balance and lead to longer, stronger, healthier hair.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n

First, make sure you\u2019re getting a proper amount of amino acids and proteins. If you\u2019re low on protein<\/a>, James says, you might be anemic, which can drive down your iron<\/a> and cause hair shedding. Beyond that, she says to look into vitamins A, C, D, and E, as well as B complex and zinc<\/a>, which are important for healthy follicles and hair growth. If your diet has certain restrictions or you\u2019re trying to lose weight, you should pay special attention to this. (Side note: Significant weight loss\u2014think 20-plus pounds\u2014can also be a shock to your system and cause hair loss.)<\/p>\n\n\n

Hormonal issues<\/h3>\n\n\n

A decrease in estrogen during menopause<\/a> isn\u2019t the only hormonal issue<\/a> that can affect your hair. Both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism can result in hair loss, and if either is autoimmune-related, it can result in the previously discussed alopecia areata. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)<\/a> can also be the culprit. Higher-than-normal levels of male hormones, or androgens, in women with PCOS<\/a> can \u201ccause the hair follicles to thin out and shrink over time, leading to female pattern baldness,\u201d says Dr. Green. In both cases, getting your hormones on track (albeit in different ways) can help with all of your symptoms, including hair loss.<\/p>\n\n\n

Pregnancy<\/h3>\n\n\n

Your hair will never look as luxurious as when you\u2019re pregnant\u2026or as lackluster as in the weeks after giving birth. This excessive shedding results from falling estrogen levels, according to the AAD<\/a>, and generally peaks about four months after giving birth. While it can be disconcerting to see more hair in your brush or thin patches on your scalp, your hair should return to normal within 12 months. Still, make sure you\u2019re getting proper nutrients<\/a> and keep an eye on your stress levels so that this pregnancy-specific issue doesn\u2019t spiral into another one.<\/p>\n\n\n

\u201cPulling\u201d hairstyles\u00a0<\/h3>\n\n\n

Sometimes, the things we do to make our hair look amazing can completely backfire. That\u2019s the case with certain hairstyles, including tight buns and ponytails, as well as tight braids, hair extensions<\/a>, and weaves. The pulling inherent in these styles can cause a type of hair loss known as traction alopecia\u2014which, if not dealt with, can result in permanent hair loss. If you notice broken hairs around your hairline, a receding hairline, or patchy loss, it might be time to loosen up your hairstyle for a while and allow hair to heal and recover.<\/p>\n\n\n

Overstyling<\/h3>\n\n\n

Similarly, repeated harsh chemical treatments\u2014from relaxers to perms\u2014can be problematic and, in extreme cases, cause scarring of the scalp, which would impede hair growth. On the other hand, over-styling with hot tools (especially if they\u2019re not used correctly), dyeing hair too frequently, and aggressive brushing can make strands brittle and cause them to break more easily. While these latter issues do not result in true hair loss, your broken strands can exacerbate thinning and cause hair to look less than fabulous.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n

What can you do to prevent hair loss and improve hair growth?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Hair<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

As mentioned earlier, your path forward really depends on what\u2019s causing your hair loss or shedding. Hormonal issues, for example, may require medication to treat the larger issue; hair loss is simply a side effect. The same goes for hereditary hair loss that may be halted and helped with oral or topical medication or something like PRP (platelet-rich plasma). With this treatment, explains Dr. Green, a doctor injects concentrated blood plasma (created with your own blood but containing up to five times more platelets than it normally does) into your scalp. This can improve cell reproduction and blood vessel formation while also healing and stimulating hair follicles.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n

While a professional can help you determine the best course of action, you can also do your part at home to stem the tide of shedding hair. Here are a few things everyone can try:<\/p>\n\n\n\n