We’re sharing what you need to know about hair shedding.
No one likes the idea of hair falling out in the shower — or anywhere else. But before you panic, be aware that you may have nothing to worry about.
The truth is, a certain amount of hair loss in the shower is totally normal. However, if you’re concerned about the amount of hair you’re losing, it may be time to pay extra attention to your strands and consult with your doctor.
How Much Hair Loss Is Normal?
According to the Cleveland Clinic, the average person naturally loses between 50 to 100 hairs a day, depending on the length and thickness of your hair. It’s important to note that this type of hair loss really isn’t considered hair loss at all — it’s hair shedding. Hair shedding is the normal process of hairs falling out daily, while hair loss refers more specifically to the inability to grow hair back due to various factors or conditions — this is referred to as alopecia.
According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), the normal parts of the hair growth cycle include phases such as the anagen or growth phase, the catagen phase where the hair growth slows, and the telogen phase in which growth stops and the hair is dormant until it sheds.
With regards to normal hair shedding, those with long or thick hair can expect to shed between 150 to 200 strands. If you tend to wash your hair more than once a week, that amount can quickly increase. While most shedding typically happens in the shower, the Cleveland Clinic also reveals that it’s common to experience additional hair loss when you comb your hair post-shower.
Source: L'Oréal
