Hair Loss: What is It, Causes, Treatments, and When to Be Concerned
BY TRYBELLO
FEBRUARY 8, 2024
Let’s face it, we've all experienced the run-of-the-mill shedding, a couple hairs here and there that make us question whether or not our crown is secure. And let me tell you, there’s no worse feeling than finding a clump full of hair in your shower drain just when you thought you were safe.
Our hair holds so much of our identity that the second we see an extra few strands we begin to think of worse case scenarios. But did you know that it’s normal to shed at least 50-100 hairs daily? In fact, it is not considered hair loss until about 50% of your hair is lost.
Yikes.
But before you run to “doctor google” to investigate the cause of your hair’s demise, let’s chat about the signs you should look for so you know if you need to make an appointment with your dermatologist.
So, When Should I Be Concerned?
Unless you eat, sleep, and breathe all things hair health, it’s impossible for you to be able to differentiate normal shedding from catastrophic hair loss. So if you’re seeing hair on your pillow case, some strands on your living room floor, or some extra clumps on your hair brush it’s totally normal. For those with short to shoulder length hair, 50-100 strands is the norm. And for those with longer tresses you’ll notice a little bit more, but rest assured it’s all a part of your hair's natural growth and shedding cycle.
However, if you’re noticing that more strands fall out when you run your fingers through your hair, or if you’re starting to see more sparse areas when you wear your hair up, then it can be a cause for concern. If your hair has been shedding heavily for 4-6 consecutive months, it can be a sign of a bigger issue.
Probable Causes
Hair loss isn’t uniform, reasons can range from genetic to even mal-treated hair. The good thing is that there are questions you can ask yourself to troubleshoot before you go see a doctor.
Sit down and reflect, ask yourself these questions:
1. Have you been sick lately?
Illnesses like covid, the flu, and even some minor colds can definitely cause hair loss. The reason for this is the inflammatory processes that occur because of a stressful event our body and immune system faces.
2. Did you have a baby, or are going through menopause?
Crazy hormonal fluctuations can definitely wreak havoc on your hair. The added stress of a newborn is enough to send your hair into a frenzy and jump ship.
3. Stress
Stress is our body's natural enemy in every aspect. Not only does it weaken our immune system, but can totally ravage our hair.
If any of these questions lit up a bulb, then it’s time to see a provider. First they’ll ask about your family’s history and run some tests to dot their I’s and cross their T’s.
And if you’re not quite there yet, there's solutions out there for you to try and get your hair growing back strong and healthy.
What’s The Take Away
As frightening as it is to see some hair fall, you can rest knowing that it is completely normal, if not necessary for your hair to shed. But, if you notice your hair part widening, or some sparseness when you put your hair up, even loss of shine, then it’s time to do some digging. So, if your hair is within the normal shedding range, fear not as there is no need to consult doctor google and you can go on about happily combing your luscious locks!
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