Although hair loss is often associated with aging, it is important to realize that many hairs are lost from the body each day. From infancy to adulthood, hair is continually growing. There are three phases hair must go through: anagen (the growth phase), catagen (the shedding phase), and telogen (the resting phase). In most cases, this cycle takes about six years to complete.
There are 100,000 to 150,000 hair follicles on your scalp, but they are not all going through the same stage of hair growth at one particular time. This means that a certain amount of daily hair loss is completely normal and not a cause for concern. In most cases, hairs are lost regularly and will grow back as the cycle repeats itself.
Determining how many hairs are lost from the average human body in a typical day can be difficult, however. Some experts believe daily hair loss of between 50 and 100 hairs can be considered normal, while others say up to 200 hairs may be lost on average per day. Anything above the 200 hairs per day mark, however, should be considered excessive.
There are many myths surrounding what is normal in regards to hair loss. Within the standard measurement, the rate of hair loss can vary based on your age as well as genetic influences. If you’re over the age of 30 and you have parents who are struggling with hair loss, you may find yourself losing more hair than the average person. One factor that does not make a difference, however, is whether or not you cut your hair on a regular basis. Cutting your hair will not make it thicker or more resilient. On a similar note, remember that wearing a hat does not cause hair loss unless the hat is tight enough to block circulation. In fact, hats are often recommended when you are outdoors because of their ability to protect the skin from damage caused by too much sun exposure.
Even though there are a number of over-the-counter products available that claim to be able to prevent, stop, or slow hair loss, their effectiveness is questionable. If you are concerned about losing your hair, the best course of action is to discuss the issue with your healthcare professional before deciding on a treatment plan.