Finding hair in your brush, on your pillow, or circling your shower drain can trigger instant panic. But before you spiral into worry, here's something important to understand: losing hair is completely normal.
The question isn't whether you're losing hair—everyone does—but whether you're losing more than you should. Understanding your hair growth cycle is the first step to knowing the difference.
The Four Phases of Hair Growth
Every single hair on your head goes through a continuous cycle of growth, rest, and shedding. At any given moment, different hairs are at different stages of this cycle.
Phase 1: Anagen (Growth Phase)
Duration: 2-7 years What's happening: This is the active growth phase. Your hair follicle is producing new cells, and your hair is actively lengthening at a rate of about half an inch per month.
Key facts:
- Approximately 85-90% of your hair is in this phase at any time
- The length of your anagen phase determines your maximum hair length
- Genetics largely control how long this phase lasts
- Shorter anagen phases = shorter maximum hair length
This is why some people can grow hair down to their waist while others struggle to get past their shoulders—it's not about hair health, it's about genetics.
Phase 2: Catagen (Transition Phase)
Duration: 2-3 weeks What's happening: Growth stops. The hair follicle shrinks and detaches from the blood supply. The hair shaft becomes what's called a "club hair."
Key facts:
- Only about 1-2% of hair is in this phase at any time
- This is a transitional period—the follicle is preparing to rest
- The hair is no longer actively growing but hasn't shed yet
Phase 3: Telogen (Resting Phase)
Duration: 3-4 months What's happening: The hair follicle is dormant. The old hair rests in place while a new hair begins forming beneath it.
Key facts:
- About 10-15% of hair is in this phase at any time
- The hair isn't growing, but it's still attached
- At the end of this phase, the old hair will shed
Phase 4: Exogen (Shedding Phase)
Duration: Ongoing What's happening: The old hair finally releases from the follicle and falls out. A new anagen hair pushes up to take its place.
Key facts:
- This is when you see hair in your brush or shower
- Losing 50-100 hairs per day during this phase is normal
- If the follicle is healthy, a new hair immediately begins growing
How Much Hair Loss Is Normal?
Let's establish a baseline: losing 50-100 hairs per day is completely normal.
This might sound like a lot, but consider that the average head has about 100,000-150,000 hair follicles. Losing 100 hairs represents less than 0.1% of your total hair.
Factors That Affect Daily Shedding
Hair washing frequency: If you wash your hair every few days, you'll notice more hair coming out on wash days. This is normal—it's just accumulated shed hairs releasing at once.
Hair length: Longer hair appears more dramatic when it sheds, even if the actual number of hairs is normal.
Season: Many people shed more in fall and late summer. Research suggests this may be an evolutionary holdover.
Hormonal fluctuations: Menstrual cycles, pregnancy, postpartum, and menopause all affect shedding patterns.
When Hair Loss Becomes a Concern
Normal shedding becomes concerning when:
1. You're Losing More Than Usual
If you've established your baseline and suddenly notice significantly more hair coming out—clumps in the shower, visible thinning, or hair on your pillow—pay attention.
2. You See Visible Thinning
This includes:
- Widening part line
- More visible scalp
- Thinner ponytail diameter
- Receding hairline
- Bald patches
3. Shedding Persists Beyond 6 Months
Temporary shedding (telogen effluvium) typically resolves within 6 months once the trigger is addressed. Prolonged shedding may indicate a different issue.
4. You Notice Other Symptoms
Hair loss accompanied by fatigue, weight changes, skin changes, or other symptoms may indicate an underlying health condition.
Common Types of Hair Loss
Telogen Effluvium
What it is: A temporary increase in shedding triggered by a stressful event or change.
Common triggers:
- Major illness or surgery
- Significant weight loss
- Childbirth (postpartum shedding)
- Severe stress or emotional trauma
- Starting or stopping medications
- Nutritional deficiencies
Timeline: Shedding typically starts 2-3 months after the triggering event and resolves within 6 months.
Treatment: Address the underlying cause. Hair typically regrows on its own.
Androgenetic Alopecia (Pattern Hair Loss)
What it is: Genetic hair loss caused by sensitivity to DHT (dihydrotestosterone).
In women: Diffuse thinning across the top of the scalp, widening part.
In men: Receding hairline and thinning crown (classic "male pattern baldness").
Timeline: Gradual progression over years to decades.
Treatment: May include minoxidil, DHT blockers, natural alternatives like rosemary oil, or medical procedures.
Alopecia Areata
What it is: An autoimmune condition where the immune system attacks hair follicles.
Appearance: Smooth, round bald patches that appear suddenly.
Treatment: Requires medical evaluation. Options include corticosteroids and immunotherapy.
Traction Alopecia
What it is: Hair loss caused by repeated tension on hair follicles.
Causes: Tight ponytails, braids, extensions, or any style that pulls on the hair.
Prevention: Vary hairstyles and avoid chronic tension. Early-stage traction alopecia is reversible.
The Shedding-Growth Connection
Here's something that surprises many people: increased shedding can actually be a sign of new growth.
When you start using an effective hair growth treatment, you may experience what's called "dread shed" or initial shedding. This happens because:
- The treatment stimulates new hair growth
- New hairs push out old, resting hairs faster
- This causes a temporary increase in shedding
- Within a few weeks, the new hairs become visible
This is why dermatologists advise sticking with hair growth treatments for at least 3-6 months before judging effectiveness. The initial shedding can be discouraging, but it often precedes visible improvement.
Supporting Healthy Hair Growth
While you can't change your genetics or the fundamental length of your growth cycle, you can optimize conditions for healthy hair:
Nutrition
Your hair needs specific nutrients to grow:
- Protein: Hair is 95% keratin (a protein). Inadequate protein = compromised hair.
- Iron: Ferritin (stored iron) below 70 ng/mL is associated with hair loss.
- Vitamin D: Deficiency is linked to telogen effluvium and alopecia areata.
- B-Vitamins: Especially B7 (biotin) and B12.
- Zinc: Essential for hair tissue growth and repair.
Scalp Health
A healthy scalp = healthy hair growth:
- Keep your scalp clean to prevent follicle-clogging buildup
- Treat dandruff or seborrheic dermatitis if present
- Maintain scalp moisture balance
- Consider occasional scalp massage to boost circulation
Stress Management
Chronic stress directly impacts your hair cycle by:
- Pushing more hairs into the telogen (resting) phase
- Triggering telogen effluvium
- Potentially accelerating pattern hair loss
Stress management isn't just good for your mental health—it's good for your hair.
Gentle Hair Practices
- Avoid tight hairstyles that create tension
- Minimize heat styling
- Use a wide-tooth comb on wet hair
- Don't brush aggressively
- Protect hair from sun damage
When to See a Doctor
Consider consulting a dermatologist if you experience:
- Sudden, dramatic hair loss
- Bald patches
- Hair loss accompanied by scalp pain, itching, or redness
- Hair loss with other unexplained symptoms
- No improvement after 6+ months of addressing potential causes
A dermatologist can:
- Perform a scalp examination
- Order blood tests to check for deficiencies or hormonal imbalances
- Diagnose the specific type of hair loss
- Recommend appropriate treatments
The Emotional Side of Hair Loss
Let's acknowledge something important: hair loss can be emotionally devastating, even when it's "just cosmetic."
Your feelings are valid. Hair is tied to identity, self-expression, and confidence. Watching it fall out can trigger anxiety, depression, and social withdrawal.
If you're struggling emotionally with hair loss:
- Know that you're not alone—hair loss affects millions
- Consider joining support communities
- Don't hesitate to seek professional mental health support
- Focus on what you can control (scalp care, nutrition, treatments)
Key Takeaways
- Shedding is normal: 50-100 hairs per day is typical.
- Your hair is always cycling: Different hairs are in different phases at all times.
- Temporary shedding happens: Stress, illness, and life changes can trigger temporary increases in shedding that resolve on their own.
- Pattern hair loss is different: Genetic hair loss is progressive and benefits from early intervention.
- Many factors affect hair health: Nutrition, stress, scalp health, and hair practices all play a role.
- Patience is essential: Hair grows slowly (~6 inches per year), so any treatment or lifestyle change needs time to show results.
Understanding your hair growth cycle empowers you to distinguish between normal shedding and genuine concerns—and to take appropriate action when needed.
Experiencing more shedding than usual? Our Botanical Hair Growth Serum is formulated to support a healthy scalp environment and nourish hair follicles during all phases of the growth cycle. Learn More
References:
- Grover C, Khurana A. (2013). Telogen effluvium. Indian Journal of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprology, 79(5), 591-603.
- Messenger AG, Rundegren J. (2004). Minoxidil: mechanisms of action on hair growth. British Journal of Dermatology, 150(2), 186-194.
- Trüeb RM. (2009). Oxidative stress in ageing of hair. International Journal of Trichology, 1(1), 6-14.
