Normal Hair Shedding:
* Daily: We lose between 50-100 hairs a day. This is a natural part of the hair growth cycle.
* Hair Growth Cycle: Hair goes through phases: anagen (growth), catagen (transition), and telogen (resting). At the end of the telogen phase, the hair falls out and the cycle restarts.
* Factors Affecting Shedding: Stress, diet, hormonal changes, and medications can influence hair shedding.
Increased Shedding:
* Telogen Effluvium: This is a temporary condition where more hair enters the resting phase, leading to excessive shedding. It's often triggered by stress, illness, or surgery.
* Androgenetic Alopecia (Male Pattern Baldness): This genetic condition causes hair loss primarily on the scalp.
* Alopecia Areata: This autoimmune disorder causes patchy hair loss on the scalp or other parts of the body.
Signs of Excessive Shedding:
* Noticeably more hair falling out during brushing, showering, or styling
* Thinning patches of hair on the scalp
* Visible scalp through the hair
If you're concerned about excessive hair shedding, it's important to consult a dermatologist or trichologist (hair specialist) to determine the cause and discuss treatment options.