How Much Hair Loss Is Normal in the Shower? Lordhair Answers
- Written by Victor Lordhair
- May 6, 2022
- |
- 901 min read
It's no fun to see your precious hair falling out in the shower and heading for the drain. A lot of people get stressed after seeing hair loss in the shower but this shouldn’t be the case. The truth is that hair loss while bathing is completely normal. There is a big chance that you are experiencing a common phenomenon and it actually means nothing at all.
Top dermatologists say that it is perfectly normal to lose some hair in the shower but if you’re losing too much, then, it's time to pay closer attention to your scalp and schedule a visit to your doctor. But how much hair loss in the shower is normal and how much requires medical attention?
In this blog, Lordhair will share what normal hair loss looks like, how much hair loss is normal in the shower, and what can be done to reduce hair loss in the shower and eliminate the chances of having to wear a hair system.
How Much Hair Loss Is Normal in the Shower?
Before we answer that we need to first think about what is normal when we speak about hair loss in general.
What is normal hair loss?
As we age, our hormone levels tend to shift and change. This can have a variety of effects on our bodies and as a result, hair loss is something many people experience as they age. Normal hair loss in both men and women occurs naturally as we age. It happens to everyone, regardless of gender, race, or ethnicity. The degree to which you experience it depends on your health and genetics.
We have hundreds of thousands of hair strands which are all at different stages of their 2 to 5-year lifespan. Nutrition, health, stress, genetics, and styling greatly influence the lifespan of our hair.
How much hair loss happens normally on a daily basis?
Normally, people lose about 50 to 100 strands of hair strands a day. The shedding greatly depends on the length, strength, and thickness of your hair. A lot of everyday hair loss can happen in the shower since weak hair comes under stress when we wash and condition it.
You can test how much hair you’re losing by simply combing your hair from the front to the back of your head while leaning over a light bedsheet or table. If you count more than 15 to 20 strands, then, more hair is falling out. Consult your doctor if you feel that your hair loss is abnormal and big patches of hair are coming out or hair is thinning at specific places.
While it’s normal to experience certain amounts of hair loss as you age, excessive hair loss is something that needs to be addressed.
What Causes Hair Loss in the Shower?
The follicles are stimulated and weak hair or hair in the telogen phase is dislodged during the washing and conditioning process. When we apply shampoo to the scalp and rub to get rid of the dirt, impurities, and dead skin, several hair strands may detach. As we said, it is normal to lose some hair during the whole process.
However, excessive hair loss in the shower can be the result of an existing medical condition. Research suggests that if patches of hair are coming out in the shower, it could be telogen effluvium. The only way to treat this kind of temporary loss is by addressing its underlying cause.
Here are the biggest reasons behind aggressive hair loss in showers:
Telogen effluvium (TLE): This medical condition appears when a certain portion of your hair follicles enter the resting phase. This can occur for a variety of reasons, including medications, stress, and pregnancy.
Medications: Certain medications can make the hair follicles more sensitive, causing excessive hair loss during the showers. Before starting any new medication, check with your doctor to make sure it won’t cause hair loss.
Stress: Be aware of your stress levels and try to avoid situations that trigger it. Stress can cause spikes in cortisol which can disturb hair growth at the follicle level.
Dietary habits: Low amounts of iron, zinc, protein, Vitamin D, and biotin cause more hair to fall in the shower. Since micronutrients are needed to maintain healthy hair growth, try to eat a healthy diet that consists of whole grains, fruits, and veggies.
Genetic hair loss: Hair loss can also be genetic in nature. Female and male pattern baldness show up early in families with a history of early hair loss. Most men going through pattern baldness have genetic hair loss to blame.
Wrong shampoo: Some shampoo ingredients can aggravate hair loss and breakage. If you notice that this is happening to you, speak to your doctor and switch to a shampoo that is gentler for your hair.