Hair loss is a worrying symptom in and of itself. However, being unable to tell if it is just part of the natural process or if you are one step closer to baldness, is even more distressing. This blog includes a breakdown of all the facts and fiction about natural and abnormal hair loss and how to prevent it from happening.
What Is The Normal Hair Cycle?
The daily hair fall count is around 50 – 100 hairs per day. There are four stages of the typical hair growth cycle. It begins with the Anagen stage (active growth). During this phase, the hair grows half an inch/month or 6 inches in a year. This stage lasts between 3 years – 5 years.
The anagen phase is followed by the Catagen stage. This is a transitional stage that signals the end of the active growth phase. Approximately 10% of hair is in this stage most of the time. It lasts about 10 days.
The third phase in the hair growth cycle is the Telogen stage. This is a resting phase where no activity is happening in the hair. Around 10% to 15% of hair is in this phase at any given time. It lasts approximately between 90 – 100 days.
The last phase of the normal hair growth cycle is the Exogen phase. The hair follicles shed from the scalp naturally during this stage.
How Much Is The Average Normal Daily Hair Loss?
Not all hair is in the same stage of the hair growth cycle, otherwise, they will all fall out at the same time. On average, most people lose between 100 – 150 hair follicles per day. There is not a significant difference between men and women in terms of the average amount of daily hair loss.
Normal Daily Hair Loss Females
Women usually have a more patchy/diffuse pattern of hair loss. The causes include hormonal changes, cosmetic treatments, and pregnancy.
Normal Daily Hair Loss Males
Men suffer from male pattern baldness. They are more prone to suffering from baldness or hairline recession.
What Are The Causes of Abnormal Hair Loss?
Apart from the daily hair fall count, abnormal hair fall happens due to a disruption of the natural growth cycle of the hair. This disruption may be due to health issues like high fever, excessive dieting, etc. The poor health status of the body triggers a phenomenon called “Telogen Effluvium”. This interrupts the active growth stage (Anagen) and many hairs enter the Telogen stage at once, leading to extra hair loss by the early commencement of the Exogen phase. A higher-than-average daily amount of hair loss occurs due to the following:
Male and Female Pattern Baldness
Pattern baldness in both genders is linked to genetics. It occurs more commonly in men as compared to women. While female pattern baldness is more diffuse, male pattern baldness results in bald patches at the crown and recession of the hairline.
The Norwood Hamilton Scale
The Norwood scale is a measure of hair loss due to male pattern baldness. It has seven stages, ranging from patchy hair loss and hair thinning to complete baldness. This scale applies to all hair types and is an effective tool for physicians to decide on a treatment for androgenic hair loss. The seven stages include:
- Control
- Mild frontal baldness
- Excessive frontal baldness
- Recession at the crown
- Hairline recession
- Severe loss of hair
- Complete baldness
Alopecia
Alopecia areata is autoimmune. Meaning that it has no apparent cause other than the body’s immune response mistaking its cells as foreign and attacking them. The hair loss is sudden and excessive. It can be on any part of the body including the scalp, face, etc. There are three types of Alopecia areata, namely patchy alopecia, alopecia totalis, and alopecia universalis.
How to Avoid Abnormal Hair Loss?
Many steps can be taken pre-emptively to avoid abnormal hair loss. Such as:
- Eat a well-balanced diet (appropriate amounts of proteins, vitamins, minerals, etc.)
- Proper and effective hair care routine
- Avoiding stress and anxiety in daily life
- Scalp management and care
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is hair loss affected by age?
Aging significantly impacts hair. There is less growth and pigmentation. Hair thickness and density also decrease and the hair appears thinner and shorter.
When is the time to worry about hair loss?
A higher-than-normal hair loss (> 100 – 150 hairs/day) associated with an itchy, red, flaky, or bumpy scalp indicates a need for a dermatological consultation.
When does hair loss become irreversible?
Damage to the hair follicle (from where the hair grows) due to any reason (prolonged illness, local factors) is permanent and leads to irreversible hair loss.
