Hair shedding vs. hair Loss: how much is normal — and when to worry

A quick mirror (and brush) check can help you spot — and treat — hair thinning early. (Getty Images)

Most of us know that losing some hair every day is normal. Still, my stomach drops every time I fish a wet, tangled mess from the shower drain — it’s like my own private “breakup haircut” scene, only instead of catharsis, there’s panic. Because when it’s your hair, even “normal” shedding can feel anything but. And that anxiety? Completely understandable.

“It’s not vanity,” says Dr. Hope Mitchell, a spokesperson for the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) and medical director of Mitchell Dermatology in Perrysburg, Ohio. “Losing hair deeply affects self-esteem and mental well-being.” And for those of us already coping with midlife transitions (hello, menopause) or emotional stressors, age-related hair loss can compound anxiety and depression, according to a review in the journal Cureus.

The antidote to hair loss worry? Facts. For starters, it’s totally normal to shed 50 to 100 hairs every day, and women may lose even more due to styling habits and hormonal imbalances. The tricky part is knowing when normal shedding crosses the line into real hair loss — and figuring out how much hair loss is normal. That’s why we talked to experts who can help you get to the root of the issue.

How much hair loss is normal?

Shedding 50 to 100 hairs a day is pretty standard, but research suggests that losing up to 200 out of the 100,000 or so on your head daily is no biggie either. Still, most of us aren’t counting (I hope), which makes it hard to know what’s truly normal.

The good news? Researchers actually took on the tedious task — and took photos for comparison. But before you click through to compare each tumbleweed of lost hair, consider this: “A ball of 100 strands looks bigger for someone with long, thick, curly hair vs those with short, fine hair,” says Dr. Paradi Mirmirani, a board-certified dermatologist with Kaiser Permanente in Vallejo, Calif..

So rather than obsessing over numbers, focus on changes. Is the ball in the drain bigger than in the past? Is hair coming out in clumps when it didn’t before? “You’re likely in a normal range if your hair looks and feels consistent from week to week — but if you’re noticing thinner areas, a wider part or a smaller ponytail, it’s time to investigate,” Mitchell says.

The 4 stages of hair growth (and how shedding fits in)

Hair is not meant to linger on your head forever. Instead, each strand grows from a follicle, a tiny pocket-like structure in your scalp, and goes through four phases:

Growth (anagen phase): Lasting several years, this is when new hairs develop and push through your scalp — and keep growing. The majority of your hair is in this phase.
Transition (catagen): A strand’s growth eventually slows, and changes happen within the follicle.
Resting (telogen): The follicle is dormant, and hair essentially hangs out for a few months before shedding. Up to 15% of your hair is in this phase.
Shedding: While not a formal phase, this is when existing hairs fall out as the follicle re-enters the growth phase. The new strand pushes out he old hair, making it easy to shed.

Why your hair sheds more in the shower or when brushing

Your ready-to-shed hairs are hanging on by a cellular thread, which is why they often don’t fully loosen until you wash and style, Mitchell says. Similarly, if you have thick or coiled hair, the strand may have already detached, but it takes a shampoo or a brushing to disentangle it. (Find out how often you should wash your hair.)

What is excessive hair shedding — and is it normal?

Excessive shedding can occur after a temporary shock to your system (like childbirth or a severe infection) or from a nutritional deficiency (due to an extreme or restrictive diet) that causes a surge of follicles to simultaneously enter the resting phase. Then, 3 to 6 months later, those follicles wake up and push out all those old strands simultaneously — a condition called telogen effluvium. It may seem like all your hair is falling out, but in reality, it’s just that 25 to 50% of your scalp’s follicles (versus the usual 10 to 15%) are shedding at the same time. Luckily, once your body recovers, your hair typically grows back fully.

Common causes of excessive hair shedding

“Like menstrual and sleep cycles, the hair growth cycle is a complex and tightly regulated biologic rhythm, and a whole host of things can temporarily throw things off,” says Mirmirani. “When people say, ‘I’m losing a ton of hair,’ my first question is, What’s been going on and has anything changed with your health?” Common triggers include:

Childbirth
Surgery
Illness or severe infection
Psychological stress or trauma
Stopping estrogen therapy
Certain medications
Crash diet or low protein intake
Iron deficiency
Hypothyroidism

What is hair loss vs. hair shedding?

With true hair lose (alopecia), you’re more likely to notice gradual thinning in specific areas rather than an uptick in shedding. “Hair loss usually follows a pattern: You see a wider part, receding hairline or smooth, shiny patches on your scalp,” Mitchell says. While there are different types of alopecia, the most common — female- and male-pattern hair loss —involves a shorter growth phase and shrinking follicles. This causes thinner-looking hair before follicles stop producing hair entirely. And unlike telogen effluvium, alopecia doesn’t usually improve without treatment.

What causes hair loss? Common reasons your hair is thinning

Hormones, genetics, stress and even the way you style your hair can all play a part in hair loss. Here are the most common culprits behind hair loss.

Genetics: Androgenic alopecia (aka female and male pattern hair loss) is the most common type of genetic hair loss, occurring in up to two-thirds of postmenopausal women and half of men by age 50, rising to 80% by age 80. Here, certain genes make follicles more sensitive to androgen hormones, which shrink follicles until they stop growing hair. “The genetic trait can come from either side of your family, so the more relatives you have with thinning hair, the higher your chances,” Mirmirani says.
Hormonal changes: During menopause, estrogen levels drop and shift the balance between estrogen and androgens. This gives androgens more influence on genetically sensitive follicles, spurring pattern hair loss. The same goes for conditions like PCOS, which is marked by higher androgen levels. Unfortunately, while estrogen therapy is effective for menopause symptoms like hot flashes, the benefits don’t seem to extend to your scalp, Mirmirani says. (Learn more about menopause and hair loss.)
Autoimmune disorders: Alopecia areata occurs when the body’s immune cells attack hair follicles. It can cause anything from small bald patches to complete loss of hair, eyelashes included. With lupus, for example, immune cells may attack healthy skin tissue, leading to hair loss.
Aging: “Your hair follicles can just peter out with age,” says Mirmirani. Called senescent alopecia, this hair loss may start as early as your 50s, but progresses slowly, like aging itself. Unlike other forms of hair loss, gradual thinning tends to be all over the scalp, according to the International Journal of Trichology.
Hair follicle damage: Wearing extensions or tight hairstyles “that put prolonged strain on your hair follicle can diminish blood supply and cause permanent damage,” Mirmirani says. (This is called traction alopecia.) Similarly, a skin injury, scar or burn can damage follicles, making it hard for hair to grow.

Hair shedding vs. hair loss: how to know when to see a doctor

If you’re seeing more strands in your brush lately, but you can trace it back to something specific, chances are it’s temporary. “A large percentage of hair loss is temporary and reversible once the underlying cause — stress, illness, nutritional deficiency — is identified and treated,” Mitchell says.

But don’t wait too long to seek help. If the shedding lasts longer than a few months or you can’t identify a reason, check with a dermatologist. And if you notice signs of hair thinning — like a wider part or thinner ponytail — make that appointment ASAP. “Some women believe hair loss is irreversible or wait to seek help,” Mitchell says. That’s a mistake: Early diagnosis and treatment often mean better results. “There are over 15 types of hair loss, and you may have more than one diagnosis. It’s always a win to find the cause and, at the very least, be able to halt the progression.”

Best treatments for hair loss and hair shedding

There’s not one magic bullet that can reverse hair loss and turn your Rapunzel dreams into reality. But you do have options — and yet another incentive to take care of yourself: “Hair thrives when the body is healthy,” Mitchell says.

How to treat hair shedding:

Have patience. “Often just validating that, yes, something’s going on, naming it telogen effluvium, and explaining that it will resolve is helpful,” Mirmirani says. Otherwise, it simply takes time for hair to regrow.
Focus on your health. Don’t underestimate the role of nutrition, rest and stress management. “Chronic stress, lack of sleep and restrictive dieting can all contribute to shedding,” Mitchell says. “I encourage a diet rich in protein, iron, zinc and vitamins.”
Consider a multivitamin. “If you aren’t getting all your nutrients from your diet, taking a multi is a good idea,” Mirmirani says. “Do you need to pay $80 for a hair-specific vitamin every month? In my opinion, there’s no data that they’re better than a generic.” (Find the best multivitamin of 2025, according to a registered dietitian.)
Pamper your scalp. “Since an itchy scalp, redness, flaking and other inflammation can worsen shedding, treat these issues early,” Mitchell says. Gentle, hydrating, non-drying products, plus anti-dandruff shampoos can help.

How to treat hair loss:

Minoxidil. Mirmirani calls this FDA-approved treatment her “workhorse for growing hair.” Minoxidil (Rogaine) increases follicle size, improves blood flow, and research suggests it may work in other ways too. You can take it in a prescription pill or an OTC topical — or both, which some doctors suggest.
Finasteride. Finasteride blocks testosterone from turning into the androgen that disrupts the hair follicle, according to StatPearls. Although FDA-approved only for men, it may be prescribed off-label for women, and often in conjunction with minoxidil, Mirmirani says. In a Cureous study, 97% of men taking the combo maintained or improved hair density, and 57% saw positive growth.
Spironolactone. Mirmirani sometimes also prescribes this diuretic drug to women in conjunction with other treatments. “It’s another anti-androgen that blocks hormonal changes that lead to thinning,” she explains.
Red light therapy. At-home LED devices can be effective at increasing hair density, reports the Journal of Aesthetic Dermatology. But both Mitchell and Mirmirani say the best results come when used with gold-standard medicines minoxidil and finasteride. (Learn more about red light therapy.)
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections. “PRP uses growth factors from your own blood to stimulate follicles, and many patients see improvement after a few sessions,” Mitchell says, who notes that neither PRP nor red light therapy are miracles, but they “can be powerful tools in a comprehensive plan.”
Hair transplants. Here, a surgeon takes tiny pieces of scalp from thicker areas and implant them where hair is thinning. The procedure is generally safe and effective, though some grafts won’t “take,” according to the Society of Plastic Surgeons.

Expert-approved products that can help with hair shedding and regrowth

Dermatologist-recommended serums, volumizing shampoos, supplements and more, these expert-approved picks can help keep your strands stronger and healthier:

Bottom line

We all shed — but ongoing, noticeable hair loss is definitely worthy of your attention. Knowing what’s typical and what’s not can help you catch changes early and get the right care. As our experts noted: Hair loss isn’t just cosmetic — it’s emotional. But with today’s treatments, there’s almost always something we can do.

FAQs

Is it normal to shed more in the shower?

Yes. “When you wash your hair, you may loosen strands that were ready to shed,” Mitchell says. “You might also not realize hairs have shed until they detangle during brushing or washing, so it can seem like more is coming out.”

What vitamin is lacking if my hair is falling out?

Two of the most common nutrient shortfalls linked to hair thinning are low levels of vitamin D and iron. Vitamin D helps create the cells that form new hair follicles, while iron delivers oxygen to those follicles so your hair can grow. Deficiencies in zinc, selenium or B vitamins (like biotin or B12) can also play a role. That said, hair loss supplements aren’t a cure-all —and taking too much of certain nutrients can actually make hair loss worse. If you suspect a vitamin deficiency, talk to your care team about getting a simple blood test before starting any supplement.

Can stress really make your hair fall out?

Yes, and maybe this is where the phrase “pulling your hair out” comes from? Any serious psychological or physical stress can shock hair follicles into the resting phase, which later causes shedding. Stress also doesn’t help sleep and nutrition habits, so it could indirectly contribute to shedding.

Do women get receding hairlines, too?

It’s possible since female pattern hair loss can cause thinning at the temples, but it tends to occur more often on the crown of the head — usually, you see a wider part. One thing to watch for, however, is traction alopecia. If you wear your hair pulled back tightly, over time, it can damage hairline follicles. (Learn about how to fix a receding hairline.)

Will hair grow back after shedding?

In most cases, yes — it just takes time. A major stressor, such as illness, childbirth or even significant weight loss, can push many hair follicles into a resting phase all at once. About three to six months later, those hairs start to shed — a condition called telogen effluvium. Once recovery begins, the follicles typically re-enter their normal growth cycle, and hair regrowth follows over the next several months.

Meet our experts

Hope Mitchell, MD, board-certified medical and cosmetic dermatologist and medical director of Mitchell Dermatology in Perrysburg, Ohio

Paradi Mirmirani, MD, board-certified dermatologist with Kaiser Permanente in Vallejo, Calif.

Our health content is for informational purposes only and is not intended as professional medical advice. Consult a medical professional on questions about your health.