How Many Hairs Does a Non-Balding Individual Lose Per Day?

This question comes from a member of our hair loss social community and discussion forums: 

Recently, I began worrying about losing my hair. Because of this, I’ve started checking my pillow, hair brush, and shower floor for any signs of increased hair loss. Since I don’t want to worry excessively, I’m curious: how many hairs does an individual not suffering from genetic hair loss lose per day?

Frequently checking pillows, combs, and the shower floor for signs of increased hair shedding is common in individuals worried about balding. While it’s important to catch and prevent hair loss in its early stages, obsessively searching for signs of increased hair shedding without knowing “what’s normal” only increases anxiety and stress.

While opinions differ slightly, most hair restoration experts believe losing anywhere from 50 to 150 hairs per day is normal and not indicative of hair loss. While a portion of these hairs are lost while grooming and showering, another significant portion of normal loss comes from hairs in the catagen (“regression”) phase of the natural hair follicle cycle.

However, if you are concerned about hair loss, I highly recommend seeking the opinion of a talented hair transplant physician early and considering intervention with preventive therapies like Rogaine (minoxidil) and Propecia (finasteride).

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Blake Bloxham – formerly “Future_HT_Doc”

Editorial Assistant and Forum Co-Moderator for the Hair Transplant Network, the Hair Loss Learning Center, the Hair Loss Q&A Blog, and the Hair Restoration Forum

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