Hair loss normally occurs when we touch, brush, or run fingers through our hair. Hair follicles are quite delicate, and so they can become easily dislodged. It's unsurprising, then, that we seem to lose hair when we're showering.
Yes, it is normal for a few hairs to fall out every time you run your hand through your hair. Hair shedding is a natural part of the hair growth cycle. Each hair follicle goes through a cycle of growth, rest, and shedding (1).
It's perfectly normal to lose a few stray strands when running your fingers, or a comb, through your hair. But if you notice increased hair being pulled out when you are being gentle, this can be a cause of concern that you should get checked over.
Frictional alopecia is the loss of hair that is caused by rubbing of the hair, follicles, or skin around the follicle. The most typical example of this is the loss of ankle hair among people who wear socks constantly for years. The hair may not grow back even years after the source of friction has ended.
Telogen effluvium
Telogen effluvium is a condition in which the hair remains in the telogen phase of the cycle. This causes more hair than usual to fall out, sometimes in handfuls.
It may be a sign that you're losing too much hair if: Increased shedding. Thinning or bald spots. Changes in hairline.
The average person loses around 50-100 hair strands every day, but that amount can go up to 200 strands for those with very thick and long hair.
Using too much shampoo, brushing or combing your hair when it's wet, rubbing hair dry with a towel, or brushing too hard or too often can all strain your strands and make them break. Two big causes of breakage include braids that are too tight and weaves that weigh down the hair.
Excessive hair touching is a repetitive and addictive habit that can be extremely hard to stop and can lead to Trichotillomania - a hair pulling disorder. Many women who's hands are always buried in their hair, typically suffer from very dry ends, oily roots, hair loss and poor overall hair condition.
Every time you fiddle with your hair, your locks rub against one another and get twisted and tangled. This repetitive yet minor damage can have repercussions on the hair fibre. Its natural protection becomes fissured and thus less effective. As a result, your hair is more damage-prone.
Teenagers can experience hair loss from hormonal imbalance, immune system reaction, anxiety and stress, poor nutrition or scalp infection.
Excessive Heat Styling
Frequent use of heated styling tools such as blow dryers, flat irons, and curling irons can damage the hair and cause breakage. The high temperatures can weaken the hair strands and strip them of their natural oils, making them more prone to snapping and splitting.
An average person loses about 50 to 100 hairs every day and grows the same amount. Any physical or emotional stress or deficiency in iron, biotin, and vitamin D can negatively affect hair health (growth and density of the hair).
Constantly pulling out hair can cause scarring, infections and other damage to the skin on your scalp or the area where hair is pulled out. This can permanently affect hair growth. Hairballs. Eating your hair may lead to a large, matted hairball that stays in your digestive tract.
Fun fact: Humans usually shed as many as 50 to 100 hairs each day during the telogen phase. This is a normal occurrance, per the American Academy of Dermatology, and this loss is most often noticed when you're washing, brushing or running fingers through your hair.
So dead hair follicles can look like a smooth, bald patch of skin or like a scar. A trichologist may be able to get a better view of your follicles by using a microscope or other trichological tools.
No Visible Pattern. With stress-related shedding, hair falls out evenly all over your scalp instead of in a defined pattern. You'll likely notice more hairs than usual coming out while shampooing, combing, or on your pillow, clothing, and bathroom floor.
It's normal to shed between 50 and 100 hairs a day. When the body sheds significantly more hairs every day, a person has excessive hair shedding. The medical term for this condition is telogen effluvium.
This simple test measures the severity of hair loss. During a pull test, a dermatologist grasps small sections of hair, about 40 strands, from different parts of the scalp and gently tugs. If six or more strands fall out, you have what's known as active hair loss.
Quick Summary: Hair Loss In The Shower
Preventative measures: Avoid over-shampooing and try and wash hair twice a week to maintain scalp health and minimise hair loss in the shower. Losing 50 to 100 hairs after showering or throughout the day is normal1.
Sudden hair loss can be temporary due to stressors, hormonal changes, medications, and other environmental factors. However, hair loss can also be permanent depending on the cause and how it affects the hair growth cycle.
Cicatricial alopecia, also known as scarring alopecia, is a rare type of hair loss in which inflammation destroys hair follicles and causes scar tissue to form in their place. After scar tissue forms, hair doesn't regrow.