Telogen (shedding): This is the resting stage of your hair growth cycle. The hair follicle is inactive, and there's a white bulb of keratin at the root (club hair). The bulb of keratin keeps the hair in the follicle until it sheds, which then starts the hair growth cycle over again.
If you pull a hair out with the follicle (the bulb at the root of the hair), it can potentially grow back, but it depends on the health of the hair follicle. If the follicle remains healthy and undamaged, it can regenerate and produce a new hair.
Hair falling out with a white bulb attached at the end typically indicates it's in the telogen phase, the final stage of the hair growth cycle. This bulb is the hair follicle, which has completed its growth phase and is shedding to make way for new hair. Normal hair shedding ranges from 50 to 100 hairs per day.
When hair falls out with a white bulb at the end, it typically indicates that the hair has gone through its natural shedding process. The white bulb is the root sheath or hair follicle, which is normal when hair falls out.
Is hair loss with white roots a sign of a serious problem? Not necessarily. While it can be a symptom of certain medical conditions, hair loss with white roots is often a normal part of the hair growth cycle and not an indicator of a serious problem.
If you pull out a strand of hair, you might notice a bulb or round ball (root) attached to the end of the hair strand. The root is surrounded by nerve fibers that let you feel when your hair moves or you touch your hair. Removing this root doesn't mean your hair won't grow back, because in most cases, it will.
Brushing hair and hair loss are commonly associated with each other. The more you brush your hair and use artificial products, the more your hair will become open to damage and hair loss. It is important to let your hair breathe and relax instead of constantly brushing it throughout each day.
And remember, if you ever find yourself asking, “Can you squeeze an ingrown hair out?” the answer is a careful no—stick to safer, smarter solutions for your skin's sake.
In some individuals, the change in color of pubic hair may occur around the age of fifty, but it can happen earlier or later, depending on individual genetic predispositions and lifestyle factors.
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.
The white bulb indicates that the hair was in the resting (telogen) phase of the hair growth cycle. Normally, about 10-15% of your hair is in this phase, but with telogen effluvium, up to around 70% of your anagen hair (hair that is actively growing) may enter the resting phase and fall out prematurely.
At the base of the hair, the hair root widens to a round hair bulb. The hair papilla, which supplies the hair root with blood, is found inside the bottom of the hair bulb. New hair cells are constantly being made in the hair bulb, close to the papilla.
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.
Pull Test and Tug Test
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.
Stylists say the easiest way to do this is by examining the ends. “Breakage often appears frayed or split at the end, while new growth tends to have a smooth, tapered tip,” says Ona Diaz-Santin, the owner of 5 Salon & Spa in Fort Lee, New Jersey.
Myth: A hair falling out with a white bulb attached means it won't grow back. False! If you notice that some of your fallen hairs have a small white lump or bulb at the root, you shouldn't worry. This does not mean that the root of your hair has been removed, or that the follicle is dead.
Results: The mean length of a scalp hair follicle is 4.16 mm. The infundibulum measures 0.76 mm, the isthmus 0.89 mm, and the inferior portion 2.5 mm. The insertion of the arrector pili muscle is located 1.65 mm deep.
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.
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.
Those who don't wash their hair often may see more hair shedding than those who give their scalp a regular scrub. But it's unlikely that this is the only or even main cause of hair loss.