Hair shedding is part of your natural hair growth cycle, but excessive shedding may indicate an underlying issue. On average, people lose 50-100 hairs daily. Beyond that, it could signal conditions like telogen effluvium or alopecia.
Each hair follicle cycles through three phases: anagen (growth), catagen (transition), and telogen (resting). Shedding occurs during the telogen phase, when old hairs fall out to make room for new ones. This process is called exogenous.
Not all shedding is the same. The two primary types are:
Chronic shedding may lead to noticeable thinning or bald patches. Unlike shedding, hair loss involves permanent damage to follicles.
Key triggers include:
I noticed increased shedding after a major life change. A dermatologist confirmed stress-induced telogen effluvium, which resolved within six months.
Consult a healthcare provider if shedding lasts longer than three months, creates visible thinning, or includes scalp redness or pain. Conditions like alopecia areata require medical treatment.