How much hair loss is normal?

How much hair loss is normal?

We all lose hair every single day – to a certain extent this is normal and natural process. Hair loss becomes a cause for concern when it goes beyond the normal level and leaves behind visible signs. What can those affected do to stop this hair loss?

It is not just the majority of men who are affected by hair loss – in fact we all lose a certain amount of hair. Loss of up to 100 hairs per head and day is totally normal. After all, this process forms part of a natural cycle.

Why does hair fall out?

Hair pass through a growth cycle. An average growth phase lasts six years. This is followed by a two-week transition phase and then a rest phase lasting 2 to 4 months. During this phase, the metabolic activity of the hair follicle slows down and the hair falls out at the end of the rest phase before the follicle regenerates and a new hair begins to grow.

This cycle secures the quality of the hair over a long period of time. Around 100 hairs reach the end of their life expectancy every day, this is known as natural hair loss and is experienced by everyone.

Each hair follicle can pass through this cycle between 10 and 30 times. The number of times each root passes through this cycle until no hair regrows is determined genetically for each person. This is also the reason why the number of hairs reduces naturally as we age.

When does hair loss become a problem?

If you lose more than 100 hairs a day or considerably more hair than usual, the cause of this hair loss should be determined. Significant hair loss is characterised by the following:

  • You find a lot more hair than normal on your pillow, in your hairbrush or in the shower plug hole
  • Your hair seems to have less volume and be thinner
  • The hairline recedes
  • You start going bald at the temples
  • The parting becomes bigger
  • A bald spot appears on the back of the head
  • The scalp becomes visible in areas

If one or more of these symptoms apply to you, you may be suffering from increased hair loss. You need to determine what kind of hair loss you suffer from. Hereditary hair loss accounts for 80% of all hair loss. Here, the growth cycles are shortened, the hair becomes thinner and the maximum number of cycles is reached more quickly and, as a result, the hair no longer grows back. This hereditary hair loss is primarily seen on the temples and the back of the head.

Use the Alpecin baldness calculator to arrive at a prognosis as to whether and when you will experience hereditary hair loss taking your family background into account.

How can I counter excessive hair loss?

If you tick all the boxes for hair loss, then you should take action early on. With hereditary and age-related hair loss, the prophylactic use of a caffeine shampoo or caffeine liquid can extend the growth phases of your hair, making it more resilient to the factors which trigger hereditary hair loss. Thus, the hair is preserved for longer.

It is important to use caffeine shampoos and liquids on a daily basis as this is the only way to ensure that the caffeine required to protect the hair penetrates the hair roots on a daily basis.

Our Alpecin recommendation

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