Seeing a lot of hair in the shower drain or on your shoulder can make people wonder if they are losing their hair, but some shedding of our hair is typical. So how do you determine when hair loss is expected and when it is a problem?
The answer, of course, is complicated.
How Do I Know If My Hair Loss Is Normal?
Hair loss is most concerning when it happens in patches and when it begins to be noticeable to other people. Healthline suggests that one way to determine if you are shedding more hair than is healthy is to do a simple pull test.
When your hair is dry and clean, run your fingers through a small section, gently tugging. If you have a few strands, it is likely just normal shedding. If you have a bunch? It might be time to talk to a doctor.
It’s also important to consider whether your hair comes out at the root or breaks. Overly processed hair and some hair types are prone to be brittle, leading to breakage. This can be hard to determine since our hair is generally several different lengths, even right after a cut.
What Hair Type Loses the Most Hair?
Another sign that you might need to talk to someone about your hair loss is if you notice changes in your hair texture or type. Hair that is particularly fine may sometimes appear to fall out faster than other hair, though that may be perceived.
The thickness of the hair strand is often considered a sign of hair health when in most cases, it is a genetic thing that has been the same for most of your life. However, if you have always had thick hair strands and suddenly become finer, you may need to talk to a hair loss professional.
Many people also confuse the concept of thin or fine hair strands versus thinning hair. Some people naturally have ultra-fine hair but may have lots and lots of it. When professionals say your hair is thinning, they generally mean you have fewer hair follicles per inch of the scalp. However, if your hair strands have been thick your entire life and are suddenly much finer, it can be a good idea to talk to a doctor.
If you think your hair is thinning, it’s time to look at the potential causes.
What Are the Common Types of Hair Loss?
The American Academy of Dermatology Association classifies 18 different types of hair loss. Some are very specific, such as hair loss caused by medications like chemotherapy, but others are much more common. Those are the first ones to consider when looking for the cause of your hair loss.
- Hereditary Hair Loss
- – This hair loss is most associated with our older male relatives, even though it occurs in both men and women.
- Medically, it’s known as androgenic alopecia. When treated early, it is sometimes possible for people to regrow some or all of their hair, and even when it’s not, this type usually responds well to hair restoration procedures.
- Alopecia areata
- – This is an autoimmune condition where the body attacks its hair follicles. Hair regrowth is possible sometimes, especially if a doctor can determine the underlying condition.
- Stress or environmental hair loss
- – Some hair loss results from the body’s reaction to stress, pollution, hairstyles, or hair products. The patient can often reverse these forms of hair loss by changing the behaviors that caused it.
Talk to BayMed Hair and Aesthetics About Your Hair Loss
Whether you are trying to determine if your hair loss is average or what to do if it isn’t, we can help. BayMed Hair and Aesthetics offers a free consultation to determine the cause of your hair loss and which hair restoration would be most appropriate for your needs. Our options include the minimally invasive ARTAS® Robotic Hair Transplant System, a procedure that produces exceptional results and will get you back to your day-to-day life in just a few days. Contact us today for a free consultation.
