Hair shedding: what's normal and when to get help

Why we shed hair at all

Each hair on your head grows for a number of years, rests for a few months and then falls out, making way for a new hair from the same follicle. This is called the hair growth cycle. Because follicles are all at different stages, a steady trickle of hairs is shed every day.

Losing somewhere in the region of 50 to 100 hairs a day is commonly cited as normal. The exact number varies between people and from day to day. You may notice more on days you wash or brush your hair, simply because loose hairs are released all at once.

Common reasons shedding increases

Shedding can go up for a period of time for a range of reasons, including:

• A recent illness, especially one with a high temperature.
• Surgery, an accident or a stressful life event.
• Having a baby.
• Rapid weight loss or a very restrictive diet.
• Low iron stores or other nutritional gaps.
• Thyroid problems.
• Starting, stopping or changing some medicines, including hormonal contraception.

After a trigger like illness or childbirth, shedding usually shows up two to three months later. This is known as telogen effluvium, and in many cases it settles on its own once the cause has passed. Seasonal changes in shedding are also often described.

Shedding, thinning and breakage are different

Shedding means whole hairs coming out from the root, often with a tiny pale bulb at one end. Breakage means hairs snapping along their length, which often leaves short, uneven pieces. Breakage is usually linked to heat, chemical treatments, tight styles or rough handling.

Thinning describes a gradual loss of density, such as a wider parting or more visible scalp at the crown. Pattern thinning often happens slowly and may not involve dramatic shedding at all. Knowing which of these you are seeing helps any professional understand what is going on.

When to see your GP

Make an appointment with your GP if you notice any of the following:

• Sudden patchy hair loss or smooth bald patches.
• Pain, burning, marked redness, pus or sores on the scalp.
• Shiny or scarred-looking areas of scalp.
• Loss of eyebrows, eyelashes or body hair.
• Rapid loss, or heavy shedding that continues beyond about six months.
• Hair loss with other symptoms, such as tiredness, feeling cold, weight change, palpitations or irregular periods.
• Any hair loss in a child.

Your GP can examine you, arrange blood tests such as iron stores and thyroid function, and refer you to a dermatologist through the HSE or the NHS if needed.

What you can do in the meantime

While you wait for an appointment or for shedding to settle, be gentle with your hair. Use a wide-toothed comb, avoid very tight styles and limit high heat. Keep washing your hair as usual: washing does not cause hair to fall out, it simply releases hairs that were already loose.

Eat regular, balanced meals and avoid starting supplements without advice, as some can cause harm in high doses. It can help to note when the shedding started and anything that happened in the months before, as this is useful for your GP.

Keeping track of changes

Shedding can be hard to judge from one day to the next, and worry can make it seem worse. Taking photographs of your parting and hairline every few weeks, in the same light and from the same angles, gives you a clearer view of whether things are changing. A short note of when shedding seemed heavier, and anything that happened around then, can also help your GP or a hair professional.

Where a hair professional fits in

For gradual thinning, breakage or ongoing scalp discomfort, a trichologist can assess your hair and scalp and help you understand what may be contributing. Trichollective's directory lists cosmetic, clinical and medical professionals across Ireland and the UK, and our guided tool can suggest which type might suit your concern. It does not give a diagnosis.