Can I have a hair loss disorder if my shedding seems normal?

Normal Shedding

I’ve selected this question below for this week’s question of the week. It allows us to review the importance of information pertaining to shedding when evaluating hair loss?

Question

What is considered normal shedding and is is possible to have any type of hair loss condition if I don’t actually see increased shedding? Should I be concerned if my hair shedding seems fairly normal ?

Answer

Most people lose around 25-70 hairs per day. That’s the number for those who shampoo daily. If one shampoos every second or third day, the numbers will be higher. For example, for those who shampoo every second o third day, they will find that they lose more one a shampoo day and less on a non shampoo day.

Normal shedding does not necessarily mean “normal”

There are a few hair loss conditions where patients shed normally but actually have a hair loss condition. Mild andorgenetic hair loss, focal alopecia areata and some scarring alopecias are just three examples. In these situations, the patient may not really feel they are shedding all that much more than normal - but they have a hair loss condition.

Abnormal shedding never means “normal”

Although normal shedding may or may not signal any thing wrong, the reverse is not true. There is no situation whereby excessive shedding is just “normal.” It always signals there is some process going on. Now, keep in mind that this ‘process"‘ might not be serious in some cases and may only be temporary, but there is no situation whereby excessive daily shedding is just a “nothing.”

As far as the next part of your question goes, the only thing that matters is whether or not you feel your hair density and fullness are any different than 1 year ago. If you feel it’s pretty much the same, there is probably no real worry. If you think something is different and density is less, you need to see a doctor.

Conclusion and Summary

Information pertaining to shedding is important. However, it’s possible to have hair loss even though shedding seems more or less normal in intensity. If shedding is normal, the next question to ask is whether the density and volume feel the same. If they too are unchanged, it becomes less and less likely there is an issue. If the density is changed in any area, a proper evaluation should be undertaken.