How much hair loss per day is normal?
How many hairs it's normal to lose each day, why it's more on wash day, and how to tell when it's more than normal.
As a rule of thumb, up to around 100 hairs a day is considered normal. That sounds like a lot, but with around 100,000 hairs on your head, it's only a tiny fraction. On wash days it can be noticeably more, without anything being wrong.
Why the number varies
- Wash day: When you wash and comb, hairs that were already loose come out all at once. If you wash less often, more hair ends up in the drain on that day.
- Hair length: Long hair looks like more in the brush, even if it's the same number.
- Season: Many people lose more hair in autumn. More on this in Hair loss in autumn.
- Strain: Severe stress, an infection or childbirth can lead to more hair loss two to three months later.
How to tell if it's more than normal
You don't need to count your hairs. What's more telling is whether something changes:
- You've been losing noticeably more hair than usual for weeks.
- Your ponytail is getting thinner or your parting wider.
- Your scalp shows through more than it used to.
- Thinning or bald patches appear.
Our tip: Photograph your parting every few weeks in the same light. That way you'll see changes you'd miss in the mirror.
What's good for your hair
Give your hair a regular routine: scalp care from the outside, for example with our Hairforte Spray for women or the Hairforte Spray for men, and nutrients from the inside such as biotin and zinc, which contribute to the maintenance of normal hair. Stick with it for a few months – hair grows slowly. You'll find everything for your routine under Hair loss.
When should you see a doctor?
If the increased hair loss lasts longer than two to three months or you notice thinning patches, have it checked by a dermatologist. You'll find the possible causes in Hair loss: causes and types.
Frequently asked questions
Are 150 hairs a day too many?
Not necessarily on a wash day. But if you lose noticeably more than before every day for weeks, it's worth taking a closer look.
Does colouring make more hair fall out?
Colouring generally doesn't damage the hair root, but it can stress the hair. Hairs are then more likely to break, which looks like hair loss.
Does hair that has fallen out grow back?
With the normal hair cycle, yes: a new hair grows back in the same place.