Hair loss...it’s normal, until it isn’t.

Hair loss is something I am asked about a lot. Especially by those in the early stages of the curly girl method. I always reply that it’s completely normal, until it isn’t. I shall explain. But first, hair growing process.

Hair has a growth cycle consisting of 4 stages, anagen, catagen, telogen and exogen (shedding).

Anagen is the ‘growing’ phase of the hair and can last anywhere between 2-7 years. It varies from person the person, it changes and generally shortens with age. Typically those people who feel they can’t grow hair very long have a shorter Anagen phase.

Catagen is a ‘ transition’ stage, the hair stops growing and this stage only lasts around 10 days.

Telogen is the ‘resting’ phase and lasts for around 10-12 weeks.

Exogen is part of the telogen phase and is when the hair sheds.

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Hair grows about 1/2 an inch a month.

About 100 new anagen hairs grow every day.

About 3% of hairs are in the catagen stage.

About 10-15% of hair is in the telogen stage.

We all lose between 50 - 100 hairs a day.

Every hair is at a different stage in the cycle otherwise we be bald.

We have around 100,000 hairs on our heads.

We shed more hair after giving birth, this only lasts for a short time.

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So hair loss is normal...until it’s not.

If you’re washing your hair twice a week you could have around 400 hairs come out in the shower, wash once a week it could be around 700.

If you typically lose one handful and that changes to 2 handfuls then that’s the time to speak to your gp. Lack of iron, nutrients or medical conditions like hypothyroidism can cause hair loss. Along with stress, and, worrying about hair loss. A simple blood test can rule out most things.

Cornwall Curl Specialist ~ BlewBelle
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