It can be alarming to look at your comb or the shower drain cover and see a clump of hair. Not only could it clog your pipes, it can cause you to worry that it’s a sign of serious hair loss. But chances are what you’re seeing isn’t anything to be concerned about—and if you want to be sure, there are easy ways to check for abnormal hair loss without visiting a doctor.

The average person loses somewhere between 50 and 100 strands of hair per day, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. Yes, that’s a lot, so don’t panic if you see a few strands in your bathroom.

Hair shedding versus hair loss

While we’re on the topic, there is a difference between hair loss and hair shedding. The AAD notes that hair shedding—or temporarily losing a little more hair than usual—is completely normal, and usually occurs after a major life stressor or body change, like losing 20 pounds or more, giving birth, having a high fever, going off birth control pills, or caregiving for a loved one. Excessive hair shedding usually lasts for six to nine months, and then your hair growth and hair loss returns to normal levels.

Hair loss, on the other hand, is when something happens that actually stops your hair from growing, the AAD explains. Examples of this include hereditary hair loss, losing hair because of a medication like chemotherapy, using harsh hair care products, or having a compulsion to pull out your own hair. In these cases, the hair will not regrow until the cause stops—though that’s not possible in every case (i.e., if genetics are to blame). If you still have questions about the difference between hair shedding and hair loss, it may be a good idea to talk to your doctor.

That said, if you want to test your own rate of hair loss, here are two ways to go about it:

Pull test

​For a simple at-home test, Dr. James C. Marotta suggests you take about 60 hairs between your fingers and pull a little bit as you run your fingers through your hair. It’s normal to see five to eight hairs in your hand. If you have 15 to 20 hairs, though, you could be losing more hair than normal. Marotta explains:
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Comb test

Here’s another test to try: Before shampooing, comb from the back of the top of your head forward to the front of the scalp for one minute. Do this while leaning over a lightly colored bed sheet, then count the hairs on the sheet. According to a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association: Dermatology, you should see about 10 hairs. If you see more, you might be experiencing excessive hair loss.

Of course, there are a few caveats to both of these methods, including that these numbers are approximate and may differ between people with different types of hair. Also, we tend to lose more hair as we age, which, again, is normal. But the general idea is to get a baseline for your own head so you can tell when your hair loss has gotten worse.
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This story was originally published in November 2016 and updated on Dec. 2, 2020 to perform a copyedit and align the content with current Lifehacker style guidelines. 

Reports of hair loss during the pandemic are rising. ​

Hair loss isn’t painful or dangerous, but that doesn’t make it any less scary. Unearthing clumps of hair in your shower drain or discovering that your hardwood floors have suddenly become a human carpet is a distressing experience—to say the least. But don’t panic! Before you stalk a specialist or dive into thinning hair remedies, keep in mind that hair loss is totally normal. In fact, we shed approximately 50 to 100 strands of hair each day.

So when does hair loss reach a point of concern? “A person will generally know how much hair they see fall out in their brush or in the shower on a daily basis,” says Gretchen Friese, certified trichologist for BosleyMD. “If you’re losing way more hair than usual or if the hair is coming out in clumps, that would be considered abnormal or excessive.”

If you’ve been going through an unprecedented (2020’s favorite word) hair loss phase, you’re not alone. Throughout the pandemic, people have been reporting a host of seemingly unrelated symptoms, including episodes of hair loss. The alarming symptom—sometimes in otherwise healthy individuals who never had coronavirus—is understandably confusing, but it turns out there's a common thread among many of these conditions: chronic stress.

“I have had a number of clients who have noticed increased hair loss since quarantine in March,” says Friese. “This is not from the virus itself, but from the physiological stress of fighting it off.” The stats back it up—nationwide, surveys have found increasing rates of depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts during the pandemic. “People are losing their jobs, cannot see families, and aren’t able to participate in their regular exercise routines. They are also being forced to homeschool children," says Friese. "Naturally, any of these lifestyle changes can contribute to an overwhelming amount of stress."

This phenomenon is called telogen effluvium (also called “shock hair loss”), a temporary hair loss from excessive shedding due to a shock to the system. According to Friese, this usually begins several months after a stressful experience. “Women who have given birth will often experience this kind of hair loss in the months following,” she says.

In the case of coronavirus hair loss, this may be related to increased levels of cortisol, a stress hormone. Think of the life cycle of a follicle in three stages (growing, resting, and shedding). “A hormonal imbalance can pause the growing phase and put large numbers of hair follicles into a resting (telogen) phase,” says Friese. “This is the third phase of hair growth and the one before the hair sheds (exogen phase). When a larger than normal amount of follicles go into this resting phase, it will force more hair loss in the final shedding stage.”

There may be other factors at play, too. “People are stress eating, eating poorly, and consuming more alcohol than usual. A poor diet can take a toll on the whole body, including the hair follicles,” says Friese.

Cabin fever is another health concern. “Lack of sunlight is known to affect hair loss. Your hair needs vitamins, so without enough vitamin D from the sun (as well as the circulation your body gets from activity), you aren't providing these essential nutrients for your hair,” says Laura Polko, a celebrity hairstylist in Los Angeles, Calif.

The good news? Coronavirus hair loss—even if you have telogen effluvium—is completely reversible. Because it’s a hormonal imbalance and not genetic (like alopecia), your hair loss is likely not going to be a permanent issue. If anything, take it as your body’s wake-up call to check in with yourself and prioritize your mental health, both of which are more critical than ever these days.
 
“Keeping stress levels down as much as possible is key. A good diet, sunlight exposure, exercise, and meditation are all great practices in stress management,” says Friese. “Also, reach out to loved ones. Even a phone call can help lift spirits and help people feel more connected and less isolated when we can’t see each other in person.”

Using products to help prevent hair loss—as well as regrow lost hair—can also help. “Don't overdo the dry shampoo which can clog the follicles and work against you,” says Polko. “Instead, wash your hair regularly with products that promote hair growth, like NatureLab Tokyo's Perfect Volume Shampoo and Conditioner ($14 each; ulta.com).” You may also want to look into personalized haircare services that provide targeted remedies. BosleyMD offers customized formulas for any stage of hair loss and will deliver the products straight to your home.
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The takeaway: Stay calm. Stressing about hair loss is only going to work against you, so a levelheaded attitude is the best medication for a full head of hair. And be patient: Hair growth takes time—usually half an inch a month. Even hair-loss treatments that work take time, so you usually won’t see results for three to four months. And if it still isn’t improving? Book an appointment with a trichologist or dermatologist. “Hair loss is much more common than most women realize,” says Friese. “There are really good solutions out there—we just have to find the right one for you.”

This year are started a section for the "Follically Challenged".  There are so many conversations and articles on the topic and I want make sure you are getting good information. 
​
This month I have another article for you about

 8 Early Signs of Male Pattern Baldness

​If you’re a man and losing your hair, you are probably not feeling your best. You want to curb your hair loss before it really gets out of control.

You want to avoid going bald. You want to keep an eye out to see if you are going bald so you can know if and when to take action.

So how do you know that you might be going bald? What causes baldness and is there anything you can do to avoid it?

We’ve put together this guide on the early signs of male pattern baldness.

1. Hereditary
Hereditary influences is the most common reason for hair loss. You should ask if anyone in your family was bald if you don’t know already.

Beware, however, this reason comes with many myths. The most popular is that the ‘baldness gene’ comes from the mother’s side of the family. 

The fact is that bot much research has not been done in this area and it is still a relatively new field of discovery. You should meticulously analyze if baldness has been common on both sides of your family before you worry about whether or not you might lose your hair.

2. Receding Hairline
If you notice that your hairline is receding, this is a sign that you might go bald. This starts with your hair thinning at your temples as well as your forehead.

A receding hairline means that your hair will thin and then fall out. You are left with a horseshoe aesthetic on your head. A receding hairline can also lead to baldness, though not necessarily. If you are experiencing a receding hairline, you can speak to a doctor on whether they think this will lead to baldness.

3. Your Crown
You should also keep an eye on the crown of your head. You can also lose hair on your crown. If you do, this can lead to eventual baldness.

You want to check if there is any thinning at the crown of your head as soon as possible. You can ask your doctor if they feel this will lead to baldness.

4. Curly Hair
Having curly hair, believe it or not, can lead to baldness — if your hair is naturally straight. If you find that you see curly hair near your hairline, this can lead to you losing your hair.

You might see curly hair appear once your hair on your crown begins to thin. If this happens, then you should seek solutions to prevent balding as it is now much more likely to happen.

5. Aging
As you age, the chances of going bald increases. Once you go past the age of 50, you can expect your hair to thin. This doesn’t mean that you will go bald, but the likelihood increases.

You want to make sure that you eat healthily, have a healthy lifestyle, and try to avoid using damaging hair products if you want to avoid baldness at a later age. Hair thinning is natural and inevitable, but this doesn’t have to mean that you will lose your hair altogether.

6. Wide Parting
If you notice that your hair has wide partings, this can lead to balding. When you comb or part your hair, take a close inspection at the parting. If you find that the parting is wider than normal, then you want to start focusing on regrowing your hair.

When you see a wide parting, you should also pay attention if your hair is thinning. If both occur, then this increases the likelihood of balding.

7. You Have Dandruff
If you have dandruff, this can cause more serious issues in the future. Most men see dandruff as an inconvenience that will one day disappear. But if you have dandruff for long enough, it can lead to baldness.

Dandruff means that there is a lack of hydration and oil production in your scalp. It leads to poor scalp health which, in turn, can lead to baldness. If you do experience dandruff, you want to take the steps to fight against it. You want to invest in an anti-dandruff shampoo, for example.

If the problem persists, you should speak to your doctor about how you can deal with dandruff. Even if this never leads to baldness, you want to make sure your scalp is as healthy as possible so that you never increase the risk of balding.

8. Sensitivity and Pain
Do you ever feel a sensitivity or a vicious pain on your head? When the weather is hot or cold, do you feel an unbearable pain at the top of your head? This might lead to balding.

This happens when your hair is thinning. When your hair is thinning, it cannot serve as adequate protection for your head. As a result, the pain and sensitivity continues to increase when you go out in hot or cold weather.
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If you notice this sensitivity and/or pain, then it might mean that your hair is thinning. If you find that it is, then you need to take action. One simple precaution is to cover your head when you go out so that you can prolong your hair and scalp health.

As a heads up, if you do find out you are experiencing the possibility of going bad, we want you to find a way to stop this. To start, You can check out these helpful vitamins to combat your baldness.

Alopecia, or hair loss can affect your scalp as well as body hair. It can be temporary or permanent. This can result due to hereditary reasons, medical conditions or ailments, or aging.

Look After Your Hair

Now that you know the early signs of male pattern baldness, you are better prepared to prevent and treat balding. Make sure to share this guide with other men who are worried about balding.

From Fashionably Male

This year are started a section for the "Follically Challenged".  There are so many conversations and articles on the topic and I want make sure you are getting good information. ​

This month I have another article for you about

 12 Most Common Causes of Hair Loss
in Women

We all want to feel healthy and happy, especially in today’s world where we are surrounded by uncertainty and change. If you’re like me and many other women who have experienced unexpected hair loss, it can increase your anxiety. There is good news, however. There are many reasons why you may be experiencing sudden hair loss, most of which are temporary and reversible. Here are 12 of the most common causes of hair loss in women.

What Causes Hair Loss in Women?

Hopefully, these causes for hair loss in women will ease your worries and help you change your routine to reverse hair shedding.

#1: Stress

For many of us, stress has become a significant factor in our daily lives. Unfortunately, when left unchecked, stress can lead to many health-related issues, including hair loss. According to experts, the average human scalp has about 100,000 hair follicles. At any given time, each of your hair follicles is in a different phase of this cycle: Anagen phase (growth), Catagen (transition) phase, Telogen phase (resting), and Exogen phase (shedding). If your hair loss has been triggered by stress, managing your stress could be the key to returning to a healthy rate of hair growth. So, next time you’re starting to feel that stress level rise, remember to take deep breaths and look for healthy stress relievers. Your hair will benefit and so will you.

#2: Weight Loss

I have personal experience with this one. When I recently lost about 35 pounds in three months, I started to notice I was losing more than my normal amount of hair on a daily basis. I was eating a balanced diet, but it was restrictive in calories and resulted in fairly rapid weight loss. The research shows that rapid weight loss can cause hair loss by causing your hair to go into its resting phase, also known as telogen effluvium. According to Dr. Anthony L. Komaroff, “The stress to one’s system from sudden or excessive weight loss can throw hair follicles into their resting phase. This is when many hairs are shed…This resting phase usually lasts two or three months. Hair growth returns to normal after that.”

#3: Childbirth

Known as one of the most physically and emotionally charged times in a woman’s life, it’s no wonder that some of us experience sudden hair loss during and directly after childbirth. According to the medical experts, this is often due to hormonal shifts brought on by pregnancy. During the nine months of active pregnancy, our hair stays in its growth, or Anagen, phase, and does not get shed like it normally would. Therefore, when hormones shift again postpartum and the hair enters its resting phase, the excess hair is shed, which can seem alarming. However, it is usually temporary and a natural part of the childbirth process.

#4: Hot Oil

How many of you love a good hot oil treatment for your hair? I know there’s something extremely relaxing about the heat and feel of it as it sits on your scalp. While there are some great benefits to it, you may want to be careful when indulging in this activity. It has been found that excessive use of this and other chemical treatments, such as permanents and dyes, can cause scarring to your hair follicles, which may result in hair loss.

#5: Hair Styling

As may be expected, if you engage in excessive hair-styling techniques that put extreme stress and pulling on your hair, such as tight braiding, pigtails or cornrows, over time, that could result in some hair loss. So, the next time you try one of these styles, you may want to give your hair a little grace and loosen the braid just a bit. Your scalp and hair will thank you.

#6: Genetics

Sometimes, the cause of our hair loss is as simple as genetics. Experts at the Mayo Clinic state, “The most common cause of hair loss is a hereditary condition that happens with aging. This condition is called androgenic alopecia, male-pattern baldness and female-pattern baldness. It usually occurs gradually and in predictable patterns — a receding hairline and bald spots in men and thinning hair along the crown of the scalp in women.” If you find yourself experiencing the same hair loss as others in your family, this may be the cause.

#7: Scalp Health

We all love a good dry shampoo or leave-in conditioner, right? While they have some great benefits for our hair, excessive use may cause inflammation and/or clogging of our hair follicles. Because most hair loss is related to the condition of our scalp and follicles, clogging them can lead to hair loss. The key to preventing this loss is to find a hair-care regimen that works for you and one that also promotes a healthy scalp. Shampooing, rinsing and scalp treatments can help prevent this loss and lead to a healthier you.

#8: Shrinking Follicles

According to experts at WebMD, 30 million American women experience a hereditary condition that causes hair loss, affecting about 50% of all women. It is known as female-pattern baldness. According to WebMD, “Typically, each time a normal hair follicle is shed, it is replaced by hair that is equal in size. But in women with female-pattern hair loss, the new hair is finer and thinner — a more miniaturized version of itself…” What eventually happens is the follicles shrink and can even quit growing altogether. You should visit your doctor or dermatologist, if you think you may be experiencing this type of hair loss, as they can help determine a treatment regimen.

#9: Menopause

While many women may experience increased hair loss when going through menopause, experts say this may be more an effect of aging than the actual menopausal process. For many of the reasons above, as women get older, they experience changes in their hair follicles around the ages of 50 to 60. This could be due to hormone changes, stress, diet or other health conditions.

#10: Vitamins

We all know that good nutrition and proper supplementation are keys to a healthy lifestyle. They are also vital to the health of our hair. Nutritionists have found the most influential nutrients which can be linked to healthy hair are Vitamin B12, Biotin, Folate, and Riboflavin. Many of these can be found in the food we eat, as well as in well-rounded multi vitamins.

#11: Medications

Some medications may cause hair loss, especially if stress on the hair follicles is a known side effect. Prolonged stress may result in hair loss. It is always best to consult with your doctor about prolonged medication use of any kind.

#12: Diet

Finally, indulging in a healthy, well-rounded nutrition routine is crucial to overall health, including your lustrous strands. One commonly misunderstood part of our diets is fat. Some have found that a lack of healthy fats in a person’s diet may lead to hair loss. Experts state that adding healthy fats to your diet is extremely important for hair growth. Fat helps the body assimilate vitamins that are essential for healthy hair. Focus on eating unsaturated fats like Omega 3s.

So, there you have it, my top 12 causes for hair loss in women. Whatever the reason, if you are experiencing unexpected hair loss, you should contact your health-care provider for more information and resources. Here’s to less stress and shining strands of luxurious hair in 2021!

People lose their hair for any number of reasons – hormones, genetics and aging, among others – but in the middle of a pandemic-fueled recession, one factor is taking center stage: Stress.

“Stress certainly can contribute to hair loss because it can affect hormone levels,” says Dr. Patrick Angelos (drpatrickangelos.com), author of The Science and Art of Hair Restoration: A Patient’s Guide.  “Any number of stressful events can lead to a sudden loss of hair, although in those cases the hair typically will grow back over time.”

For more permanent hair-loss concerns, Angelos, a plastic surgeon who specializes in hair restoration, uses robotic treatment to help patients regain their beloved locks. That process involves an advanced, minimally invasive hair transplant system that uses technology driven by artificial intelligence.

“Among the reasons patients consider hair restoration is that they want to get back some of their youthful look and feel better about themselves,” Angelos says. “Helping them accomplish that is one of the great satisfactions I get from being a plastic surgeon.”

But for those who want to keep their hair healthy and full now and who hope to avoid ever reaching the point where they need hair-loss intervention, Angelos offers a few tips:

• Maintain good hair care and hygiene habits. The way you wash your hair could undermine your efforts to prevent hair loss, Angelos says. As you wash, avoid pulling back on your hair because that can put traction on the follicles. “The same goes for combing,” he says. “It’s less stressful on the follicles to wash and comb your hair forward, toward your face, instead of toward the back of your scalp and neck. Also, long hair weighs more, so on its own, it can put more traction on the follicles.” Brushing your hair regularly, however, is good because it massages the scalp and helps improve blood flow and circulation. The condition of your hair should also be in balance – not too oily, not too dry. “Finally, don’t overuse a hair dryer because that can make hair weak and brittle, which can lead to more hair loss,” Angelos says.
• Treat health issues. Hormonal imbalances and other medical conditions such as low thyroid and iron or iodine deficiency can contribute to hair loss, Angelos says. “Avoid overuse of supplements and medications,” he says. “Since supplements such as testosterone, human growth hormone, whey, and DHEA can cause thinning and hair loss, especially avoid excessive use of these.”
• Be aware of your nutritional needs. Some fad diets may have a nutritional impact on hair loss. “It’s really important to eat a healthy balance of carbohydrates, proteins, and fat,” Angelos says. He also recommends taking a multivitamin that includes vitamins A, B complex, C, D and E, along with the minerals zinc, iodine and iron, all of which help with hair health.
• Avoid unhealthy environments. The negative health effects of smoking are well known, especially related to lung cancer. But one more reason to avoid smoking, Angelos says, is that it can affect hair loss. In addition to smoking, other environmental factors that can contribute to hair loss include environmental exposures like radiation and air pollution.

When efforts to prevent hair loss fall short, those who prefer to avoid baldness can explore the possibilities that modern science provides.

“Not every patient needs hair transplantation, though,” Angelos says. “Especially when it comes to younger patients, it may be best to start with other options. Since the reasons for hair loss vary from person to person and are unique to their circumstances, a good place to start is by determining the cause of hair loss in the first place, and then go from there.”