The Great Shed Debate: What’s Normal VS What’s Not

Ever looked at your hairbrush and thought, “Am I going bald?!” Or ever cleaned your hairbrush and thought, “This could make a small wig”? Don’t panic, some shedding is totally normal. In fact, your hair is like a garden: strands sprout, grow, rest, and eventually fall out to make room for new ones. Let’s break down the hairy truth.

What’s Normal

• Daily Shedding: Losing 50–100 strands a day is typical. It’s just part of your hair’s growth cycle.
• Seasonal Changes: Some people shed a little more in spring and fall, like your scalp’s way of changing outfits.
• After Styling: Brushing, washing, or taking out a bun can release hair that was already ready to go. ( Post-Bun Avalanche )

Tip: If you’re finding loose strands in the shower, it doesn’t mean they all fell out there. They just finally let go during washing.

Fun Fact: The average human has 100,000+ hairs on their head, so losing a few dozen is like misplacing a couple of sprinkles off your cupcake.

What’s Not Normal

• Clumps or Bald Patches: If hair is coming out in handfuls or you notice circular bald spots, that’s a red flag.
• Sudden, Excessive Loss: If your shedding increases dramatically over a short period, it could be stress, illness, hormonal shifts, or a nutritional deficiency.
• Itchy, Painful, or Flaky Scalp: Shedding with scalp discomfort could signal an underlying skin condition.

When to Check In With a Pro
If you notice rapid changes, visible thinning, or scalp symptoms. The sooner you know the cause, the sooner you can take action, whether that’s a lifestyle change, treatment, or both.

Shedding is part of the hair life cycle; it's normal and even healthy. Think of it as housekeeping for your scalp, keeping the ones that spark joy and letting go of the rest. But if your hair starts leaving faster than it’s arriving, it’s worth investigating.