I’m Losing Hair — Is This Normal?

Hair loss is often just a part of aging — about two-thirds of women have thinning hair or total hair loss after menopause. But many of us also lose hair well before then (just check your shower or pillow). So how much hair loss is normal and when is it a problem? Jennifer Holman, MD, FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist, explains when you should get help.

Why you’re shedding so much

Holman says it’s normal to lose about 100 hairs a day. You’re probably not keeping count, so if you notice that you’re losing more than usual in the shower or on your hairbrush, it could be excessive hair shedding, or "telogen effluvium.” It’s one of the most common causes of hair loss in women, and it can be related to stress, weight loss, giving birth, or an illness. Your body should readjust within three months to a year, and the excessive shedding should stop. 

When it’s time to see a doc

Holman says you should reach out to a dermatologist if: 

• Your scalp is painful, scaling, or itchy, or you notice redness around the follicles.

• You notice hair loss in circular, shiny bald patches. 

Some of these could be signs of an autoimmune disease (like alopecia areata) related to hair loss. 

A dermatologist will likely do blood work, a physical exam, and sometimes a biopsy to diagnose what type of hair loss you have, what’s causing it, and how to treat it.