How Much Hair Loss is Normal?
It is normal to lose about 50 to 150 hairs per day as part of the natural hair growth cycle. Sudden or excessive shedding, thinning ponytails, or widening parts may indicate abnormal hair loss requiring evaluation.
What are the top causes of hair loss?
- Genetics: Male or female pattern baldness (androgenetic alopecia) driven by hormonal sensitivity to DHT
- Hormonal changes: Pregnancy, menopause, thyroid imbalances, PCOS
- Stress and trauma: Telogen effluvium occurs weeks after significant emotional or physical stress
- Medical conditions: Alopecia areata, lupus, thyroid diseases, anemia
- Medications: Chemotherapy, blood thinners, hormonal treatments, GLP
- Hair care practices: Over-styling, tight hairstyles causing traction alopecia, or exposure to harsh chemicals
- Nutritional deficiencies: Protein, iron, zinc, vitamin D and B deficiencies
Common Signs and Symptoms of Hair Loss
- Excess shedding in comb, pillow, or shower drain
- Thinning on top of the head and temples
- Hair part widening
- Hair volume or shape maintenance
- Sensitive or itchy scalp early in some cases
What are the names/types of Hair Loss
- Androgenetic alopecia: Chronic, hereditary thinning in men and women
- Telogen effluvium: Temporary shedding after stress, surgery, or childbirth
- Alopecia areata: Autoimmune patchy hair loss
- Traction alopecia: From consistent tension from hairstyles (ponytails, braids)
- Frontal fibrosing alopecia: Scarring alopecia affecting the hairline, more common post-menopause
- Anagen effluvium: Rapid hair loss due to treatments like chemotherapy
Is Hair Loss Permanent or Reversible?
That depends. If it is temporary like telogen effluvium (stress, surgery, childbirth), then it regrows when the trigger is removed. Many sources of hair loss though are progressive or permanent. If you have androgenetic alopecia, treatment can slow or partially reverse thinning, but early intervention is critical. If you have scarring, the hair follicle cannot regrow.
Are there ways to prevent hair loss?
Hair loss tends to be multifactorial. General things which can help:
- Maintain a healthy diet with sufficient protein, iron, and vitamins
- Manage stress through mindfulness, therapy, or exercise
- Avoid excessive chemical, heat, or tight hairstyling
- Evaluate. Is your thyroid function normal? Do you have vitamin deficiencies? Are your hormones changing (menopause, men over 50)? Does it run in your family?
- If losing weight on a GLP, slow steady weight loss is better
Start treatment early, particularly if your genetic history indicates hair loss is likely.
What should I do to treat hair loss?
We recommend coming into the Biohackr Clinics in SF or Palo Alto so we can help you navigate this. We are doing a current promotion where your consultation for a hair treatment plan is free. Treatments need to vary based on WHAT is causing your hair loss. It also can vary with what your time commitment is and price point. There are treatments that need to be done daily, which also tend to be less expensive. There are other treatments (like PRP and Microneedling with Exosomes) which tend to be done as a series, with follow up maintenance only 1-2 x/year.
We focus on science based treatments. See our blogs on scientific studies supporting what we do. HAIR BLOGS We see many men and women spending a lot of money and energy on unproven treatments. Please see someone who can help you sort the WHY of your hair loss and give you directed advice, with proven regenerative and restorative treatments.
Treatments range from:
- Supplements which address many of the common causes of hair loss. Biohackr Hair Supplement
- Oral or Topical Minoxidil
- Finasteride
- Injections of PRP/PRF
- Microneedling, usually combined with Age Zero Exosomes and Minoxidil
- Hormones
- Thyroid issues
- Vitamin replacement
See our page on Hair for more in depth information. HAIR