Does Normal Hair Fall While Shampooing?

You’re in the shower, washing that man out of your hair when suddenly, you notice something else washing away… your hair down the drain! Drain clogs aside, you might be wondering if there is something wrong with you.

Does Normal Hair Fall While Shampooing?

Normal hair fall while shampooing, according to studies you’re expected to loose up to 100 hairs per day. Although, the normal hair fall while shampooing can range between 10 and 250 hairs, your hair shedding will typically increase on the days you shampoo, depending on how frequently you use it, and of course, your detangling method.

For some, hair fall can be more pronounced. This is the case for postpartum women. If you’ve ever had a baby, you know what that’s like. Again, all normal. Our hair is designed to fall out when we brush it and when we wash it. It’s the circle of life, hair edition.

It helps to understand the growth cycle for your hair. There are three stages – anagen, catagen, and telogen. In the anagen phase, your hair grows about half an inch per month. It grows even faster in the summer (that’s right, it wasn’t your imagination!).

This growth phase lasts around 3 to 5 years. Next is the catagen phase which only lasts about 10 days, followed by the telogen phase. This is a resting period where hair falls out.

The follicles where the hair fell from remain inactive for a good 3 months and then they get back to work again. Every hair follicle on your head is independent of each other and that’s a good thing or all your hair would fall out at once. Typically, you only shed around 80 to 100 hairs a day, and again, that’s normal!

Hair loss and thinning hair happen when the growth cycle is disrupted. Some things like metabolic imbalances, improper nutrition, or illnesses can offset it. They might trigger an abrupt end to the anagen phase and entry into the telogen phase simultaneously.

Is your hair loss a result of your shampoo or shampooing techniques? Read on to find out more about why hair loss when shampooing is happening to you.

Don’t Worry Normal Hair Fall While Shampooing

The next time you wash your hair, try not to freak out when you notice extra hairs coming out of your head. Those hairs that come out with ease are in the telogen phase. Unless whole big chunks of hair are falling off your head in the shower, the hair fall you’re experiencing is all a normal process.

In some cases, you may be putting too much pressure on your scalp. You should take care to be gentle as you wash your hair. Take the time to massage your scalp with a light touch. Use your fingertips, not your fingernails, and work in circular motions. This should be a relaxing feeling, one that helps you unwind after a busy day.

By massaging your scalp using a shampoo that is best for your hair, you help remove debris from the hair follicles and keep them healthy. This is what will help your new hair growth kick in when those follicles are ready.

Shampoos generally aren’t responsible for causing excessive hair fall. However, using a quality shampoo that’s free of sulfates will certainly help keep your hair and scalp healthier.

A 2005 study has shown that sulfate can lead to protein loss causing hair damage. So, it’s always wise to choose quality and go for formulations that don’t contain harsh chemicals.

If you already use a quality shampoo and you suspect your hair loss is falling out more rapidly than 100 hairs a day, you might want to think about other factors in your life that could be contributing to it. Stress, hormones, and diet can all play a role in hair fall. Keep reading to find out more on how those come into play below.

How Much Hair Fall Is Normal While Shampooing?

As mentioned, the average healthy person loses between 10 and 250 strands of hair on shampoo days. This doesn’t always happen during shampooing though. Some people wash their hair every other day and this hair fall can happen when they brush or comb it.

Again, as long as hair is falling out at this rate daily, it’s normal. It doesn’t matter what you do as these hairs are in the telogen phase and will simply fall out naturally.

It’s important to always nourish your hair . Some hair types benefit from daily washing while others, especially when reaching a certain length, don’t need to go through the trouble every single day.

As mentioned, using quality hair care products is essential for nourishing your hair and scalp. But what if you’re seeing quite a bit more than 100 hairs falling out?

If you have any concerns whatsoever, it’s best to make an appointment with your doctor to find out what’s causing an excess in hair fall, especially if this has been going on for some time. Remember, after pregnancy, it’s normal to have a little more hair fall, but if you’re worried, talk to your doctor.

Wondering how exactly you know if your hair fall is in the normal range? You can perform a couple very simple tests to determine whether or not you should be concerned.

It’s perfectly normal to think that hair you see in the drain and on the shower floor looks like a lot. You can try to count it, but these tests might be a little less hair-raising, pardon the pun.

Do keep in mind that the older you get, the more hair loss you’ll have, but it should only still be coming out in the normal range.

– Try the pull test

This very simple method can help you see if your hair loss is normal or not. Grab a lock of hair that contains about 60 hairs in it and gently pull on it while running your fingers through your hair. Normal hair fall will result in anywhere from 5 to 8 of those 60 hairs coming out in your hand. Not so normal? 15 or more. If you find a lot of hair in your hands after doing the pull test, schedule a checkup.

– Go for the comb test

Another way to check if your hair fall situation is normal or not is to rely on your comb to help you. Prior to shampooing, you should comb your hair from the back portion of the top of your head in a forward direction.

Continue this movement for one minute as you lean over a light-colored bed sheet. This way you will see how much hair has fallen with greater ease. If your hair fall is normal, you’ll find about 10 hairs. If it’s not, you’ll find more.

Wasn’t it G.I. Joe that said, “Knowing is half the battle” though? If you find your hair fall is normal, you can breathe a sigh of relief. But what if it isn’t? Well, don’t stress! That just makes it worse! But now that you know, you can do something about it.

Another thing to keep in mind is that you shouldn’t just perform these tests once. Try them twice a week.

Sometimes a shift in your hormones, like during that time of month, can make hair fall seem greater than it actually is. If you’ve performed these tests several times and you still find more hair falling out than you bargained for, then you can start finding a solution.

Is your shampoo causing your hair to fall out?

Definitely not. Hair loss is generally not caused by shampoo though as mentioned earlier, there are formulations that are not the best for your hair.

They might not directly cause it to fall out, but they do cause damages to your tresses. Always buy shampoos and hair products that are free of sulfates and parabens.

Look for formulas that can balance the pH of your scalp. Sometimes, herbal shampoos can be helpful, if they’re made with real essential oils and organic ingredients.

A trip to the dermatologist can be a fruitful experience that will help you discover what’s best for your scalp. Like your face, it needs to be given the same kind of love and attention.

How can I reduce hair Fall while shampooing?

If there is no medical condition responsible for your excessive hair loss, you might want to change your lifestyle habits. Even though losing more hair is par for the course as you age, you can hold onto more of it by taking good care of yourself. Here are some tips for reducing hair loss while shampooing.

– Eat right

What you eat affects your hair quality. Protein and omega-3 fatty acids are very important to your hair. These maco and micro nutrients keep your roots healthy and strong. Foods like milk, fatty fish, and flaxseed are excellent choices for a healthy hair diet.

– Use nutritional supplements

Many multi-vitamins don’t give you what you need. Speak to your doctor about the right combinations of vitamins, particularly vitamin A which really helps hair get healthy.

You can eat it in carrots, eggs, and leafy greens too. You’ll also want vitamins B12 and E to help support proper circulation for the scalp to keep your hair follicles functioning.

– Curb bad habits

Alcohol and caffeine can exacerbate a hair fall problem. Smoking can too. Cut back and incorporate good healthy habits for the sake of your hair.

– Drink more water

More water means more growth for your hair, not to mention the rest of your body. When you let yourself get dehydrated, it does a number on your skin and hair.

– De-stress

Stress and tension are the root cause, pardon the pun, of hair fall. It’s important to take back moments of peace for yourself. Try meditating, yoga, or even taking a peaceful walk among the trees.

– Exercise regularly

When you exercise, you sweat, even on your scalp. When you do, this unclogs your hair pores. You’ll need to wash bacteria away of course, so shower gently with a quality shampoo after vigorous exercise and you’ll enjoy better hair overall.

– Get plenty of antioxidants

Antioxidants really work wonders for your whole body. Green tea is one of the best for healthy hair.

– Treat your hair right

When hair is thinning, it can be even more fragile than usual. You should always handle it with care. For one, use a cool or low setting on your hair dryer. For another, go easy on the flat irons.

Another thing to be cautious about is dying your hair. Stick to hair colors that are no more than 2 shades away from your natural color. The more drastic the color change, the more chemicals which cause hair to break and thin out.

Never brush your hair when it’s wet either! Always use a wide-toothed comb and refrain from tugging. The best way to comb through hair is to start at the ends first. Once those are tangle-free, you can start from the top down.

Conclusion

Everyone that washes their hair finds hair fall in the shower when shampooing. Knowing what is a normal amount of hair to find and what isn’t will help you determine a plan of action.

You can use a few easy tests to determine if the amount of hair falling out of your head as you shampoo is normal or excessive.

If it is excessive, you should speak to your doctor to make sure there isn’t an underlying condition. Sometimes, certain medications may be to blame too. Your doctor can help you find a solution.

In most cases, stress and poor diet are to blame. It’s important to take good care of yourself from the inside out to have the kind of healthy hair you want.

Take good care of yourself and your hair, and it will definitely show its appreciation in the form of a beautiful appearance.