> Quick Answer: Losing 50-100 hairs per day is normal—that's part of the natural hair growth cycle. Hair grows for 2-7 years (anagen phase), transitions for 2-3 weeks (catagen), then rests and sheds over 3 months (telogen). Excessive shedding occurs when more follicles enter the telogen phase simultaneously, often triggered by stress, hormonal changes, or nutritional deficiencies.
The Hair Growth Cycle Explained
Understanding your hair's natural lifecycle can help you distinguish normal shedding from problematic hair loss. Each hair follicle on your scalp cycles independently through three distinct phases.
The Three Phases of Hair Growth
Phase 1: Anagen (Growth Phase)
Duration: 2-7 years
What happens: Hair actively grows from the follicle at approximately 0.5 inches per month (6 inches per year)
During anagen:
- Cells in the hair bulb divide rapidly
- The hair shaft is pushed up through the follicle
- Melanocytes (pigment cells) add color to the hair
- Blood supply nourishes the growing follicle
Key fact: At any given time, approximately 85-90% of your hair follicles are in the anagen phase1.
The length of your anagen phase determines your maximum hair length. Some people have longer anagen phases (allowing for waist-length hair), while others have shorter phases (making it difficult to grow hair past the shoulders).
Phase 2: Catagen (Transition Phase)
Duration: 2-3 weeks
What happens: Hair growth stops and the follicle begins to shrink
During catagen:
- Cell division ceases
- The hair follicle shrinks to about 1/6 of its original length
- The hair detaches from blood supply
- A "club hair" forms at the root
Only about 1-2% of hairs are in the catagen phase at any time.
Phase 3: Telogen (Resting Phase)
Duration: 2-3 months
What happens: The hair rests, then falls out to make room for new growth
During telogen:
- The hair is fully formed but no longer growing
- The follicle is dormant
- At the end of telogen, the hair sheds
- A new anagen hair begins growing in the same follicle
Approximately 10-15% of your hair is in the telogen phase at any given time2.
What Normal Shedding Looks Like
The Numbers
The average human head has 80,000-120,000 hair follicles. With 10-15% in the telogen phase at any time, it's completely normal to lose:
- 50-100 hairs per day on average
- More on wash days (hair that was ready to shed gets dislodged)
- Slightly more during seasonal changes (especially fall)
Where You'll See It
Normal shedding typically appears:
- In your hairbrush or comb
- In the shower drain
- On your pillow
- On clothing
- Throughout the day during normal activities
What Normal Shedding Looks Like
Normally shed hairs typically have:
- A small white bulb at the root (the club hair)
- Full length strands
- Consistent appearance day to day
When Shedding Becomes Excessive
Telogen Effluvium
When a significant stressor pushes more follicles into the telogen phase simultaneously, you'll experience excessive shedding 2-3 months later. This is called telogen effluvium.
Common triggers:
- Major surgery or illness
- High fever
- Severe infection (including COVID-19)
- Childbirth (postpartum)
- Significant weight loss
- Extreme stress
- Starting or stopping medications
- Crash diets
- Thyroid disorders
Research in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology found that telogen effluvium can cause shedding of 200-300+ hairs daily3.
Signs of Abnormal Shedding
Seek evaluation if you notice:
- More hair in your brush than usual
- Noticeably thinner ponytail
- Visible scalp where it wasn't visible before
- Clumps of hair coming out
- Shedding that continues beyond 6 months
- Hair loss with other symptoms
What Disrupts the Hair Cycle?
Hormonal Changes
Hormones directly regulate the hair cycle:
- Estrogen extends the anagen phase
- Androgens can shrink follicles (in genetically susceptible individuals)
- Thyroid hormones regulate metabolism in follicles
- Cortisol can push hairs into telogen prematurely
Nutritional Factors
Hair follicles have high metabolic demands. Deficiencies can shorten anagen and accelerate telogen:
- Iron: Essential for oxygen delivery to follicles4
- Vitamin D: Regulates the hair cycle through follicle receptors
- Biotin: Supports keratin production
- Zinc: Required for hair tissue growth and repair
- Protein: Hair is made of protein (keratin)
Inflammation
Chronic inflammation can disrupt follicle function:
- Scalp conditions (seborrheic dermatitis, psoriasis)
- Systemic inflammation
- Autoimmune responses
Physical Damage
Damage to the follicle or shaft can cause premature shedding:
- Tight hairstyles (traction alopecia)
- Heat styling
- Chemical treatments
- Aggressive brushing
How to Support Healthy Hair Cycling
Nutrition
Ensure adequate intake of hair-supporting nutrients:
- Protein: 0.8-1g per pound of body weight
- Iron: Especially important for menstruating women
- Vitamin D: 2000-4000 IU daily (or as recommended by your provider)
- Biotin: 30-100 mcg daily (higher doses for therapeutic use)
- Omega-3 fatty acids: Support scalp health
Lifestyle
- Manage stress: Chronic stress shortens the anagen phase
- Sleep adequately: Hair growth peaks during sleep
- Exercise regularly: Improves circulation to the scalp
- Avoid extreme diets: Crash dieting triggers telogen effluvium
Hair Care
- Use gentle shampoos
- Avoid excessive heat styling
- Don't pull hair into tight styles daily
- Pat hair dry instead of rubbing
- Use a wide-tooth comb on wet hair
Medical Support
If you're experiencing concerning hair changes, clinically-studied treatments can help support the hair growth cycle:
- Minoxidil prolongs the anagen phase and may enlarge miniaturized follicles
- Nutritional supplements address deficiencies
- Hormonal treatments can address underlying imbalances
Learn about Lush Lox, our formula for women that combines oral minoxidil with biotin, vitamin D3, and vitamin K2 to support healthy hair cycling.
The Recovery Timeline
If you're experiencing telogen effluvium, here's what to expect:
Months 1-3: Continued shedding as affected hairs complete the telogen phase
Months 3-6: Shedding gradually decreases as follicles return to anagen
Months 6-12: New hair growth becomes visible, though hairs will be short initially
12+ months: Significant improvement in hair density as new hairs grow in length
Important: Full recovery can take 12-18 months because hair grows slowly (about 6 inches per year).
When to Seek Help
While some shedding is normal, these signs warrant professional evaluation:
- Shedding exceeds 100+ hairs daily for extended periods
- You notice visible scalp or widening part
- Hair loss is patchy or localized
- Shedding is accompanied by other symptoms
- No improvement after 6 months
Early intervention typically leads to better outcomes.
The Bottom Line
Hair shedding is a normal part of the hair renewal process. Understanding the growth cycle helps you recognize when shedding crosses from normal to concerning—and know when to seek support.
Explore our hair restoration options
References:
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult with a healthcare provider for personalized recommendations. Compounded medications are not FDA-approved finished drug products.