Hair loss is part of the normal hair cycle. There are three phases of hair growth – anagen, catagen, and telogen phases. To understand normal hair loss, let us look at the stages of hair development.
The anagen phase is the active phase of hair growth in which the cells in the hair roots are actively dividing. Around 90 percent of all hairs are in anagen at any one time. In this phase, the hair grows about half an inch per month and this can last from two to six years. The catagen phase is a period of transition that lasts for around a couple of weeks. Here, there is no hair growth and the hair follicle shrinks, this change is called clubbing. The last stage is the telogen phase which lasts for five to six weeks. Around 10 to 15 percent of hairs are in this stage at any given time. At this point, old hair is shed to make way for a new one and the hair growth cycle starts all over again.
The telogen phase is when normal hair loss happens. This accounts for the average shedding of 50 to 100 hairs per day. As old hair falls off, new hair grows in its place and the anagen phase begins.
Hair loss that is more than 150 strands per day can be considered abnormal shedding. It can be due to a variety of causes including genetics, stress, vitamin deficiencies, certain medications, scalp infections, or mechanical trauma.
Normal hair loss also depends on every individual. It can also increase with age and can depend on genetics. If you think you might be experiencing excessive hair fall, then the cause must be identified and addressed properly. Otherwise, you can have noticeable hair thinning which can eventually lead to baldness if not managed accordingly.