Hair Loss: How Much Hair Is ‘Normal’ to Lose?

It's completely natural to experience some hair shedding as part of your hair's life cycle. But how much hair loss is too much? Understanding what's typical and what might be a sign of an underlying issue can help you better manage your hair health and overall well-being.

The Hair Growth Cycle

Your hair goes through a cycle that consists of three phases:

1. Anagen (the growth phase): this phase lasts several years, during which hair actively grows
2. Catagen (the transition phase): a very short phase lasting only a few weeks where hair stops growing and detaches from the follicle
3. Telogen (the resting phase, leading to shedding): lasting about 3-4 months, hair remains in place before eventually shedding to make room for new growth (1)

On average, it's normal to lose around 100-150 hairs per day, depending on factors like age, hair type, and lifestyle. However, excessive shedding could be a sign of stress, hormonal imbalances, nutritional deficiencies, or underlying health conditions (1). When the body lacks the key building blocks your hair relies on or experiences imbalances, it can lead to hair thinning, slow growth, and even hair loss. Achieving healthy hair goes beyond your external hair care—and while it's important to maintain a healthy scalp, it’s equally necessary to provide your body with the right nutrients to support optimal hair growth.

Factors Contributing to Hair Loss

There are several factors that can contribute to excessive hair shedding (1), including but limited to:

• Stress: High stress levels can disrupt the hair cycle, pushing more strands into the shedding phase
• Nutritional deficiencies: Lack of key vitamins and minerals can weaken hair structure and contribute to hair thinning
• Hormonal changes: Pregnancy, menopause, and thyroid imbalances can impact hair growth
• Medical conditions: Conditions such as alopecia and other autoimmune diseases can contribute to hair loss
• Hairstyling practices: Excessive heat, and harsh treatments can lead to breakage and thinning

These factors can influence the hair growth cycle and potentially lead to increased hair shedding or thinning.

Nutrients That Support Hair Health

To promote healthy hair growth and minimise excessive shedding, it's essential to nourish your hair from within. Some key nutrients that support hair health include:

• Biota: Traditionally used in Chinese medicine to promote hair growth and reduce hair thinning (2)
• Pea Sprout Extract (AnaGain™ Nu): Clinically proven to support visual hair density and reduce hair loss by stimulating key hair growth-related genes–Pea sprout extract helps to prolong the anagen phase and reduce the proportion of hair in the telogen phase, which results in less daily hair fall (3)
• Biotin: Maintains hair health by supporting keratin production, essential for hair strength (4)
• Zinc: Plays a role in hair follicle function and helps reduce hair thinning (5)
• Iodine: Supports healthy thyroid hormones, which are crucial for hair growth regulation (6)

Our VitableLabs Hair Growth Supplement is expertly formulated with these science-backed ingredients to provide comprehensive support for thinning hair and encourage healthy growth from within. This all-rounder blend works to promote a healthy stress response, support balanced thyroid hormones, boost body metabolism, and nurture female reproductive health. By combining traditional wisdom with modern science, our formula is designed to fit seamlessly into your daily routine, offering targeted support for your hair health needs.

When to Seek Support

If you’re noticing more hair loss than usual, it’s important to take action. Seeking advice from a healthcare professional can help identify potential causes, such as hormonal imbalances, nutrient deficiencies, or medical conditions that may require attention.

How to Maintain Healthy Hair

In addition to taking targeted supplements, here are some tips to support healthy hair growth:

• Ensure adequate intake of protein, amino acids, and healthy fats, which are essential for hair structure and growth
• Drink plenty of water to maintain scalp hydration and prevent dryness
• Use gentle hair care products that nourish rather than strip your hair
• Engage in stress-reducing activities such as meditation, exercise, and mindfulness to minimise the impact of cortisol on hair health

Losing some hair every day is normal, but understanding when it's excessive can help you take proactive steps to support your hair health. With a comprehensive approach that includes proper nutrition, a healthy lifestyle, and targeted supplementation when needed, you can support strong, healthy hair from within.

References

1. Natarelli N, Gahoonia N, Sivamani RK. Integrative and Mechanistic Approach to the Hair Growth Cycle and Hair Loss. J Clin Med. 2023 Jan 23;12(3):893. doi: 10.3390/jcm12030893. PMID: 36769541; PMCID: PMC9917549.
   
   
2. Zhang, Nn., Park, D.K. & Park, HJ. Hair growth-promoting activity of hot water extract of Thuja orientalis . BMC Complement Altern Med 13, 9 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1186/1472-6882-13-9
   
   
3. Grothe, T., Wandrey, F., & Schuerch, C. (2020). Short communication: Clinical evaluation of pea sprout extract in the treatment of hair loss. Phytotherapy research : PTR, 34(2), 428–431. https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.6528
   
   
4. Office of Dietary Supplements. (2017, December 8). Biotin - Health Professional Fact Sheet. National Institutes of Health. Retrieved January 24, 2025, from https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Biotin-HealthProfessional/
   
   
5. Almohanna, HM., Ahmed, AA., Tsatalis, JP. Tosti, A. 2019. “The Role of Vitamins and Minerals in Hair Loss: A Review”. Dermatology and Therapy, 9. 1 (Mar): 51-70. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6380979/#
   
   
6. Hussein RS, Atia T, Bin Dayel S. Impact of Thyroid Dysfunction on Hair Disorders. Cureus. 2023 Aug 10;15(8):e43266. doi: 10.7759/cureus.43266. PMID: 37692605; PMCID: PMC10492440.