Everybody sheds. The shedding phase – known officially as ‘exogen’– is the fourth and final stage of the hair growth cycle. But whilst some shedding is normal, knowing the difference between natural shedding and a hair loss challenge that needs attention can be difficult.

Is my hair shedding at a normal rate?

Whilst more noticeable if you have longer locks, hair shedding is completely normal. Whatever their hair length or texture, it’s common for the average person to lose up to 100 strands of hair every day. This figure however is just a drop in the ocean considering there are 100,000 hair follicles covering the human scalp!

Do women shed more hair than men?

There are many factors that may cause you to shed more hair than others. Women generally shed more hair than men for instance. This is mainly down to the styling habits adopted by most women. Frequent colouring, repeated heat styling, and excessive brushing and washing are just some of the haircare rituals that are more common amongst women than men, and these styling practices can cause increased daily shedding.

Hormonal changes, such as those experienced during pregnancy and menopause, are also recognised as a cause of shedding in women.

When should I be concerned about shedding?

It’s important to note that everyone has woken up to a few strands of hair on their pillow or had the unfortunate task of prizing a bundle of their locks from the plug of their bathtub or shower. But, when should the amount of lost hair you find be a cause for concern?

Many experts recommend using the ‘pull test’ to determine whether you should be worried about hair shedding. This simple hair evaluation method is used by dermatologists to diagnose hair loss issues that go beyond normal shedding.

With this guidance from Lifehacker, you can conduct a pull test at home to identify whether you need to take action to reduce hair loss:

“For a simple at-home test, Dr. James C. Marotta suggests you take about 60 hairs between your fingers and pull a little bit as you run your fingers through your hair. It’s normal to see five to eight hairs in your hand. If you have 15 to 20 hairs, though, you could be losing more hair than normal.”

Even periods of excessive hair shedding, like those triggered by stress-induced telogen effluvium, resolve themselves with time. In most cases, excessive shedding will stop and normal hair growth will resume in around 6 to 9 months after the stressful event has occurred.

How can I tell the difference between shedding and hair loss?

Alongside the results of your pull test, there are several tell-tale signs that indicate if your hair shedding is in fact a hair loss issue.

If excessive hair shedding has been a gradual thing, you may be experiencing the early signs of male or female pattern baldness. A sudden case of excess shedding, particularly if you’ve endured significant trauma a few months before, is likely to be stress-related shedding.

Thinness and gradual balding, particularly on the crown of the head or along the hairline is connected to hair loss conditions. Whilst hair lost in clumps may be a sign of temporary hair loss or shedding.

People who recently started taking new medication, or have been experimenting with hair colouring or tighter hairstyles may also experience excess shedding.

As well as noting these tell-tale signs, taking a closer look at the condition of your scalp can help to identify and resolve excess hair shedding. Inflammation, irritation and poor hygiene can cause scalp health issues that make excessive hair shedding a more common occurrence.

If you’re currently experiencing hair loss or excessive hair shedding, taking care of yourself should be a priority during this difficult time. Read our essential guide to looking after you during your hair loss journey for more top tips.