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How many hairs do you lose per day? Up to about 100 hairs per day is normal. The American Academy of Dermatology calls 50 to 100 hairs per day simply [1], and Thuisarts.nl even considers 100 to 120 hairs per day as normal [2]. You usually don't notice it, because new hairs grow at the same time. Are you losing significantly more, is your hair visibly thinning or are you suddenly getting bald spots? Then it's time to look further. In this blog you can read how the hair cycle works, which 4 checks can be used to assess whether your hair loss is too much, and when to go to the doctor.
In this article
- How many hairs per day is normal?
- Why do hair fall out every day?
- How do you know if you are losing too much hair? 4 checks
- How long does temporary hair loss last?
- What if it is hereditary hair loss?
- When do you go to the doctor?
- Frequently asked questions
- Sources
How many hairs per day is normal?
There is no exact number that indicates applies to everyone. Sources mention a normal bandwidth of about 50 to 120 hairs per day [1][2]. Health and Science only speaks of abnormal hair loss when more than 100 hairs per day occur, and calls some extra loss in autumn, for example, normal [3]. Also important: if you don't wash your hair for a few days, you will often see a large strand in the hole during the next wash. These are hairs that were already loose and have accumulated.
| Situation | What you see | What you do |
|---|---|---|
| Normal shedding | Up to about 100 hairs per day, hair remains full for a while | Nothing, this is part of the hair cycle |
| Extra shedding (telogen effluvium) | Clearly more hair in the brush, shower and on your pillow, spread over the entire area head | Find the cause with your doctor, hair often grows back on its own |
| Hereditary hair loss | Inlets or thin crown (men), thinner hair at the parting (woman) | Consider treatment, for example minoxidil |
| Bald spots | Suddenly round or oval bald places | To the doctor |
Why does hair fall out every day?
Each hair goes through a fixed cycle: a growth phase, a short transition phase and a resting phase, after which the hair falls out and a new one grows from the same hair follicle [3]. On a healthy scalp, approximately 86% of the hairs are in the growth phase, approximately 1% in the transition phase and approximately 13% in the resting phase [4]. Hairs in the resting phase remain in place for about 3 months before they fall off [5]. Losing hair every day is therefore not a sign of balding, but of a hair cycle that is just doing its job.
A reassuring detail: your hair only really looks thinner when you have lost about 40% of it [5]. So a few days with a few more hairs in your brush doesn't mean much. A trend over weeks says more.
How do you know if you are losing too much hair? 4 checks
Counting hairs is difficult, because you lose them throughout the day. With these 4 checks you will get a reasonable picture. They do not replace an examination by a doctor.
1. Look at the trend, not at a day
Pay attention to your brush, pillow and shower drain for 2 to 3 weeks. Do you always see clearly more than you are used to, even on days when you do not wash your hair? That is a signal to take seriously.
2. When washing, count
Dermatologists sometimes use a standardized washing test: do not wash for 5 days, then wash over a container with a filter cloth and count all fallen hairs. If there are more than 100 hairs in that one wash after 5 days, they think of telogen effluvium, or temporary extra shedding [5]. At home this is less precise, but a clearly higher number than normal is a good reason to discuss it with your doctor.
3. The pulling test
In the pulling test, a doctor grabs a strand of 50 to 60 hairs and gently pulls it. If more than 10% of the hairs are present, the test is positive and there is probably increased shedding [4]. Just after washing the test is less reliable [5]. Never pull your hair hard at home.
4. Look where your hair is thinning
Extra shedding due to stress or fever, for example, can be seen spread over the entire head. Hereditary hair loss follows a pattern: in men, indentations and a thinner crown, in women a wider parting in the middle [2]. Are you unsure about your hairline? Also read inlets: normal or the beginning of baldness.
How long does temporary hair loss last?
Telogen effluvium occurs when many hairs enter the resting phase at the same time. Well-known causes are stress, high fever, surgery, childbirth, significant weight loss, iron deficiency or a thyroid problem [1][3]. The progression usually looks like this:
A period of stress, fever, illness or other major change in your body. Your hair will no longer fall out noticeably.
You clearly see more hair falling out, spread over your entire head [3].
The extra loss usually goes away on its own once the cause has disappeared [3]. If it lasts longer than 6 months, doctors speak of chronic telogen effluvium [5].
Your hair usually regains its old fullness [1].
Read more about this form of hair loss in hair loss due to stress: how long does it last. Important: have the cause investigated, especially if you do not know where the loss comes from.
What if it is hereditary hair loss?
Hereditary hair loss does not go away on its own. About 60% of men eventually become completely or partially bald [3]. For men, minoxidil (lotion or foam on the scalp) and finasteride are the treatments with proven effect, and for women minoxidil is the first choice [3]. Minoxidil works best in men under 40 with limited hair loss. You will see an effect after about 4 months, the maximum effect after about a year. If no new hair grows after 6 months, stop [6]. You may lose a little more hair in the first few weeks. This usually stops after 2 to 6 weeks [6].
Minoxidil 5% with pipette, to discover whether the daily routine suits you.
Because you If you need at least 4 to 6 months to assess whether it works, a supply for several months is often cheaper. If you have a sensitive scalp or find lotion inconvenient, foam is an alternative.
Minoxidil 5% as a foam, dries quickly and does not run.
For women with thinning hair at the parting, a lower strength of 2% is a popular choice start.
Minoxidil 2% for women with hereditary thinning hair.
Pay attention to safety. Do not use minoxidil if you are pregnant [6] and not under the age of 18 [7]. If you have a heart or vascular condition, such as chest pain or a fast or irregular heartbeat, consult your doctor first. Stop and contact a doctor if you experience chest pain, palpitations, dizziness, or fluid retention [6]. Stop and contact a doctor if you experience chest pain, palpitations, dizziness, or fluid retention [7]. Always read the package leaflet. Minoxidil is not intended for sudden or spot hair loss: have it assessed by your doctor first.
When do you go to the doctor?
Thuisarts.nl recommends an appointment if one of these situations suits you [2]:
- You lose a lot more hair than normal.
- Your hair is thinning.
- You suddenly get bald spots.
- You are worried about hair loss.
- You feel insecure, sad or unhappy because of your hair loss.
The GP can investigate whether there is a cause behind it, such as iron deficiency or a thyroid problem, and if necessary have blood drawn or ask a dermatologist for advice [3]. Never stop taking medications on your own that you are taking for something else, even if you think they are causing hair loss. Always consult first [1].
Frequently asked questions
Is losing 200 hairs per day bad?
That is more than the normal range of approximately 50 to 120 hairs per day. This often concerns temporary additional loss after stress, fever or illness, which usually recovers on its own. If it lasts for weeks or your hair is visibly thinning, have it checked by your doctor.
Do women lose more hair per day than men?
The normal bandwidth is the same for men and women. With long hair, any fallen hair is more noticeable, making it appear more. Women can also experience additional shedding after giving birth.
Why do I see so much hair in the shower?
When washing and combing, hairs that were already in the resting phase are released. If you wash less often, you will see more hairs per wash. Therefore, look at the total over several days.
Does lost hair grow back?
With normal and temporary extra loss, yes: the hair follicle produces new hair. With hereditary hair loss, the hair does not grow back on its own. There, a treatment such as minoxidil can help slow the rate or regrow hair, but it does not work for everyone.
Does minoxidil help if I temporarily lose more hair?
Minoxidil is intended for hereditary hair loss. Temporary loss after stress or illness usually recovers spontaneously within a few months. If in doubt, first have the cause diagnosed by your doctor.
Tackling hereditary hair loss?
View minoxidil lotion and foam in 2% and 5%, for men and women.
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This article is general information and does not replace medical advice. Always read the package leaflet and, if in doubt, consult your doctor or pharmacist. Prices are as of October 2026.
Sources
- American Academy of Dermatology, Do you have hair loss or hair shedding? (English)
- Thuisarts.nl (NHG), I have hair loss. What could it be?
- Health and Science, Hair Loss
- Park SH, Seol JE, Kim DH, Kim H. Analysis of Microscopic Examination of Pulled Out Hair in Telogen Effluvium Patients. Annals of Dermatology, 2020 (English)
- Rebora A. Telogen effluvium: a comprehensive review. Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2019 (English)
- Apotheek.nl, Minoxidil on the skin
- Medicine Evaluation Board, Package leaflet minoxidil lotion 2 g/100 ml (RVG 57383)
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