Brushing and Hair Loss: How Much Shedding is Normal?

Hair loss can strike at any age, but it is tricky to diagnose because it can be so subjective. It’s only natural to be concerned if you see more hair on your brush than you’re used to, but without careful observation over time to get a clear overall picture, you may instead be weighing what you saw more recently more heavily. 

Instead of taking drastic action, you should evaluate your hair’s condition over time. In the meantime, a new Spornette brush is all you need.

Why Does Hair Loss Cause you to Shed More Hair on your Brush?

Hair loss in both men and women is caused by follicular miniaturization. Although the patterns in hair loss in males and females tend to differ, the mode of action is the same. As hair follicles become weaker, the hair shaft becomes thinner, finer, and less able to stand up to brush. 

These hairs may even fall out after being touched by your fingers. However, the mere presence of these fine hairs alone does not cause alarm because hair strength is also not uniform across all follicles, even when no hair loss is present.

It’s also perfectly normal for some hair to be on your brush after finishing brushing it, especially if you haven’t brushed or showered for a day or longer. Seeing 50 to 100 hairs on your brush after a fresh brushing is not cause for alarm (after all, you have up to 100,000 on your head at any given time, if not more.) 

What would naturally raise concern, however, is if you’ve noticed a consistent increase in hairs appearing on your pillow, brush, shower, or sink.

How to Track Hair Loss Over Time

The only way to conclusively determine if you have hair loss is to track the state of your hair and its shedding over time. Worrying too much about how your hair looks or how much hair is on your brush on a specific day may lead you to draw incorrect conclusions. 

It’s also important that you clean your brush and start with a fresh slate every day to accurately represent how much hair you may be shedding after brushing. Take daily photos of your brush and your hair in consistent lighting conditions and positioning to see if the state of your hair has changed over the prior weeks or months. 

A dermatologist can also provide further insight as to whether you are experiencing male or female pattern baldness.

How Hair Loss Might Appear in the Mirror

Male and female pattern baldness are the two most common forms of hair loss, but they affect different areas of the scalp in men and women. Male pattern baldness involves a receding hairline at the front, followed by thinning or balding on the top of the head that eventually “meets in the middle.” 

In contrast, female pattern baldness usually begins with thinning around the crown area before spreading to other parts of the scalp in a more diffuse pattern. Normal hormonal changes such as menopause or dihydrotestosterone (DHT) interaction within the body are the most common culprits for hair loss. However, other factors such as poor nutrition and sleep, underweight, or prolonged stress can also cause the condition. (Number one rule: practice good self-care!)

Regardless, the appearance of thin hair alone may not be cause for concern. If the hair has not been properly styled or cared for, it may appear dull, flat, or lifeless, or you may see sections of your scalp despite not experiencing hair loss. 

Also, consider whether updating your brushing or hair care regimen is in order. A Spornette volumizing hair brush such as the Italian Rounder, which has natural boar bristles, creates shiny, frizz-free, and voluminous styles while positively affecting the hair’s overall health. This may be just what you need to restore health to your hair, rather than an expensive or invasive hair loss treatment.

How to Give Thin Hair More Volume

No matter the condition, the goal should be to give your hair as much thickness as possible. Hair products such as volumizing shampoos, conditioners, and styling mousse can help your hair look its best. Also, consider a new style that might be more flattering for thinner hair. 

Blow drying your roots is also an easy, inexpensive way to give your hair extra desired weight. Above all, though, the number one tool in your arsenal is a good brush, and Spornette has you covered no matter what condition your hair is in. 

Feel free to browse our selections or reach out to us if you need any advice.

Save Your Hair Today

When it comes to hair loss, the only way to determine if you are actually experiencing a change is by tracking your hair over time. This can help distinguish between normal shedding and actual thinning due to male or female pattern baldness or other factors such as poor nutrition. 

Fortunately, there are many ways you can give thinning hair more volume without needing an expensive treatment – volumizing products and styling mousse work well for this purpose, while a good brush like Spornette’s will also go a long way in restoring health back into your hair. Considering all these tips, confronting thin hair should be easier than ever.