Hair Loss: Everything You Need to Know Before You Start to Panic

Picture this: You're in the shower (where you may or may not be singing "Bad Blood") when you see several strands of hair floating alongside your feet. As each hair circles the drain, you see another year of life flash before your eyes. Is this it? Are you going bald?
Let's not be so dramatic—you need to lose some to gain some. So, when—or should—you worry about hair loss? Let's get down to the root of the issue with the help of Cleveland Clinic's Dr. John Anthony.

Losing hair doesn't mean you're going bald. Although there is a hair growth cycle, all your strands don't go through it at the same time. Each strand will reach the resting stage (telogen) at its own pace—when the hair separates completely from the blood supply, dies from lack of nourishment and then falls out. Typically, we will lose about 100 strands per day, the doctor noted.
Pay attention to the details. You'll often see strands come out in the shower or on your brush. However, major hair loss can be recognized when, "your hair is dramatically shedding (150+ strands a day) or when there is a widening of the part on the scalp," said Dr. Anthony. "Thinning hair is an underlying symptom of pattern hair loss or alopecia."

You can't blame everything on your parents. Genetics play a huge component in hair loss; however, diet and nutrition are factors as well. "Genetic pattern hair loss, where hair thins, is progressive and tends to get worse," said the expert. For women, pattern hair loss progresses in your 20s and 30s. The upshot? Unlike men, we typically don't go completely bald.
"Sometimes, it takes a physical to decide if it's pattern hair loss," Dr. Anthony advised. If there's pain or increasing tenderness, redness to the scalp or other unusual symptoms, it could be an entirely different issue. A hormonal imbalance or health issue could cause temporary hair loss. "Some [hair-loss cases] are even reversible, based off metabolic deficiency. Sometimes, younger [adults] who decide to be on a restrictive diet will see hair loss," he added.

Use your hair styling tools and products with caution. Using your curling iron every day is not going make all your hair fall out. "But if hair is susceptible (if your hair is thinning and you have a history of hair loss in your family), you can have breakage of the hair shaft," he said. "If you keep [damaging] the hair, it doesn't have a chance to get long. Also, tight braids and ponytails, if [a person's hair] is susceptible, stress the roots of the hair." Before you chuck your flat iron, the good doctor noted this only occasionally occurs with those with already fragile hair.
Good thing aerated hair is the next big thing.