We lose 50 to 100 hairs daily. Here’s how to know if you have a more serious issue

Hair loss in both women and men can occur as result of many things: hormonal changes, genetic predisposition and some medical conditions, including stress.

On average, we lose between 50 to 100 hairs a day. This level of shedding is a normal part of our hair’s growth cycle. But, according to the Dermatology Institute of Victoria, “when hair shedding exceeds this range, it may be considered hair loss and could indicate an underlying issue”.

The first step in addressing this concern is getting a diagnosis and treatment plan, either from your GP or a dermatologist. So, is hair loss predetermined? Dermatologist Dr Ritu Gupta says thinning hair, in both men and women, is usually a familial trait, but it “is not as simple as it originating from the mother or father … there are lots of genes involved”.

According to the institute, genetic changes can cause the hair-growth cycle to shorten, leading to finer and shorter hairs, until it ceases entirely. In men, thinning mostly happens at the temples and the crown, while women usually experience it along the parting line.

Temporary hair loss can sometimes occur after periods of stress, illness or hormonal changes, a condition known as telogen effluvium. Alopecia areata is an autoimmune response where the body attacks hair follicles, causing patches of hair to fall out, while traction alopecia results from long-term tension on the hair, such as from having excessively tight ponytails or buns.

As far as treatments go, there are myriad shampoos claiming to help with thinning hair, but do they work? “All shampoos do is work on the hair shaft,” says Gupta. “The hair bulb is rooted deep in the junction of the dermis, so nothing applied to the hair affects the actual hair bulb. Shampoos can improve the appearance of the hair but they do not affect hair growth or hair loss.”

Still, so-called “growth” shampoos have scalp-friendly ingredients that can create a healthier environment for hair to grow. Our top picks for thickening shampoo and conditioner include Routine Wellness Shampoo and Conditioner ($107); Nioxin Scalp + Hair Thickening System 2 ($110), which targets hair breakage and thoroughly cleanses the scalp; and Pureology Hydrate Shampoo and Conditioner ($118), which creates great volume.

The final frontier on the hair-loss journey is a hair transplant and, as Gupta explains, the most important thing is to be referred to a reputable surgeon, who will also provide medication to support the transplant after the procedure.