Is it normal to shed a few vellus hairs if you have a full head of hair?

Question

When I comb my hair after a shower, I shed normal hair but also VERY thin hair (probably vellus hair?). These are max 2 cm long and are very thin, almost not visible. I really wonder whether it's normal to shed these hairs. Other than that, I have a full head of hair and no sign of balding.

Jay Goldstein, MD · Answer

Of course it is normal to shed hair. If we did not shed hair, it would never stop growing. Hair lives 2-6 years and the longer it lives, the longer it grows. There are documented reports of individuals with hair over six feet long. Considering that hair grows about 1/2 " per month or 6" per year, a six foot length of hair must live 12 years. 
The hairs that fall out are in the catagen phase. It takes a few weeks for hairs to die and fall out. The hair detaches slowly from the bulb, the hair shaft falls, and the follicle enters a dormant period.

Jeff Donovan, MD, PhD · Answer

Yes shedding small hairs is normal. As the proportion increases one becomes more concerned. However, shedding a few is normal.

William Rassman, MD (retired) · Answer

hair shedding is present in normal people as we lose and replace every hair on our head over a 2-3 year period of time

Is it normal to shed a few vellus hairs if you have a full head of hair?

Answers (3)

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