Track your hair loss
Shedding and hair loss can be slow and stressful. Tracking the rate of loss and potential triggers (stress, diet, medications) provides clarity and objective data for treatment.
Why track this symptom?
- Quantify hair loss cycles across different months.
- Monitor for correlations with new medications or stressful life events.
- Maintain objective records of regrowth progress during treatments.
How Trace helps
Hair loss is a long game. Trace's multi-month history view helps you stay objective and see the overall trend, rather than worrying about the day-to-day fluctuations.
Common causes
The most common cause of hair loss in both men and women is androgenetic alopecia, a hereditary condition driven by sensitivity to dihydrotestosterone (DHT) that causes gradual follicle miniaturization. Telogen effluvium is another frequent culprit, where physical or emotional stress, including illness, surgery, childbirth, or crash dieting, pushes large numbers of hairs into a resting phase simultaneously, leading to noticeable shedding two to three months after the trigger. Nutritional deficiencies, particularly low iron, ferritin, zinc, or biotin, can also disrupt the hair growth cycle. Hormonal shifts from thyroid dysfunction, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), or stopping hormonal contraceptives are other well-established causes.
When to see a doctor
Seek prompt medical attention if you notice rapid, widespread shedding over a few weeks, bald patches that are expanding quickly, or hair loss accompanied by scalp redness, scaling, or scarring. These signs can indicate conditions that may cause permanent follicle damage if left untreated.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I track for hair loss?
Log the pattern (diffuse thinning, patches, hairline recession), approximate amount, any recent stressors, dietary changes, new medications, menstrual cycle changes, and family history. Photograph the same area weekly.
How does tracking hair loss help diagnosis?
The pattern and timeline of hair loss guides diagnosis. Sudden diffuse shedding suggests telogen effluvium from stress. Patchy loss may indicate alopecia areata. Your tracking timeline helps your dermatologist investigate the right cause.
When should I see a doctor about hair loss?
See a doctor if hair loss is sudden, patchy, accompanied by scalp symptoms like itching or pain, or occurring with other symptoms like fatigue or weight changes. The sooner you investigate, the more treatment options are available.
How often should I log my hair loss in a tracking app to get useful data?
Logging daily or every few days gives you the most accurate picture, since shedding naturally varies day to day. Record how much hair you notice on your pillow, in the shower drain, and on your brush each time. Over four to six weeks, patterns become clear, for example, whether shedding spikes after high-stress days or around a specific point in your menstrual cycle.
How can I use my tracked data to have a more productive conversation with my dermatologist?
Bring a summary of your log that highlights your timeline, when shedding started, any peaks, and any life events or medication changes in the weeks before it began. Dermatologists often work backward from the onset date to identify a trigger, so a clear chronological record can significantly shorten the diagnostic process. Sharing weekly photos taken in consistent lighting from the same angle gives your doctor objective visual evidence of progression that a single clinic visit cannot provide.
Read the complete guide: How to Track Hair Loss: A Complete Guide →