If you’re losing hair, especially from a condition like androgenic alopecia, it’s important to understand how quickly it’s happening.
Knowing the speed of your hair loss can help you pick the right treatments and avoid wasting time on options that might not work—especially if your hair loss is happening quickly.
How Fast Do People Usually Lose Hair?
For men with androgenic alopecia, studies show that hair volume decreases by about 6% per year on average.
“During this time, total hair density decreased by 6.5% after 12 months and by 11.9% after 24 months”
(source)
But remember, 6% is just an average for androgenic alopecia. Some people lose hair much slower, while others lose it much faster. It all depends on the androgen receptors quantity.
Why Does the Speed of Hair Loss Matter?
The faster you lose hair, the more crucial it is to select effective treatments early, as slowing hair loss is easier than regrowing lost hair. For example:
- Slow Hair Loss (2% per year): If an ineffective treatment is used, hair looks nearly the same after a year because only a small amount is lost.
- Fast Hair Loss (15% per year): With the same ineffective treatment, hair appears much thinner within a year, leading to noticeable changes.
That’s why knowing your hair loss speed is crucial, allowing you to take early action if your loss rate is high.
How to Check the Speed of Your Hair Loss
It’s difficult to know your exact rate of hair loss because, unlike clinical studies, you don’t have tools to measure it precisely. Instead, focus on the overall density of your hair by asking yourself this question:
Have you noticed a visible change in your hair density over the past year ? If yes, it may means your hair loss may be faster than average.
Most people only notice thinning after losing at least 20% of their hair density. If you’ve observed a change, it could indicate your hair loss is accelerating.
How to Choose the Right Treatment for Your Hair Loss Speed
If your hair loss is slow, you have the freedom to explore a variety of treatments, including those that might be less proven or considered “not strong enough” for most people. Because your hair changes gradually, even if a treatment isn’t very effective, it’s unlikely to cause noticeable differences in how your hair looks. This gives you the opportunity to experiment and discover what works best for you.
However, if your hair loss is progressing quickly, time is of the essence. In this case, it’s essential to focus on treatments with solid backing from clinical studies. These are more likely to stop the shedding and even encourage regrowth, helping you avoid significant hair loss while saving precious time. Acting early and decisively can make all the difference when hair is thinning rapidly.
Conclusion – How Does Hair Loss Speed Shape Your Treatment Choices?
The speed of your hair loss plays a crucial role in deciding which treatments to pursue. If your hair loss progresses quickly, the stakes are higher. A year spent on an ineffective treatment doesn’t mean losing just a small percentage of your hair—it could mean losing 20% or more, which is often cosmetically noticeable. This means that those experiencing rapid hair loss don’t have the luxury of time to experiment with lesser-supported options.
On the other hand, if your hair loss is slow and subtle, you have more flexibility. You can afford to explore newer, experimental treatments with less robust evidence because the risks of failure are far lower.