No Visible Hair Loss, But I Can See My Scalp When My Hair Is Wet

Dear Doctor Rassman,

I am a 25 year old male. I have a Norwood 1, so no thinning at the crown or at the temples. My hairline is about the same as when i was 17. My hairdresser always tells me I have very thick hair (she even thins it out sometimes) I lose about ten hairs a day when brushing and in the shower. My father and grandfather mothers side are not bald and neither are my other male family members.

You might wonder, why is he writing?

I’m really curious. When my long (well medium length) brown hair gets wet, I can see some skin. No bald spots, but dependent on the way the hair falls, I can see my scalp. Well, not eveywhere, but small lines.

How is this posible? (couldn’t find the answer anywhere on the internet)

(I have light skin btw)

Thanks in advance for your answer.

P.S.Great site, interesting and helpfull :)

This type of question has been addressed here before. Thinning differs in people. Those with coarse hair can lose more hair than those with fine hair and not show thinning. Those who have miniaturized hairs will show thinner and thinner as the miniaturization increases. The loss of 10 hairs per day only reflects about 10% of what a typical person loses throughout the day. Most people see more hair loss in the shower, because they can not see what blows away on a windy day — but just because they do not see it, does not mean that it does not happen. We lose some of the 100 or so hairs on a 24 hour basis. Everyone can see their scalp, unless the skin is dark and the hair is dark as well, has a high density, or it mats together with a good, tight afro.