Have you ever run a brush through your hair and wondered, just how many individual strands are you working with? It’s a question that might pop up during a haircut or while looking at a hairbrush full of strands. The number is far from simple and varies significantly from person to person.
On average, a person has about 100,000 hairs on their head. This number is a general starting point, but your personal count depends on a few key factors, with natural hair color playing a surprisingly large role.
The Role of Hair Color in Your Hair Count
It might seem strange, but your natural hair color is one of the biggest predictors of how many hairs are on your scalp. Blondes tend to have the most hair, averaging around 150,000 strands. Brunettes come in next with roughly 110,000 hairs. Redheads have the least dense population, with an average of about 90,000 hairs. Even though they have fewer strands, red hair is often coarser, which can give the appearance of a full head of hair.
How Hair Density Changes Over a Lifetime
You aren’t born with your final hair count. As a baby, you have all the hair follicles you’ll ever have, but the density changes as your head grows. A newborn’s head is smaller, so the hair is much more densely packed. As you grow into an adult, your scalp expands, spreading the follicles out. Hair density typically peaks in early adulthood and can gradually decrease with age for many people.
Supporting Your Natural Hair Health
While you can’t increase the number of hair follicles you have, you can take steps to protect the hairs you do have. Being gentle is key. Avoid tight hairstyles that pull on the roots, use a heat protectant when styling with hot tools, and try to limit harsh chemical treatments. A balanced diet rich in protein, iron, and vitamins also provides the essential building blocks for strong, healthy hair.
The number of hairs on your head is a unique part of what makes you, you. While the average gives us a fascinating benchmark, your individual count is influenced by your genetics and hair color. By understanding this, we can better appreciate the complexity of our hair and focus on keeping it healthy for years to come.