Thom Priano

[Prepping hair backstage at New York Fashion Week]

I don’t have thick hair, and no matter what I do, I’ve never achieved the right hold or volume I desire. I also wonder as I age, what will happen to my strands as the damage sets in of years of product use and processing. Soundsfamiliar? I spoke with Thom Priano, Celebrity Hair Stylist and Hair Loss Expert Dr. Robert Leonard, Founder and Chief Surgeon of Leonard Hair Transplant Associates to get the real deal on hair loss, products, and how to make the best of what you’ve got! As August was Hair Loss Awareness Month, perhaps it’s time to think about not just making your locks look great now, but ensuring they will years from now.

FPD: What is normal hair loss (i.e. when you take a shower and shed your hair) versus the signs of a problem?

Dr. Leonard: Typically we lose between 50 and 100 hairs per day, but a consistent loss of 150 or more hairs is considered significant. People may also mistake damaged hair for hair loss. I ask my patients to run their fingers through their hair. If eight to ten hairs come out with the bulb attached, this may indicate excessive hair loss. It’s important to count the number of strands, NOT the mass of hair. If you have long or thick hair, even two strands can look significant when they’re wadded up.

[Dr. Robert Leonard]