Serious hair loss, on the other hand, happens when more hairs fall out than grow in, says Dr. McMichael, who specializes in hair and scalp diseases. Outside of genetics, this can be caused by stress, illness, tight ponytails and other hairstyles that cause traction, nutritional deficiencies, autoimmune conditions, thyroid issues, and other medical conditions, says Dhaval Bhanusali, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Skin Medicinals and Hairstim Labs.

But how can you tell the difference between normal shedding and serious hair loss? While all experts agree that it is best to ask your dermatologist, there are a few things that you can keep in mind to help you gauge where you fall on the hair loss spectrum. Identifying your normal hair shedding rate is the first step—and there are a few places you should look to do so.

Related: These Are the 7 Most Effective Hair Loss Treatments, According to Dermatologists and Trichologists

The average number of strands that you should expect to lose each day depends on how thick and long your hair is, says Dr. McMichael. But if you’re looking for a range, she says it is generally normal to lose anywhere between 50 to 100 hairs per day.

There is a discrepancy in this hard-and-firm amount, due to the difference in length of each person’s hair growth phase, says board-certified trichologist David Kingsley, FWTS, of the World Trichology Society. For this reason, he recommends not getting too hung up on the numbers: Hair loss amounts in this so-called-average range can still be considered excessive hair shedding if it’s abnormal to you.

“For instance, if you count your hair over a few weeks and notice that about an average of 90 hairs fall out, you might decide that this is okay, because it fits nicely in the ‘normal’ range,” he explains. “However, if you were only losing 45 hairs per day [at one point], 90 is twice your normal average. This could mean that you have excessive hair loss.” The takeaway? Compare your own hair fall with your history—not with someone else’s, says Kingsley.

There are a few instances when we notice hair shedding most, the first being when we brush our hair. The more often you brush (and shampoo) your hair, the less strands you should see fall out each time, says Kingsley. So, if you lose 45 strands per day on average, but also brush every day, you should see a smaller, consistent number in the bristles; you’ll see the bulk of normal shedding in the shower.

If you brush your hair less often, like a few times a week, you can expect to see an uptick of hair shedding, since strands will accumulate from not being brushed everyday. Ultimately, how much you see in your brush is dependent on your daily habits.

The next place we notice hair shedding is in the shower, post-shampoo. What’s considered a normal amount depends on how much hair you have to begin with. Those with shorter and thinner hair tend to shed less than those with thick, long hair, explains Dr. McMichael.

The range of how much hair you lose when washing it varies. The less you shampoo, the more hair you’re going to see shed when you do, says Kingsley, who explains that 75 to 80% of the hair you lose during the day comes away when you shower. Ultimately, tracking a pattern of hair loss that deviates from your baseline, as opposed to monitoring a numerical amount, is a better indicator of a problem, notes Dr. McMichael.

Again, this is dependent on the person. It’s common for a person to lose five to eight strands when they run their hands through their hair, says Dr. McMichael—but you still have to take certain factors into account, such as hair type and texture, products, and stress levels. “Every person is unique,” she says.

The normal amount of hair you lose daily shouldn’t change rapidly—and it’s important to differentiate between running your hands through your hair and pulling on your strands, notes Kingsley. The latter doesn’t accurately indicate whether your hair loss is normal or something to worry about, and Kingsley cautions about using this as a barometer due to its addictive nature. “I find that if a person pulls on his or her hair and does not see any hair the first time, he or she will repeat the action four or five times until hair comes out,” he says. “It is almost as if people want continuous proof that their hair is falling out.”

According to Dr. McMichael, some obvious signs that your hair loss or shedding is abnormal include bald spots and patchiness; losing large clumps of hair and experiencing scalp symptoms, such as irritation and itchiness, should also be cause for concern. Remember that hair loss is not limited to the hair on your head: These symptoms might also apply to your eyebrows, lashes, and face—or anywhere on your body that normally has hair.

Excess hair shedding lasting longer than 2 to 4 weeks requires medical attention, says Kingsley. And if you notice that your ponytail has grown thinner or that you can wrap a band around it more times than you could previously (assuming that the band is not stretched out), seek treatment—this could be another sign of abnormal hair loss.

Whatever you do, all experts advise checking in with your doctor before taking any action. “Every form of hair loss is different and treatment depends on the type of hair loss the individual is dealing with,” says Dr. McMichael. “Healthcare professionals provide treatment guidance based on different factors, such as the amount of hair loss and the location of hair loss. Patients should always speak with their doctor to make treatment decisions.”