Hair Loss vs. Hair Shedding: How to Spot the Difference

Hair Loss vs. Hair Shedding: How to Spot the Difference

Table of Contents

---

I. What is Hair Loss?

II. Causes of Hair Loss

III. Signs of Hair Loss

IV. Hair Loss Treatments

V. What is Hair Shedding?

VI. Hair Loss vs. Hair Shedding: Which One Are You Experiencing?

---

Have you been waking up to more hairs on your pillow than usual? Seeing more strands in your hairbrush or shower drain? If so, you might be concerned that you're experiencing hair loss. But take a deep breath - what you're seeing may just be normal hair shedding, not permanent hair loss.

In this article, we'll break down the differences between these two common hair issues. You'll learn to spot the signs of regular shedding versus something more problematic. We'll also cover treatments that can help with hair loss.

What is Hair Loss?

Hair loss, known medically as alopecia, is characterized by a disruption in the natural hair growth cycle. While hair loss can manifest anywhere on the body, it most frequently affects the scalp. ¹

On average, we shed around 50 to 100 hairs from the scalp daily. However, if you notice an excessive amount of hair falling out – whether it's accumulating in brushes, clothing, or clogging drains – it could be a sign of a more serious issue. Look out for telltale signs like overall thinning of your hair, a widening part, changes in your hairline, or the sudden appearance of bald patches. ¹

These visible changes can be distressing, but understanding the underlying causes of hair loss is crucial in managing the condition effectively.

Causes of Hair Loss

There are many possible reasons why your hair may be thinning or falling out. Knowing the underlying cause of your hair loss can determine if your hair will regrow on its own or if treatment is needed.

• Genetics: For many people, genetics plays a role. Inherited male or female pattern baldness, known as androgenetic alopecia, is the most common cause of hair loss. While this process can kick in as early as the teenage years, it often manifests later in life. The good news is that treatment can stop further loss and may stimulate some hair regrowth, especially if started early.

• Age: As we age, our hair naturally thins as hair follicles slow and eventually stop producing new hairs. For some, early treatment may help regrow hair or at least prevent further loss.

• Childbirth: New mothers often experience excessive shedding after pregnancy due to changing hormone levels. This type of hair loss is usually temporary, and natural hair growth will return within a year after delivery. If hair does not return to its normal fullness after a year, it’s best to consult a dermatologist.

• Hair treatments: Harsh hair treatments like coloring, perming, or relaxing can potentially damage hair follicles over time and lead to permanent loss. Damaged follicles cannot grow new hair. The more damage, the more bald spots that may develop. ²

Signs of Hair Loss

The signs of thinning hair can be subtle, so hair loss may have been happening for months or even years before you start to notice the difference. ³ Many people experience common signs of hair loss like:

• Your hair becomes thinner and thinner over time
• A bald spot that grows gradually
• A receding hairline that becomes more pronounced over time
• A widening part
• A thinner ponytail ³

While a decrease in hair volume is a primary indicator of hair loss, some individuals may experience additional symptoms:

• A burning or stinging sensation before sudden hair loss
• Intense itching, burning, and tenderness in the affected areas
• Scaly, bald patches with sores or blisters
• Redness, swelling, and itchy sores
• Scaly patches of psoriasis on the scalp ³

If you notice any of these symptoms, it may indicate an underlying infection or skin condition contributing to your hair loss. ³ Consult your doctor to identify the cause and get proper treatment.

Hair Loss Treatments

Getting an accurate diagnosis is the first step to effective hair loss treatment. Seeing a board-certified dermatologist can help pinpoint the reason behind your thinning hair. During your appointment, your dermatologist will:

• Ask how long you’ve had hair loss and whether it happened suddenly
• Closely examine your scalp and areas of hair loss for clues
• Perform a gentle hair pull test to assess your hair’s health and growth ⁴

If the dermatologist suspects an underlying condition like a disease, hormone imbalance, or infection, blood tests or a scalp biopsy may be needed.

Once the cause is determined, your dermatologist will recommend a treatment plan to stimulate hair regrowth and prevent further loss. Some treatment options include:

• Minoxidil (Rogaine) is a medication that stimulates hair growth and slows hair loss. It works best when used early in the hair loss process and in combination with other treatments, such as microneedling. Minoxidil can produce visible results in 6 to 12 months. For the benefits to continue, you must use it daily and consistently. ⁴

• Finasteride (Propecia) is a medication that works by decreasing dihydrotestosterone (DHT) levels. Lower DHT leads to hair regrowth and slower hair loss. Finasteride only affects hair growth on the scalp and not the rest of the body. It is used to treat male pattern baldness by regrowing hair at the crown and mid-scalp. Finasteride is for adult men only. ⁵

• At-home laser therapy uses laser caps or combs to stimulate hair follicles and promote growth. While limited research exists, some studies found these devices produced thicker, fuller hair. However, they do not work for everyone. Home laser therapy may be an option for those looking to avoid medications. ⁴

What is Hair Shedding?

Shedding a few strands of hair every day is completely normal. In fact, most people lose between 50 to 100 hairs daily as part of the regular hair growth cycle. However, excessive hair shedding, known as telogen effluvium in medical terms, can occur when the body sheds significantly more hair than usual on a daily basis. ⁶

Excessive hair shedding is common after experiencing stressful events that shock the system, such as:

• Losing more than 20 pounds
• Giving birth
• Experiencing prolonged stress
• Going through illness or surgery
• Stopping birth control pills ⁶

Most people start noticing the increased hair shedding a couple of months after the stressful event. The good news is this type of increased shedding is temporary. Your hair follicles are not being damaged, and normal hair growth will resume after the stress resolves. ⁶

As your body stabilizes, the excessive hair shedding will stop, usually within six to nine months. The hair also tends to regain its normal fullness and volume during this time. However, if the underlying stressor persists, excessive shedding may continue long-term. ⁶

Hair Loss vs. Hair Shedding: Which One Are You Experiencing?

Are you experiencing hair loss or hair shedding? While these terms are often used interchangeably, it's important to understand the difference between the two.

Your scalp has around 100,000 hairs that go through a natural cycle of growing, resting, falling out, and regenerating. ⁷ This cycle consists of three phases:

• The anagen phase is when your hair actively grows for several years.

• The catagen phase lasts around ten days. During this phase, your hair stops growing and separates from the follicle.

• The telogen phase is when your hair follicle rests for a couple of months before the hair falls out. ⁷

Normal hair shedding happens when you're in the telogen phase, and the hair falls out to make room for new hair growth. However, if this cycle gets disrupted or your hair follicles become damaged, you may experience excessive hair loss. The hair loss will continue until the underlying cause is addressed. ⁷

The bottom line? Hair shedding is a temporary condition, while hair loss is usually permanent if left untreated. ⁷ If you're noticing excessive hair fall, it's best to consult your dermatologist to determine if it's normal shedding or hair loss.

Conclusion

Losing hair can be incredibly stressful, and, unfortunately, that stress can actually lead to more hair loss. It’s important to monitor how much hair you shed daily to determine if you’re losing a concerning amount of hair. Losing 50 to 100 strands is no cause for alarm. But, if you notice thinning hair or bald spots from excessive shedding, your hair loss may require medical intervention. Make an appointment with your dermatologist or get an online consultation with ScriptsMD. A hair loss professional can run tests to determine the cause and recommend hair loss treatments.