Hair on combs, pillows and bathroom floors is disturbing, but it often raises the question: Is this normal shedding or am I losing my hair?
While both seem confusing and alike, they actually are different. One is a natural process; the other signifies an underlying issue that needs to be tended to. Understanding and having clarity about hair shedding vs hair loss is the first way of protecting your hair, easing anxiety, and knowing when to seek help.
Not every hair fall is a cause of concern, but some are. This is best understood by looking at the natural hair cycle. Hair grows in a continuous cycle with distinct phases that include:
When the cycle is balanced, hair loss is normal and is the body’s way of maintaining balance. Daily shedding of hair is part of growth because as an old one falls off, a new one is already available to replace the lost hair. However, hair shedding doesn’t eventually lead to thinning or bald spots since new ones replace them; we don’t even notice it until we do some of these activities, like:
As long as hair continues to grow, daily shedding is considered normal and not a cause for concern.
Hair shedding is a natural process in which hair falls out as part of the growth cycle. At any given time, each hair strand is resting, growing, or preparing to fall out to make way for new hair.Most people shed 50-100 hairs daily, but it doesn’t eventually lead to thinning or bald spots. Shedding can also increase temporarily, maybe due to stress or triggers, and it’s known as telogen effluvium.
These triggers include:
But worry less; regrowth begins when the trigger is addressed. Hair fall is diffuse, and there’s no thinning of hair or patches, which often appear in hair loss; there’s also the presence of baby hair growing.
Image: Pixabay
Hair loss, also identified as ‘alopecia’ in medical terms, refers to a conditions where hair falls out in patches, thins over time, and stops growing altogether; it can be temporary or permanent. This happens when hair follicles are damaged, inflamed, or attacked by the immune system, or when growth is disrupted.
There are five types of alopecia, including:
Hair loss eventually leads to reduced regrowth, so most of the shed hair won’t grow back. This eventually leads to gradual thinning and, over time, a visible change in hair density and scalp coverage. There’s patterned thinning rather than hair falling evenly; the crown is scanty, mostly in women and in men, and there is a receding hairline.
Hair loss happens gradually, often going unnoticed in the early stages. Unlike temporary shedding, where the hair is replaced, hair loss involves a progressive disruption of the hair growth cycle. This eventually leads to reduced regrowth and thinning in various areas. During the early stages, hair shedding seems normal; new hairs grow but are finer, shorter, and weaker. Each growing phase is shorter, and the resting phase is longer.
In the advanced stage, follicles may become inactive and stop producing hair. If the underlying cases are caused by illness or genetics and go untreated, this can lead to long-term hair loss. Understanding this progression is important because early detection and treatment can slow or even reverse the hair loss before the follicle becomes inactive
These signs include:
The following signs are what you should watch out for if you aren’t sure it’s normal shedding
Hair loss is caused by many factors that disrupt the normal hair growth cycle or damage hair follicles. These causes may lead to thinning and a patchy scalp. They include:
Other causes are poor nutrition, chronic stress, and aging.
It’s nice and okay to monitor your hair when signs point to normal shedding, not hair loss
Be patient and check the signs if:
Use this time to focus on good hair treatment, good nutrition, stress management, and avoiding tight hairstyles. If shedding persists, it will be advisable to check in with professionals.
You should seek professional advice if you notice the following:
Image: Pixabay
Hair loss often makes one feel distressed and unhappy because hair is closely tied to identity and beauty. For most people, hair represents femininity, health, youth, and culture.
When hair begins to change, it can:
Hair changes also tend to happen slowly and unpredictably, which creates anxiety. People may constantly check mirrors, photos, or pillows for shed hairs, which eventually leads to emotional distress.
When one’s hair starts to change, it’s common to feel self-conscious and start looking at photos and mirrors to see how bald one has become. However, consistently doing so eventually leads to increased anxiety, making hair loss look worse than it is.
There are a few ways to reduce anxiety.
Being informed allows you to respond with patience rather than panic, observing when appropriate professional aid is needed.
Wrapping up, hair changes are normal and manageable when addressed early. With the right knowledge, it will be possible to maintain healthy hair and mental health.
It is normal to lose 50-100 hairs per day, though this may appear to be higher when you wash your hair. As long as there is no thinning or patches, you are safe.
Hair shedding is normal and occurs across the scalp, with visible regrowth. Hair loss indicates progressive thinning, with widening sections or bald patches and no regrowth.
Of course, stress can cause hair to shed; this is known as telogen effluvium, and it usually occurs 2-3 months after stressful events.
Temporary shedding lasts at least 6-12 weeks, followed by regrowth that takes 2-6 months to complete, and in some cases up to a year.
No, it doesn’t. Normal hair shedding does not cause baldness because the hair follicles are still active and functioning.
If hair loss lasts over 6 months and is accompanied by thinning, a patchy scalp, and the absence of regrowth, seek professional advice.