Hair Shedding vs. Hair Loss

Any time you see a clump of hair on your bathroom floor, you might instantly panic. But that might not be necessary - your next steps will depend on whether you're experiencing abnormal hair loss or routine hair shedding. If you're wondering what the difference between these two terms is, this article is for you. In it, we'll define hair shedding and hair loss and illuminate the differences between the two. Let's get right into it!

Hair Shedding

Hair shedding is a natural process that occurs when older hairs make room for new ones. The average person loses between 50 and 100 hairs per day as part of the hair growth cycle. When more than 100 strands are shed in a day, you're dealing with excessive hair shedding. 

It is often is often caused by a hormonal imbalance or uncontrolled stress. The condition may also develop due to improper nutrition, illness, or medications like antibiotics or birth control pills. In most cases, however, excessive shedding can be resolved with improved lifestyle habits, such as consuming a healthy diet, exercising regularly, reducing stress levels, and getting proper rest.

Hair Loss

Unlike shedding, which is a natural, normal process, hair loss refers to when the hair stops growing altogether. Another term for hair loss is anagen effluvium. 

Hair loss can stem from many things, including genetic factors (male/female pattern baldness), medical conditions such as alopecia areata (an autoimmune disease), thyroid disorders, iron deficiencies, scalp infections and certain medications.

Treatments for hair loss vary depending on the cause but generally include dietary changes and prescribed medications. In some cases, surgery may also be recommended to restore lost hair follicles or cover up areas of baldness with artificial fibers or transplanted hairs from other parts of the body.

How to Tell the Difference Between Hair Shedding and Hair Loss

If you're still not sure whether your hair is shedding or thinning, there are a few key things to look for. For instance, excessive shedding can be seen when you run your fingers through your hair and notice lots of strands come out at once. On the other hand, if you observe circular bald patches on your scalp and a decrease in overall hair volume, you may be dealing with hair loss.

The bottom line is this: If you're noticing any negative changes in your hair, it's important to do something. Whether you are experiencing excessive shedding or dwindling scalp coverage,the problem could worsen over time. Hair loss tends to be more difficult to treat than hair shedding in most cases, so if hair loss is your issue, we urge you to act sooner rather than later. With the information in this article, you can now make an informed decision about which issue you may be dealing with and take the appropriate steps to restore your hair.

We hope this article has helped you understand the difference between hair shedding and hair loss. Good luck!

Author: Andrea Reyes

Andrea is a mother, wife, writer, and natural hair enthusiast of 15 years. Currently on her natural hair journey, she’s been trying countless products and techniques to understand and embrace her natural hair. She is the creator of NaturallyTextured.com, a new website featuring informative articles that share tips, tricks, and techniques aimed to help others learn to love their hair through proper hair care. She writes with the hope of making hair care easier to understand and implement.