Hair shedding is a normal part of the standard hair growth cycle. On average, we all shed up to 100 hairs a day. But sometimes the shedding may become more excessive. People then tend to confuse it with hair loss. Here we’ll take a look at the main differences between hair loss and hair shedding.
Different Causes
Excessive hair shedding usually occurs after you’ve experienced some physical or mental stress. You may notice it after you’ve given birth, lost a lot of weight, or recovered from a severe case of the flu.
The causes of hair loss are very different. In most cases, it is the result of genetic factors and it can also occur as a side effect of some medication you’re taking. Sometimes your immune system can start attacking the hair follicles. This will result in alopecia, an autoimmune disease that causes hair loss.
Different Symptoms
The symptoms of hair loss and hair shedding also differ.
Stress may cause excessive hair shedding, making your hair may gradually thin out. As a rule, you’ll start noticing this about two months after a particularly stressful event.
On the other hand, hair loss can affect the whole scalp, as well as only certain areas. This is most common in men with male pattern baldness, where the hair falls out in random patches.
Different Treatments
If your hair is thinning out as a result of excessive shedding, there’s usually no need for any type of treatment. As the normal hair growth cycle resumes, your hair will restore its thickness.
But if you’re experiencing hair loss due to an underlying medical condition, you will need to address the cause first. Doing so will help you reduce the symptoms, as well as the resulting hair loss. Even if your hair loss is genetic, there are steps to take to prevent it from progressing.
What You Can Do
If you can’t tell what’s causing your hair problems, the best thing to do is to visit a dermatologist. They’ll be able to pinpoint the culprit and recommend a treatment.
