Hair Shedding vs. Hair Loss: What’s the Real Difference?

Hair fall can be a really annoying problem for patients. Not only can it lead to disruption in lifestyle, but serious hair fall issues can also result in mental health concerns due to low self-esteem and confidence. Above all, many people still do not understand the difference between hair shedding and hair loss. While both seem similar, some fundamental differences need to be considered to determine the most suitable treatment options. In this blog, we will explore the difference between hair shedding and hair loss.

Learning the difference between hair loss and hair shedding is important to reduce unnecessary worry and look for professional help without overthinking it. While normal hair shedding happens for a short period, hair loss can be a signal of an underlying medical issue. But what are these issues associated with hair, and how can this affect the individuals? Let’s find out more.

Understanding Hair Shedding

In simple terms, hair shedding is a typical phase of the hair growth cycle. Hair shedding increases in the last stage of the hair growth cycle. However, these phases do not always come in order.

Normal Hair Growth Cycle Stages

Here is the tabular representation of the normal hair growth cycle stages.

Hair Growth Phase	Proportion of Hair Follicles	Duration
The Anagen Phase (Growing)	80-90% of the hair follicles	Around 3-10 years
The Catagen Phase (Transition)	5% of hair follicles	2-3 weeks
The Telogen Phase (Resting)	10-15% of hair follicles	3-4 weeks
The Exogen Phase (Shedding)	50-100 hairs per day	2-5 months

Table 1: Normal Hair Growth Cycle

Looking at this chart, we can state that in the shedding phase, around 50-100 hairs shed per day is considered the safe number of hair shedding. This much shedding will not affect your hair health. If you observe your hair shedding more than this, then you might need medical attention.

Common Triggers of Excess Hair Shedding

There are multiple reasons for hair shedding. Some crucial hair shedding reasons include:

• Stress: If you experience any physical or emotional stress, it will reflect in your hair health. Stress can disrupt the normal hair growth cycle of hair follicles.
• Nutritional deficiencies: Not including essential nutrients, proteins, and vitamins in the diet can result in nutritional deficiencies in the body, which can lead to weak hair follicles.
• Hormonal Changes: Transition in the hormone level, as women face during pregnancy, menopause, or medical conditions like PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome), can result in abnormal hair shedding.

Understanding Hair Loss?

Hair loss, medically known as alopecia, is the disruption in the hair growth cycle, which results in hair strands falling out at an aggressive rate. Due to hair loss, the density in hair decreases, as diffused thinning can be observed throughout the scalp, or it can form bald patches. This hair loss is permanent, as new hair does not grow to replace the hair that has fallen.

Common Reasons for Hair Loss

There are multiple reasons behind hair loss. Here are some common reasons for hair loss:

• Heredity: Hereditary reason is the most commonly found reason for hair loss. Hair loss issues like androgenic alopecia and pattern baldness in both males and females are becoming very common issues.
• Hormonal Changes: Hormonal changes during pregnancy, childbirth, menopause, and thyroid imbalance can cause permanent hair loss.
• Medications: Certain medications or drugs can also lead to hair loss.

Signs That Suggest Hair Loss Instead of Shedding

These signs are different from shedding because, generally, new hair replaces the fallen hair.

• Thinning in the hair density on the top of the head or a receding hairline on the forehead.
• Irregular bald marks
• Loosening of hair, hair falling after combing, or gentle tugging

Key Differences Between Shedding and Hair Loss

Here are the key differences between hair shedding and hair loss.

Factors	Hair Loss	Hair Shedding
Onset	Hair loss starts abruptly, but sets in gradually over a period of months	Hair shedding can start after a trigger, such as stress or hormonal changes. It can be set within a couple of weeks or even 2-3 months.
Duration	Hair loss does not stop until it is properly treated.	Hair shedding typically lasts less than six months, but it can last longer.
Affected Areas	In men, the hairline, temples, and the top of the head are most affected.  In women, the crown and midline are the most affected areas.	Hair shedding occurs across the entirety of the scalp
Progression	Continue until it is treated	Usually, it does not progress after initially setting in

Table 2: Difference Between Hair Loss and Hair Shedding

Diagnosis and Tests Doctors Use

A dermatologist or trichologist can identify whether you are experiencing hair loss or shedding by running an assessment. These are the general phases, which include:

Initial Consultation and Visual Examination

Before starting the diagnosis, the dermatologist or trichologist will discuss with the patients about their diet, their hair care routine, their medical history, and their family history of hair loss. Here, patients need to tell the doctors whether they have a recent change in their lifestyle, including pregnancy, menopause, stress, medical condition, or a sudden drop in weight.

The expert will then look at the scalp of the patient for patterns. If it’s a diffuse thinning, it might be normal shedding, while distinct bald patches may indicate permanent hair loss.

Hair Pull Test

The trichologist can conduct the hair pull test, where they gently pull the hair to see how much hair is actually coming out. If a substantial amount of hair comes out, it may suggest excessive shedding.

Scalp Biopsy and Dermatoscopy

The doctor takes a microscopic sample of the scalp tissue retrieved from hairs plucked from the scalp to inspect whether the hair roots are scarred or inactive. Dermatoscopy or light microscopy can also be conducted by the doctors to examine the follicle openings and the hair bases in case of genetic baldness.

Blood Tests for Underlying Triggers

Certain blood tests reveal underlying health issues that can trigger hair loss or shedding. Blood tests on iron, ferritin, thyroid, vitamin D, zinc, or hormonal imbalances can be performed.

Management & Treatment Options

Treatment options depend on whether you are experiencing temporary shedding or advancing hair loss.

Managing Hair Shedding

How to minimize hair shedding? This is the most common question doctors get when they face patients experiencing aggravated hair shedding. Here are some common ways to manage hair shedding:

• Eating a steady diet: Consumption of a nutrient-rich diet can contribute to healthy hair growth. Eat foods like eggs, leafy greens, fruits rich with vitamin C and antioxidants, and fatty fish like salmon or tuna.
• Get plenty of sleep: Melatonin, the hormone that controls the sleep cycle, has proven to be a stimulator of positive hair growth. Therefore, a steady sleep routine is essential to be maintained.
• Avoiding heat: Stop using heat on your hair. Heating tools like hair straighteners, curling irons, and other hair styling tools should not be used. Furthermore, tight hairstyles should be avoided because these hairstyles can break your hair from the roots.

Treating Hair Loss

There are some effective treatment options available for different types of hair loss. With the help of these treatment options, you can reverse or slow down the hair loss.

Medications: Minoxidil

Over-the-counter medications like Minoxidil come in liquid shampoo form. This can be applied directly to the scalp. Products containing Minoxidil can slow the rate of hair loss or regrow the hair.

Advanced Therapies: PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma)

Hair loss treatment with PRP has become a highly appreciated therapy. When injected, PRP injections can help in growing new hair and make the growth phase of hair longer.

Research shows that PRP has a substantial success rate at increasing hair count and hair shaft diameter among patients with androgenic alopecia. After 3 PRP sessions, hair count can improve 29.2%. A notable increase in hair shaft diameter can also be observed.

To increase growth in hair, PRP is an ideal option and is eventually more effective than medications like Minoxidil. However, it is overall agreed that the effects of a PRP therapy are temporary. Research recommends that patients take PRP sessions again if the problem relapses. It is not clear when a PRP session is needed after the initial treatment.

Overall, PRP in hair (PRP Capillaire) is a better method to reduce permanent hair loss and promote hair growth.

Low-Level Laser Therapies

Laser therapies are also recommended by doctors that can help with better scalp circulation and improve the hair root health.

Wrapping Up

People often confuse hair shedding with hair loss, but shedding is temporary and part of the natural hair growth cycle. On the other hand, hair loss can be progressive and needs medical intervention if aggravated quickly. It is recommended that you do not panic at shedding. Look for patterns of hair loss and consult with your dermatologist at the right time before things get out of hand.

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