As a hair wellness spa, we have dealt with our fair share of hair loss and shedding. Hair shedding is normal and part of the hair growth cycle.
But when you see wads of hair in a brush, or they are blocking your drain, then it is a cause of concern. You may be looking at that hair and wondering if you are experiencing hair loss compared to your regular hair shedding.
So, they differ regarding hair loss vs hair shedding regarding scalp conditions.
Hair Loss vs Hair Shedding: What is The Difference?
While losing hair is common in hair loss and shedding, there is a difference. Let’s look at each one.
What is Hair Loss?
When you lose hair, your strands stop participating in the growth life cycle and will fall off your scalp without reactivating the anagen or growth phase.
If that hair follicle is no longer active and is not replaced by new hair, you know you have lost hair. As a hair and scalp spa, we have many clients who have lost their hair for many reasons.
These include severe diets, cancer, radiotherapy, or wearing too-tight bun or ponytails for a long time. Sometimes, it can happen with menopause and permanent, but in other cases, you can find a treatment for hair loss to help.
Still, if you notice hair loss, we recommend taking note of any drastic lifestyle changes.
What is Hair Shedding?
When your hair sheds, it is a regular occurrence and normal. A fact is that you can shed about 150 strands daily, and it reflects the start of a new hair growth cycle. Your hair goes through four stages during its lifespan:
- Anagen – Growth
- Catagen – Transition
- Telogen – Rest
- Exogen – Shedding
Hair shedding will make space for your new growth, but when a handful of your hair leaves, it will make place for others to grow, and the process can take up to five months.
Hair Shedding vs Hair Loss Comparison Table
| Hair Loss | Hair Shedding |
| Hair loss you find triggered by some internal or external factor like your diet or stress | It is temporary and expected from time to time |
| It has a lasting effect but is not impossible to treat | Plenty of treatments for hair thinning are available |
| Can result from alopecia areata, among others, leaving a hair patch | Life events and seasonal factors can increase hair shedding. |
Both hair loss and shedding can be treated, but you must first address the root of the problem. Hormonal changes in the body can lead to excessive shedding.
Still, hair shedding can be temporary, and your hair can find a balance again. Alopecia areata is an auto-immune disease affecting your immune system; you can get professional treatments to combat it.
When We Recommend Seeking Professional Help
When our clients visit us for the best hair growth treatment, and we find that they have consistent or prolonged shedding, we advise them to get professional help.
Excessive shedding is also known as telogen effluvium, and you find it accompanied by visible thinning hair. It is not shedding but hair loss. See a dermatologist if your hair appears thinner over a long time, remains excessive, and your scalp is sensitive to touch. Learn more about sensitive scalps here.
Still, if you suspect dietary changes cause the shedding, we recommend consulting an endocrinologist. Or you can take a trip to your doctor to provide a plan of action. Still, there are ways to take preventative measures by maintaining hair health.
You can visit us for scalp massage therapy or practice it at home by massaging your scalp for four minutes daily. Doing this will help relieve tightness and tension while improving blood circulation and decreasing hair loss.
When our clients visit us for a hair-thinning treatment, we recommend avoiding heavy oils on their scalps and using a scalp serum instead. Applying heavy oils can clog the hair follicles and hinder hair growth. Also, limit your washing, as washing your hair day-to-day can lead to dryness and scalp irritation.
Wrap-Up: Hair Loss vs Hair Shedding
If you are experiencing excessive hair loss that is causing balc patches and are unsure why it is happening, we recommend that you seek professional help.
Hair shedding is normal, and even excessive shedding is temporary. But if a sensitive scalp or hair thinning accompanies it, you can visit us for scalp therapy in Medford, MA.
Our stylists will conduct a hair and scalp consultation and recommend the best way to get your hair cycle back on track.
In the meantime, you can care for your scalp by periodically washing and massaging it to maintain the recommended balance of the hair growth cycle.
FAQ
Is my hair shedding or falling out?
While you might think your hair is coming out often, this can result from a regular hair-shedding cycle. However, if you notice patchiness, bald spots, or clumps of hair falling out, we recommend you visit a dermatologist.
How do you test for hair loss?
When you visit a doctor, they will do a tug test by grasping sections of your hair and holding it with two hands. The one hand will be near the root and the other near the tip. They will tug on the strands to see if they break in the middle to see how brittle your hair is.
Will my shredded hair grow back?
When you shed hair, it is part of your natural growth cycle. Your hair will grow back after three to six months.
