Whether you are experiencing a period of hair shedding or currently going through the process of hair loss, it can be extremely stressful. The first thing to do is seek medical or professional advice if you are unsure what may be causing your type of hair loss – a licensed professional will be best placed to help you find the right solution.
If you have recently experienced more hair shedding than usual and would like some clarity on what may be causing this, please read on as we’re exploring the differences between hair shedding vs hair loss and how to tell the two apart.
The Hair Growth Cycle
The hair growth cycle is the key information to determine whether you are experiencing hair shedding vs hair loss. The cycle is split into three stages: anagen, catagen and telogen – or, more simply, growth, transition and shedding.
A normal hair loss cycle allows for as much as 100 hairs per day. If you are experiencing more than that, you might be concerned that it is significant hair loss. Hair sheds at the very end of the cycle, the telogen phase, to then be replaced with new hair, and the cycle starts again.
At any one time, around 90% of your hair follicles will be in the anagen (growth) stage, with just 9% in the telogen (shedding) stage. What this means is that, typically, you will have around ten hairs growing for everyone you shed, so it is usually not noticeable.
Managing Hair Shedding vs Hair Loss
When experiencing hair shedding and hair loss, it’s important to avoid causing the hair any trauma – this means you should try to avoid heat styling, bleaching and dyeing your hair.
Wigs are a fantastic resource if you are experiencing hair shedding or hair loss, as they can disguise any thin or bald patches and protect your natural hair from styling and the elements. They can also help if you feel less confident due to hair loss!
What Is Hair Shedding?
Hair shedding refers to telogen effluvium, wherein the proportion of hairs in the shedding phase increases to 30% or more. As a result, you might notice hair thinning.
Hair shedding typically occurs when the body has undergone some form of stress and can usually be noticed around three months after the trigger event. Once the trigger or stressor has been removed, the growth cycle should pick back up, and the hair will regrow
What Causes Excessive Hair Shedding?
Excess hair shedding can have a variety of causes, including concentrated periods of stress, weight loss or as a repercussion from a recent illness. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, excessive hair shedding is common in people who have experienced any of the following:
1. 20lbs or more loss in body weight
2. Giving birth
3. Experiencing intense periods of stress
4. Undergoing an operation
5. Recovering from an illness – particularly if a high fever was experienced
The excessive shedding should then stop when your body readjusts from the initial stressor or cause of shedding.
What Is Hair Loss?
Hair loss, also known as anagen effluvium, occurs when the hair has stopped growing completely. The causes of hair loss, other than stress, do differ from that of hair shedding, including hereditary hair loss, immune system deficiencies, over-styling and chemotherapy. If you begin to notice patches on your head with noticeably thinner hair than normal, or if you have bald spots, you are more likely to be experiencing hair loss than excessive hair shedding.
While there is currently no available treatment to stop or prevent these types of hair loss, there is some evidence to suggest that anagen effluvium caused by chemo can be managed. Like telogen effluvium, hair loss will be reversible in most cases and should begin to regrow when the treatment is stopped.
Whether you’re struggling with hair shedding vs hair loss, knowing how to accept and cope with hair loss is important to help you overcome the condition. Our friendly and professional team is on hand if you require any information or advice regarding headwear for hair loss; please get in touch today with any queries. For a closer look at the many different hair loss types, please see our comprehensive guide to hair loss.
I started loosing my thick black hair when l was 50 l am now 78.1 have lost all the hair on the front of my head…My head and the rest of my body itches non stop.l.have tried to find out the course but have not found it .I am now going to try a wig as l am so embarrassed
I am seventy eight years old and over the last year my hair has got very thin. Five years ago I was having problems with passing out and eventually was air lifted through to Glasgow and had a pacemaker fitted. Within a couple of weeks I was back working . Then two years ago I had a stroke and I was very lucky recovered quite quickly and now I am on Clopidogrel and a Statin Atorvastatin. Just before Christmas I fell outside our front door and broke my hip. I don’t think that could make my hair fall out but it has become even thinner. I would not have thought that could have anything to do with this getting worse but it has. I have tried all sorts of shampoos that claim to make my hair thicker! Worth a try but no good. I don’t see the point of going to the doctor I am sure I will just be told ‘ What do you expect at your age!’ My cousin has lovely thick hair and she is only about four years younger than me.
My hair started to shed for no reason have recently had covid and lost weight 1stone my hair has always been very thick but this has started out of the blue will it last or will it resolve itself
I’m 18 years old and i’ve been losing so much hair for about 2-3 months already. Seeing so much hair on the floor, bathroom and even on my bed is really depressing. My hair is so thin compare before where i had so thick and healthy hair. I can’t figure it out if what is the reason behind it. I was diagnosed with right ovarian cyst and had to take althea pill to regulate my menses. But after taking it for 4 months i stop and when i stop taking it that’s the time i started to lose so much hair . I have still some issues on my stomach that hasn’t go away. What should i do?
Was effected by jaundice in March of 2020. Recovered in a month and lost a lot of weight coz of it. Now in Feb 2021 I started losing my hair suddenly. I would sleep and see 10 to 12 hair on my pillow. As my house floor is white many hair would be visible on the floor. When I slightly plug my hair 4 to 5 will come out. Losing many hair in the bath. My scalp becoming visible. I am also losing hair on my eyebrows . Its been 2 months when the shedding started. No one in my mother’s or fathers family is bald. Can this be telogen effluvium?
Same problem here my bro
I’m a 22 years male. Recently about 6 months ago I shaved my head off. And now my hair has grown back. For the past one month I noticed excessive hairfall. Whenever I take a shower. My hair will come out on my hands. When I come out of shower and comb them I see hair falling on my shoulder about 2 to 3 hairs. And they come off when I do wudu and cross my hands gently over my head. Still I get 2 to 4 hairs on my hands. I having some stomach issue like excessive bloating and Constipation. And I’m even fasting for a month. Please guide me what should I do?
I have been losing my hair the last few years l have had a very stressful 4yrs my ex husband that l was still good friends with had a massive heart attack & 15min oxygen starvation to the brain he was breathing but nothing more l was the only person he knew his recent wife our daughters his sisters no one. I went to see him every week. Thank god his died 4yrs ago
I had very big surgery 3yrs ago lost, 3″stone have put I back on which I can’t lose I have no go in me feel the cold badly sleep not to good l need to use hair peices or wigs. You can see my scalp. I am 67 still work in hospitality industry which I enjoy but my hair lose us getting me down l always had good hair. I haven’t seen gp I am asthmatic & have osteoporosis.. I have tried various hair treatments also laser comb. I think l can resien my self to just losing my hair & just accept it’s part of life.