Hair shedding vs hair loss-understanding hair shedding and how to address it

Hair shedding and hair loss are often misunderstood. It can be difficult at times to know the difference between the two when you’re not fully aware of what they really mean.

Either way, it’s not pleasant to experience shedding or hair loss. But, with the right information on the two, you’re able to understand how to deal with what you’re experiencing.

So, what are some of the differences between the two?

Hair shedding is a natural process that the hair undergoes. Your hair goes through different phases for some time so, your hair sheds and regrows depending on the phases it’s at. You might experience natural shedding or excessive shedding depending on the present factors. When excessive shedding occurs, it is often an indicator of an underlying problem.

It’s common for one to experience excessive shedding when there has been a lot of stress, pregnancy hormones, rapid weight loss, use of certain birth control pills, or a recent illness. These factors can cause hair to undergo the shedding phases too fast and result in this type of breakage. When shedding occurs, part of the hair breaks off temporarily which is one of the main differences between hair loss and hair shedding.

Hair loss, on the other hand, is different from shedding for many reasons. It occurs when hair growth is inhibited for one reason or another.

Some of the indicators of hair loss are, thinning hair, bald spots or patches and receding hairlines. Most of the time, this happens because of hereditary factors, medical conditions, stress and tension from styling. Hair loss often causes severe damage and, sometimes, the damage can be permanent. If the case is hereditary, it’s also hard for the hair loss to be reversed.

How to fix hair shedding and hair loss

Still, there are many remedies for hair loss. There are topical solutions and even surgical solutions to help reverse the damage. You can find natural remedies like onion juice, castor oil and peppermint oil that are known to stimulate new growth. If you want to, you can get a hair transplant to fill in the damaged spots. Otherwise, you can also prevent hair loss by always avoiding tight hairstyles at all costs because they are known to cause hairline stress.

Fixing hair shedding is simpler and there are many remedies. First, you can let your hair be because your body might adjust and have new growth naturally. If you’re sick or recovering from a recent illness, your body is likely to recover from the shedding once you are well. Another effective way to deal with excessive shedding is eliminating stressors like emotional stress and switching to other forms of birth control that don’t affect your hair as much.

It’s also important to see a doctor if you’re experiencing too much shedding and hair loss. Your doctor will be able to eliminate any underlying illness as a cause, point out if there are any dietary reasons for the excessive shedding and prescribe supplements if necessary.

Therefore, if you suspect something may be amiss, seek professional medical help to help you get to the bottom of the problem.