Hair loss vs hair thinning: here’s what you need to know.

Posted Wednesday August 26th, 2020

Have you noticed your hair losing its natural volume and not sure why? Or that your ponytail seems to have lost its thickness? Are you experiencing hair thinning or hair loss? While they may seem like the same problem, they are different hair issues and it is important that you know what it is you have in order to treat the problem correctly.

On average, you can expect to lose 50 to 100 strands of hair a day. When you scalp sheds significantly more than 100 strands of hair and for a consistent period of time, this person is deemed to have excessive hair shedding, which is usually triggered by significant weight loss, poor diet, pregnancy and stress just to name a few. If the reason for excessive hair shedding is determined and put to a stop, this problem will resolve itself and the excessive shedding will end, with a head of healthy hair restored to its normal fullness in 6 to 9 months.

Hair loss, also known as anagen effluvium, occurs when something stops the hair and causes for it range from hereditary hair loss, immune system disturbances, hormone imbalances, iron deficiencies, conditions of the scalp, exposure to certain chemical and even reactions to some drug treatments. Hair loss is best treated by a trichologist or a doctor, with blood tests done to help determine the cause of the hair loss, alongside a thorough examination of the scalp and hair.

Hair thinning on the other hand refers to the gradual reduction in the diameter of individual hairs over time. This tends to occur very slowly and is not always accompanied with increased hair shedding. Hair thinning is synonymous with the genetic condition androgenic alopecia, also commonly referred to as male / female pattern hair loss. Instead of producing healthy hairs, your hair follicles now produce thinner, shorter, more brittle hairs with weaker shafts. These hairs are less dense and gives the appearance of hair loss.

What can you do to ensure healthy, thick hair?

Health hair benefits from a healthy diet so what you eat can go a long way in ensuring healthy hair too.

Externally, choosing the right kind of hair care products and treatments can minimise or even halt hair thinning. Look for products that contain hair-boosting ingredient minoxidil that stops hair loss and encourages the growth of new, healthy hair. Consider investing in hair treatments like Revage 670 Laser that helps to restore hair growth and rejuvenate thinning hair in both men and women, painlessly! The laser stimulates blood flow to the hair follicles, encouraging growth for thicker, more voluminous hair.

Other ways to encourage growth is to stop with hair extensions, excessive blow drying and too-tight ponytails. These can all put a strain on your hair follicles and work against your favour for healthy, thick hair. Instead, opt for a loose hairstyle whenever you can.