Hair Thinning Versus Hair Loss

What Is Hair Thinning?

Hair thinning is a condition where the hair follicle or shaft begins to grow the hair of thinner diameter. This condition is associated with hair fall. Since the diameter of the hair follicle goes thinner, the hair that grows can become thinner. Hair thinning is a gradual process that owes to a wide range of causes.

What Causes Hair Thinning?

A range of factors contribute to the hair thinning problem. The causes of hair thinning sometimes apply to hair loss development. The potential causes of hair thinning are given below:

• Hormonal Conditions: Hair thinning due to hormonal changes can result in hair loss. This hair loss is termed androgenic alopecia. One can experience hair thinning and eventual loss when the body has increased androgen levels. Androgen refers to the male sex hormone that is chiefly seen in males and minimally in females. The role of this hormone is significant in hormonal changes and their associated conditions. Moreover, hormonal-related states like thyroid, menopause, and pregnancy can result in hair thinning.

• Age Factors: The predominant cause of hair thinning is known to be old age. Hair thinning in old age is common in males and females but more marked in women. The mechanism behind this is the hair follicles tend to become fragile and grow thinner as the age increases. Such an effect represents a decline in hair density. As a result, significant hair loss might occur, resulting in baldness in most cases.

• Overtreatment: Certain lifestyle modifications to hair can cause hair thinning. Overtreating the hair with perms, relaxers, and colors can affect the hair. Harsh hair products like sprays and gels can also affect hair quality, causing hair thinning.

• Diet Changes: Diet modifications seem more likely to be trendy and faddish with the lifestyle. In that case, not getting the appropriate amount of nutrients in the diet can cause hair thinning. The reduced intake of folic acid, iron, and other minerals can induce hair thinning since they induce hair follicles to produce hair growth.

• Chronic Stress: Stress occurs in association with the increased cortisol level. Cortisol is a steroid hormone that is produced in response to stress by adrenal glands. Increased stress hormones can cause a marked hair loss where the hair follicles turn into the resting phase, preventing new hair growth.

Thinning of hair can also be associated with hereditary factors or underlying medical illnesses. The following states or conditions could cause hair thinning:

• Recent pregnancy or delivery.

• A significant weight loss in a short period.

• Immune system deficiencies.

• Skin conditions.

• Recent termination of birth control pills.

• Vitamin D deficiency.

• Deficiency in minerals like zinc, selenium, and riboflavin.

• Ongoing treatment for autoimmune disease.

The less common causes of thinning of hair include:

• Eating disorders.

• Increased body temperature.

• Abrupt lifestyle changes.

• Pulling of hair.

What Is Hair Loss?

Hair loss, or baldness or alopecia, is hair loss from part of the head. The severity of the hair loss could considerably vary, from a small area on the head to the entire head. Hair loss is usually accompanied by inflammation and scarring. Hair loss involves many causes and types.

What Causes Hair Loss?

Hair loss possesses many causes. The cause of hair loss determines whether the hair can regrow, requiring treatment or prompt repair care. The essential causes of hair loss include the following:

• Hereditary Conditions: Hereditary hair loss is a common one to occur worldwide. It is termed male pattern hair loss in men and female pattern hair loss in women. The first sign of hereditary hair loss presented in women is hair thinning, while men have receding hairlines or bald spots.

• Stress: Stress in acute or chronic cases can result in hair loss, causing the hair follicles to run down for months. The stress usually interrupts and affects the hair growth cycle. As a result, shedding occurs where hair regrowing can be difficult. This kind of hair loss will end once the stress is addressed and treated.

• Medical Illness: The underlying medical conditions, ongoing treatments, and medicines can cause hair loss. This hair loss also gets resolved once the treatment or medication has terminated.

• Age: Hair loss can be noticed in older people because the hair growth decreases as the age increases. At one point, the shafts (hair follicles) stop hair growth. Hair also tends to lose its color and elasticity. Hair loss in women presents receding hairline.

• Cancer Treatment: There is more likelihood of hair loss in individuals who are under cancer treatment, like chemotherapy and radiation therapy. A person with cancer treatment might lose the entire hair, even within two or three weeks of the initiation of the treatment. The hair usually begins to regrow within months of completing the course of radiation or chemo treatments.

• Scalp Infection: A scalp infection can result in scaly skin and inflammation in the scalp. One might see the appearance of black dots on the scalp representing stubs of hair. In other people, bald spots can result.

• Medications: The potential adverse effect of certain medications is hair loss. Discuss the possible side effects of the medication with the healthcare professional. One should not bring to a stop of medication without the doctor’s consent.

What Is the Difference Between Hair Thinning and Hair Loss?

Hair loss and hair thinning are not the same thing. Simultaneously, they are not completely distinct things to learn. The difference between these problems includes the following:

• Hair thinning is the base of hair loss and balding. The sequelae of hair loss sometimes come from hair thinning. The symptoms of hair thinning and hair loss are similar, indicating the first sign of hair loss. In contrast, hair loss is never the cause of hair thinning.

• Hair thinning is usually not related to hair fall. Hair thinning refers to the decline in the diameter of the hair, occurring from the thinning of the hair follicles. In contrast, hair loss induces the hair to fall.

• Hair thinning is a gradual process occurring over a long period. It does not represent the stoppage of hair growth. Hair thinning just reduces the time of hair growth since there will be a prolonged gap between the shedding and the growing phases of the hair growth cycle. In contrast, hair loss occurs when the hair growth is interrupted and halted. Hence, hair loss results in balding.

Conclusion

Hair loss and hair thinning are the concerns of hair loss, though. Hair loss and hair thinning are distinct conditions. It is essential to recognize the cause of hair-related problems because the management and treatment strategies could vary depending on whether one is dealing with hair loss or hair thinning. Consulting a dermatologist can help one determine the underlying cause and give guidance toward appropriate and tailored solutions.