Noticing more hair on your brush, pillow, or shower drain can feel alarming- but is it normal shedding or actual hair loss? While both may look the same at first glance, they’re not. But before you worry, it’s important to know the difference between hair shedding vs hair loss.
Hair shedding is part of the normal growth cycle—on average, we shed 50–100 strands a day. Hair loss, however, can signal deeper issues such as genetics, stress, or scalp conditions.
In this blog, we’ll help you understand how to tell the difference, what causes each, and when it’s time to seek help. Because knowing your hair’s behavior is the first step to giving it the right care.
What is Hair Shedding?
Hair shedding is a completely natural part of the hair growth cycle. There are four steps on your scalp: the growing phase, the transition phase, the resting phase and the shedding phase. Different hairs go through these stages at different times, so while most are growing, some are resting, and a few fall out naturally to make room for new hairs to grow.
Shedding hair keeps the hair balanced and refreshes the face. It’s normal to lose between 50 and 100 hairs every day. Changes in the seasons, especially after summer, can make shedding worse because of more sun and changes in the surroundings. Hair shedding, also called hair fall, is often mistaken for damage, but it is a good way for hair to grow back.
What is Hair Loss?
Alopecia is the official name for hair loss. Shedding is not the same thing as hair loss. It happens when something gets in the way of hair growth, which makes hair less dense. Hair loss rarely goes back to normal on its own, unlike thinning. It can show up as thinning hair on the head, bald spots, receding hairlines or, in women, parts that are getting bigger.
Alopecia areata (autoimmune-related), scarring alopecia and frontal fibrosing alopecia are some of the most common types. Androgenetic alopecia is male or female pattern baldness. If you don’t treat hair loss, it can worsen and lead to lifelong thinning or baldness. Understanding hair loss vs. shedding can help you act quickly.
What Causes Excessive Hair Shedding?
When shedding speeds up, it can be a sign of telogen effluvium, which means more hair cells enter the shedding phase. Some common causes are:
- Worry and stress
- Problems with the scalp, such as dandruff, psoriasis or seborrhoeic dermatitis
- Hair products with harsh chemicals
- Physical harm, illness or giving birth
- Not getting enough nutrients
- Too much heat styling or sun exposure
- Some medicines, like chemotherapy
- Tight hairstyles that cause traction alopecia
What Causes Hair Loss?
Most of the time, hair loss is caused by deeper, longer-lasting problems:
- Genetics, such as male and female pattern baldness
- Autoimmune conditions like alopecia areata
- Scarring alopecia, where hair follicles are permanently damaged
- Hormonal shifts, including post-menopause or thyroid issues
Difference Between Hair Loss and Hair Shedding
The main difference between hair shedding vs hair loss is in how long it lasts and what happens:
| Feature | Hair Shedding | Hair Loss |
|---|---|---|
| Duration | Temporary, stops once the trigger is resolved | Often permanent, progresses without treatment |
| Outcome | Hair density returns to normal | Hair density may continue to decline |
| Simple Analogy | Hair taking a break | Gradual decline |
| Importance | Understanding helps identify temporary shedding | Recognising early allows timely intervention |
By checking these factors, you can effectively distinguish hair loss and hair shedding.
Does Hair Shedding Mean Regrowth?
Yes, hair usually grows back after being lost. After the exogen phase, the anagen (growth) phase starts again and makes new strands.
- When hair falls out naturally, it grows back on its own.
- In telogen effluvium, hair grows back after the cause is removed.
- After a hair transplant, the grafts lose hair as they enter the resting phase, but hair grows back within a few months.
- When you use drugs like Minoxidil or Finasteride, you may lose hair at first before it grows back.
If, on the other hand, hair loss is caused by chronic alopecia, it may not grow back without specific treatments.
How Can I Prevent Hair Loss and Excessive Hair Shedding?
You can’t stop your hair from naturally falling out, but you can stop it from falling out too much and protect it:
- Deal with worry by learning how to relax
- Keep your scalp moist
- Wear sunscreen outside
- Avoid harsh chemical treatments
- Don’t use too much heat on your hair
- Avoid wearing your hair in tight styles often
- Get a healthy diet high in vitamins (C, E and biotin)
- Try relaxing treatments like scalp massages, derma rolling or red-light therapy
Is My Hair Falling Out or Just Shedding?
It’s not always easy to tell the difference between hair shedding vs hair fall. Important points:
| Feature | Hair Loss | Excessive Shedding |
|---|---|---|
| Onset | Gradual, sometimes abrupt | Sudden after a trigger |
| Duration | Continues until treated | Usually resolves in under 6 months |
| Affected Areas | Patterned (hairline, temples, crown) | Diffuse thinning across the scalp |
| Progression | Worsens without treatment | Self-limiting, doesn’t progress |
| Symptoms | Redness, irritation, sensitivity | Often no or mild scalp discomfort |
You can distinguish shedding vs hair loss effectively and understand what’s going on with your hair.
Conclusion
Sometimes losing hair doesn’t mean going bald. Hair shedding is normal and helps your body grow new hair. Hair loss, on the other hand, is a sign of a greater problem.
You can react properly if you understand hair shedding vs hair loss. Changing your lifestyle can often stop shedding, but seeing a doctor immediately is important if you notice thinning or balding trends. If you take good care of and treat your hair, it can stay strong and healthy.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. When you remove hair, do you also lose hair?
Not at all. While hair loss can cause itching, burning or soreness in the head, hair shedding is a natural process.
2. What do I do if I think I’m shedding hair?
The hair grows in three stages: growth (anagen), transition (catagen) and shedding (telogen). It’s normal to lose up to 100 hairs a day.
3. What about hair loss every 7 years?
Each hair lasts between 2 and 7 years before falling out and being replaced. Your genes play a big role in how much hair you have.
4. Is it the same to shed or thin?
Shedding is the normal loss of hair that happens every day. Thinning, on the other hand, is the gradual loss of hair density generally.
5. How can I tell if it’s hair loss vs shedding?
Hair loss vs hair shedding differs in pattern and duration – shedding is temporary, while hair loss may progress without treatment.
