Hair Fall vs Hair Loss: What's Normal and When to Worry

You bend forward to clear the drain from your shower and stop. Is that a lot of hair? Are you concerned?

We've all experienced that moment of stillness and panic. The happy news is that hair loss is a normal occurrence each and every day. The not so good news: If you're not sure how to tell the difference between normal hair loss and hair loss, you could be overlooking a serious problem -or you could be unnecessarily panicking about a harmless one.

This book demystifies it all, what is normal, what is not, what causes each, and what you can do about it.

Hair Fall vs Hair Loss: The Core Difference

These two terms are often used interchangeably, but they mean very different things.

Simply explained: Hair fall is your hair's way of "refreshering itself. If you are losing hair, then the refresh cycle has been interrupted 

It is important to understand the hair growth cycle.It is necessary to comprehend the Hair Growth Cycle.

The difference can only be understood by getting a clear understanding of how hair grows:

1.The growth phase (also referred to as anagen) lasts from 1-7 years.

This is when hair growth takes place. Throughout your life, this is the phase of your hair, around 85-90%.

2. Transition (Catagen) -2-3 weeks

Hair growth slows down and detaches from the bloodstream. Here are about 1-3% of the hairs.

3. Telogen (Resting Phase) – 3 months

Hair is lying in the hair follicles prior to hair fall. About 10-15% of your hair is located here.

4. Exogen (Shedding Phase)

Old hair falls out and a new anagen cycle starts.

The healthy cycle causes 50-100 hairs to fall out every day, while new hair is growing to replace them. If there is an alteration in the cycle (illness, hormones, stress, nutrition), more hair will prematurely fall into the telogen or exogen phase. Then it's time for "hair fall" to become "hair loss.

What is a normal hair loss? (And How to Determine if You are in Range)

The average amount of hair loss is 50 to 100 strands a day. More might be seen on wash days because any hair that is trapped is shed at one time -150-200 strands in a session might not be too concerning.

If you notice the following signs, you should not worry about excessive hair loss.

• Hair on your pillow, brush or drain and no hair in sight.

• Your parting width hasn't changed

• No balding areas.No balding spots.

• The density of the hair is the same as before.

• Hair falling is slightly higher during the seasons (Fall shedding is common)

Quick home check:

Take 60 strands of hair between your fingers from the root area. Gently, but firmly, pull. More than 6 strands coming out means that there may be an active shedding outside the normal range -worth monitoring.

So when does Hair Fall become Hair Loss? Here are some of the signs to look out for with your child:

Keep an eye out for these dates:

If you are losing over 100 – 150 strands regularly for over 3 months, you have a problem!

It's okay if it's just one bad week. The red flag is if the shedding is prolonged and heavy.

Your scalp is starting to show through.You're now starting to see your scalp.

If you notice that your hair is thinning or has an exposed scalp in a wide part or in several spots, this isn't normal hair loss.

Your hairline is receding

A balding point on top or side of the crown is common in men and indicates androgenetic alopecia (pattern hair loss).

 Hair loss is on the volume (not length) side.

If your ponytail is starting to feel flatter and has a noticeable lack of bulk, then your hair is decreasing in density.

You see round bald areas.You see round bald spots.

May be a sign of an autoimmune disease (alopecia areata) and should be evaluated by a medical professional.

 Hair fall is accompanied by other symptoms

If you experience unexpected weight loss, weight gain, inflammation or itching around the scalp, in addition to heavy hair fall, you may have problems with your thyroid, hormones, or scalp.

Most of the usual causes of excessive hair fall or hair loss are:

1. Stress (Telogen Effluvium)

A large percentage of hair follicles enter the resting stage at the same time during physical/emotional stress. Following the stressful event, hair then falls out in large numbers 2-4 months later, making it hard for people to put the coincidence together.

2. Nutritional Deficiencies

The most common causes of diffuse hair loss in India include iron deficiency (especially in women), low levels of ferritin, Vitamin D deficiency, and protein deficiency.

3. Hormonal Changes

The hair growth cycle is greatly impacted by pregnancy, postpartum recovery, PCOS, thyroid disorders, and menopause. That's why a woman's hair loss can differ in many ways from that of men.

4. Androgenetic Alopecia (Pattern Hair Loss)

Follicles shrink, and become increasingly finer and less productive, when there is a genetic sensitivity to DHT (dihydrotestosterone). Affects Both men and women.

5. Scalp Health Issues

The follicles and the skin in the area are not healthy when there is dandruff, seborrheic dermatitis, scalp psoriasis, or fungal infections. Eczema of the scalp is a common and yet unrecognized factor in hair loss.

6. Heat, Chemical & Mechanical Damage

Repeated heat styling, bleaching, tight hairstyles (traction alopecia) and rough handling to hair can lead to weakening of the hair shafts and breakage that appears like shedding.

7. Harsh Hair Care Products

Sulfate-free shampoos are part of this product range, which also includes parabens and detergents that do not cause harsh effects.This line of shampoos includes sulfates-free shampoos, parabens and harsh-detergent-free shampoos.

Hair Fall vs Hair Breakage: One More Distinction

It is easy for many people to mix these two up and particularly when they notice tiny hairs.

The entire strand with the root (you'll see a white/dark bulb at the end) is considered hair fall / shedding.

Hair breakage = a snapped hair in the middle (no bulb, uneven ends)

When hair breaks, it is indicating that the hair shaft is weak and broken. Shedding occurs when your follicle cycle is disturbed. Both require different approaches to solutions. 

What You Can Do: A Problem-Solution Approach

The first step is to look at the Root Cause.

When considering a product, ask yourself:

• Do I feel like I'm under a lot of stress these days?

• Have the level of iron, ferritin and vitamin D been measured recently?

• Are there any hormonal issues that I have?

• Do I have an itchy, flaky, or irritated scalp?

When there is a suspicion of a medical or hormonal cause, you should definitely see a dermatologist or trichologist. Products can be used to complement, but not substitute for, addressing underlying causes.

Step 2: Shampoo Your Scalp Clean Without stripping it.

People don't realize how important their shampoo is. The harsh cleansers kill off the microbiome on the scalp, remove sebum and eventually lead to the weakening of follicle anchorage. Use a formula that is effective at cleaning while also promoting scalp and hair health.

CINCINNUS Anti Hair Loss & Strengthening Shampoo has been designed with this balance in mind. Powered by:

Ginger Root Extract -helps nourish the follicles by stimulating the circulation in the scalp.

Plant-based ingredient known to inhibit DHT activity at the scalp level, which is one of the main hormones that cause thinning hair -Platycladus Leaf Extract

Hydrolyzed Keratin -is a protein that repairs the hair shaft from the inside making the hair stronger, smoother and more resilient.

No harsh chemicals (no irritating or damaging ingredients)

It's formulated to be used day in and day out and is perfect for those who want to care for their scalp daily without the fear of over-drying.

Shop CINCINNUS Anti Hair Loss & Strengthening Shampoo -₹1,150

Developing supportive habits.

• Diet: Take an emphasis on protein foods (eggs, lentils, paneer) , iron rich foods (spinach, jaggery, rajma) and vitamin rich fruits.

• Beware of supplements: Biotin, zinc and vitamin D are common deficiencies; check with blood tests before taking supplements.

• Get 3-4 days off heat styling each week!

• Treat hair with care: Untangle when damp only, use wide-tooth combs, avoid daily tight hairstyles

• Handle stress: Yoga, getting a good night's sleep and even simply walking outside can help lower the shedding of hair that's fueled by stress hormones.

• Scalp massage: 3-5 mins a day will help to increase blood flow to follicles

Hair Fall in India: Some of the factors to be aware of:

Indian hair is not one and the same, but there are lifestyle and environmental factors that cause hair to fall out in India more often than elsewhere:

High mineral content (calcium, magnesium) in tap water in cities, such as Mumbai, Delhi, and Ahmedabad, causes hard water to coat the hair shaft and clog the hair follicles, leading to increased hair fall.

Dryness and heat: Seasonal fluctuations can cause stress to the scalp and trigger shedding patterns

Pollution: airborne particulates stick to the scalp, inflame and compromise the follicles.

Diet changes: Dietary pattern changes, such as the decrease in the consumption of iron, protein and omega-3, are driving younger age-related hair thinning.

Quick Reference: Normal vs Concerning

Learn more about the subject from the answers to your most frequently asked questions.

Q1. What is the normal amount of hair to fall out in a day?

A loss of 50 to 100 hairs per day is quite normal. Your scalp contains approximately 100,000 follicles and this shedding is a normal process of hair growth; new hair growth is taking place in replacement of that shed.

Q2. What is the difference between hair fall and hair loss?

Hair Fall: Normal shedding with a fresh new growth. Loss of hair (or alopecia) is a disruption of the hair growth cycle and a decrease in the speed of regrowth, or even no regrowth, (and thinning hair over time).

Q3. Yes, stress can cause hair loss.

Yes, this is what's known as telogen effluvium. When follicles are given significant stress, either physical or emotional, they enter an early resting phase and shed hair in a diffuse manner, typically beginning 2-4 months after the stressful event.

Q4. Is hair falling in the shower more than elsewhere concerning?

Not necessarily. The shed hairs that have not fallen yet accumulate until you shampoo and comb them out, which gives you a clearer view of the hair. If you think your shedding is excessive on a daily basis and you see thinning, it's different.

Q5. Is there a right shampoo to curtail hair fall?

Yes -but the key word is "reduce. The quality of an anti-hair fall shampoo will not be able to cure pattern baldness or correct a hormonal imbalance but can help to significantly strengthen hair at the root, cut down on hair breakage, promote a healthy scalp and provide a better environment for hair growth. Ingredients such as Ginger Root, Platycladus Leaf Extract and Hydrolyzed Keratin (such as the CINCINNUS Anti Hair Loss & Strengthening Shampoo) are scientifically proven to do this.

Q6. When will I notice a change in my hair after use of anti hair loss shampoo?

Hair grows about 1-1.5cm a month. Within 6-8 weeks of regular application most people will notice decreased shedding and improved texture. The volume improvement will usually be noticeable in 3-6 months.

Q7. Should I wash my hair daily with an anti-hair loss shampoo?

It depends on the formula, which is not specified. Harsh shampoos should not be used on a daily basis because they will nourish the scalp. Some products such as CINCINNUS are for everyday use and will be gentle on the scalp.

Q8. Which vitamin is required to stop hair loss?

The three most common deficiencies that are associated with hair loss in India are iron (especially ferritin), Vitamin D, and Vitamin B12. Biotin deficiency is relatively uncommon but its incidence is often reported. When supplementing, always check with a blood test.

Q9. Can hair loss be reversed?

Depends on the condition. Stress and nutritional deficiency-induced hair loss can be often reversed when the cause is treated. Hair loss from andro- (pattern) hair loss can be slowed down and controlled, but a medical intervention is required to reverse it completely.

Q10. How much hair loss is too much for me to wait for?

If you lose more than 100-150 hairs per day for more than 3 months, if you notice any visible scalp or bald patches, if you suffer from sudden dramatic hair loss and/or if you have other symptoms such as fatigue and/or skin changes, you should seek advice from a dermatologist or trichologist.

It is important to identify the difference and to act at the right time.Know the difference, act at the right time,

Hair fall vs hair loss is a matter of your body doing its work and your body sending you a message. The bad news: Hair loss is often treatable -and sometimes even curable -if identified and managed at an early stage.

Listen first. If you're concerned, count strings. Check your parting. Assess your diet and stress level. And use a shampoo that works instead of against your scalp.