Difference between Hair Loss and Hair Thinning

22 January, 2018 | Hair Loss | Author : Shveta Virmani

The most important and personality-enhancing feature of a person's body is 'hair.' While many people are blessed with loads of it, there are several people who lack this confidence-boosting feature. You can opt for a hair transplant in india and other beneficial hair treatments from MedLinks to resolve any issue. However, knowing the difference between hair loss and hair thinning is key.

Coming to the point, Hair Loss and Hair Thinning are very much alike, but there's a 'hairline' difference between them. Hair loss is generally the last stage of hair thinning. In the early stages of hair loss, the hair shaft begins to thin with every hair growth cycle, which is termed as Hair Thinning. While this process will ultimately lead to baldness in males, females normally don't experience that. Their hair will typically keep getting thinner.

If you're reading this blog, that means you're here to find out what the exact difference between hair loss and hair thinning is. So, let's get started!

Table of content

What is Hair Thinning?

To know the difference between hair loss and hair thinning, it is important to know what each entails. Several people have thin hair as their natural hair. However, hair thinning happens when the hair strands become thinner than earlier. Hair thinning is a common concern for many, and it refers to the gradual loss of hair density. Unlike total baldness, hair thinning leaves your scalp partially covered.

You will be able to see a change in the thickness of your hair follicle, which is caused when sensitivity occurs to the normal androgen that runs around hair follicles. The sensitivity leads to shrinking and change in the diameter of the hair follicle. Hair thinning can affect both men and women and leads to a decrease in self-esteem.

For women, estrogen provides the necessary follicular protection, reducing the speed of this process.A well-balanced diet consisting of essential vitamins and minerals such as iron and zinc can help prevent this problem. A healthy body leads to healthy hair. Extreme hair thinning can be treated with a hair transplant. Also Read: How to prevent hair thinning?

What are the Causes of Hair Thinning

Several factors can lead to hair thinning. These are explained in the sections below:

Lifestyle Factors

A major issue behind hair thinning is over-treating your hair, including going for frequent color treatments, perms, and relaxers. These processes weakens the hair shaft and make your hair more prone to breakage, which leads to thinner hair over time.

Another cause is the use of harsh hair products. These can be hair sprays or gels. The chemicals in these often strip your hair of its natural oils. This, in turn, causes dryness and breakage.

Tight hairdos like ponytails tug on your hair follicles, and repeated tension can cause hair to break from the roots. This is also called traction alopecia and results in thin spots on the scalp.

Another major factor is nutritional deficiency. Your hair follicles require specific nutrients like folic acid and iron to function properly. A diet lacking these can disrupt the hair growth cycle, causing thinning.

Chronic stress is another major reason behind hair thinning. Higher levels of cortisol or stress hormones can lead to telogen effluvium. This is when the hair falls out, and the follicles get into an extended telogen phase, preventing new hair growth.

Hereditary and Medical Reasons

Hair thinning can also occur due to underlying medical conditions or hereditary issues like

if you had a baby recently
if you are undergoing hormonal change
Rapid weight loss
Infection or skin disorder
Receiving treatment for autoimmune diseases
Deficiencies in the immune system
Vitamin D deficiency

Hair thinning can also occur due to high fever, eating disorders, or compulsive hair pulling.

What is Hair Loss?

More than half of the world is suffering from hair fall. Not all people suffer from hair loss, though. Several factors, such as climatic conditions, a person's health, water quality, etc., can lead to hair fall. Simply put, you're suffering from hair loss if your hair stops regrowing.

When your hair strands from thinning hair have developed into feathery white hair, it can be explained as hair loss. Regular and proper combing of hair, keeping it clean, and eating a well-balanced diet are just a few ways to avoid hair fall and improve hair quality.

Understanding the Causes of Hair Loss

There are several reasons that cause hair fall, including hereditary, excessive use of hair gels and hair sprays, certain medications, an overactive immune system, etc. Let's understand them in detail.

Hereditary: This is the most common cause of hair loss. It usually happens with age. Hereditary-based hair loss is usually called male or female pattern baldness. The medical term is androgenic alopecia. It happens in a predictable manner and over time. Visible symptoms include a thinning of hair in the crown area of women and bald spots or receding hairline in men.
Supplements and Medications: Hair loss can also occur as a side effect of specific medications, particularly those for depression, arthritis, high blood pressure, and heart diseases. Do not ever stop taking your medications to prevent hair loss. Instead, always consult with your doctor for the necessary course of action.
Hormonal Changes: Temporary or permanent hair loss can also occur due to various hormonal issues that take place due to thyroid, menopause, pregnancy, and childbirth.
Medical Conditions: Certain medical conditions like alopecia areata or AA are related to the immune system and cause hair loss. This directly hampers the anagen-to-telogen ratio of hair growth, leading to the shedding of hair and patchy spots. AA also occurs due to skin infections and trichotillomania.
Stress: Excessive stress can cause hair loss in adults and younger individuals. This is mostly temporary.
Hair Styling Treatments: Undergoing an excess amount of hair stylings, like doing cornrows or ponytails with gels and sprays, can cause hair loss.
Vitamin Deficiency: The answer to which vitamin deficiency causes hair loss is that there are many, and Vitamin D is the main one. Besides, Vitamin B6 and Vitamin B12 are equally important.

Hair Thinning Vs Hair Loss: What is the Difference

To effectively treat hair thinning or loss, it is essential to know the difference between hair loss and hair thinning. The table below presents the same.

ASPECT	HAIR THINNING	HAIR LOSS
Definition	The slow reduction in hair density makes the scalp more visible.	Partial or complete shedding of hair that causes bald spots.
Major Causes	Stress, Age, Over styling of hair, and Nutritional Deficiencies are the key causes.	Genetics, Medical Conditions, Chronic Stress, and Medications can cause hair loss.
Progression	Gradual and may not end up in total baldness.	It can be gradual or sudden and mostly leads to baldness.
Common Affected Areas	Thinning along the crown area.	Temple or crown area for mild cases. Severe alopecia affects the entire scalp.
Reversibility	It is mostly reversible with proper care and treatment.	It can be reversible or permanent.

Hair Thinning Treatment Options at MedLinks

MedLinks, known for its premium hair treatment solutions, offers a range of treatments for hair thinning. This includes:

Scalp Micro Pigmentation: This is a cosmetic pigmentation of the scalp using hypo-allergic medical pigments of the scalp's dermal layer. This replicates the appearance of hair follicles and helps treat minor cases of thinning.
Laser Therapy: A cold Laser or Low-Level Laser Therapy also helps in preventing hair thinning. The hair shaft is heated through a series of small diode emitters. This results in stimulation of the hair roots and adjacent stem cells.
Mesotherapy: It is a non-invasive form of treatment that includes injecting solutions, vitamins, or medicines into the target tissues below the epidermis.

Hair Loss Treatment Options at MedLinks

The different hair loss treatment choices at MedLinks are:

Minoxidil: Minoxidil is effective in treating hair loss and alopecia. It is a topical medicine that is clinically formulated to cure this issue. Also Read: How to use minoxidil for hair.
Stem Cells: MedLinks also offers Stem cell hair loss treatment through Adipose Derived Stem cells. Here, the fat from the person's body is removed, and the pluripotent cells are isolated, which can develop into hair cells and lead to hair growth.
Hair Transplant: It is a procedure through which hair from the individual's donor area is moved to the bald area. A surgeon usually executes it.

Other treatment options include Mesotherapy, Low-Level Laser Therapy, and treatment including platelet-rich Plasma. Also Read: Hair loss treatment stage by stage.

What is the Difference Between Hair Fall And Hair Loss

Besides knowing the difference between hair loss and hair thinning, you should also know the difference between hair fall and hair loss. Hair fall is temporary, and you can experience an average hair fall of 50 to 100 strands every day. Hair fall is usually visible on the strands and is mostly caused by lifestyle factors.

Hair loss takes place due to excessive and imbalanced hair fall. It can be permanent if not treated properly and is visible on the scalp. It is a more advanced level of hair fall.

Thinning Vs Balding: The Basic Difference

The basic difference between hair thinning and balding is that the former does not show bald spots. It is mostly observed in the density of the hair. The latter is mostly observed through prominent spots in the scalp region.

Final Words

Technology has rapidly evolved in the last few years and as of today's date, there are several hair loss treatments available to prevent hair loss. Dermatology has advanced, and there are several hair specialists in Delhi and all across the country to serve people with hair loss problems.

The ultimate solution for hair loss is hair transplantation. However, there is no alternative to maintaining proper hygiene of your hair and keeping it clean daily.

FAQs

Can hair grow back after thinning?

In most cases, your hair will grow back even after you have faced hair thinning as long as you get treated on time.

Can any medicine cause hair loss?

Certain medications for arthritis, high blood pressure, and depression can cause hair loss. However, the solution is not to stop having your medicines but to receive relevant hair treatment.