If you brush your hair after a shower and notice that it’s surprisingly fuller than usual, it’s no wonder you’re alarmed. However, before jumping to conclusions, it is important to understand hair loss and hair loss and how to deal with each. This is because, contrary to popular belief, these are different experiences, yet they are commonly confused with each other.
Meet the experts: Dr. Ross Kopelman, hair restoration surgeon at Kopelman Hair Restoration, Inc., and Dr. Morgan Labach, board-certified dermatologist at LM Medical. and Dr. Candice Thornton Spann, a board-certified dermatologist in Las Vegas.
Below, experts explain which is which, how to tell the difference, how much hair loss is normal, and when to see a dermatologist about your concerns. Plus, how to treat hair loss and hair loss at home.
What is hair loss?
“Hair loss is part of the natural hair cycle. It’s completely normal to lose about 50 to 100 hairs a day,” explains Dr. Ross Kopelman, hair restoration surgeon at Kopelman Hair Restoration. I will. In fact, shedding is good for your health, he says. Just as our skin regenerates and sheds dead skin cells, hair follicles also go through a life cycle that includes growth, resting, and shedding, he added.
Contrary to popular belief, normal hair loss is not made worse by brushing or washing your hair, says Morgan Laback, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist with LM Medical.
What is hair removal?
Kopelman explains that alopecia is characterized by large amounts of persistent hair loss, which can lead to noticeable thinning or bald spots. In these cases, instead of going through a normal cycle, the hair follicles “become damaged or become inactive and stop producing hair,” he says. Clinically, this type of hair loss is called alopecia and can be caused by a variety of factors including genetics, chemotherapy, hormonal changes, autoimmune conditions or thyroid disease, normal aging, or environmental factors. Yes, Dr. Labac added.
Comparison of hair loss and hair loss
Dr. Kopelman says when the seasons change or you’re under a lot of stress, you may notice more hair loss than usual, but the problem usually resolves on its own. “The key difference between hair loss and hair loss is that hair loss is temporary and part of the growth cycle, whereas hair loss, if left untreated, often leads to permanent thinning or hair loss.” concludes.
There are more than 100,000 hair follicles on the human scalp, so shedding just 100 hairs a day usually doesn’t make a big difference in the appearance of your hair, but it does make a big difference. added Dr. Labac.
How to deal with hair loss at home
There are several things you can do at home to reduce your risk of hair loss or worsening hair loss.
eat a balanced diet
“Focus on foods rich in vitamins and minerals such as biotin, zinc, and iron,” says Dr. Labac. “Extreme diets or fasting diets without iron or B vitamins can cause extreme hair loss.”
scalp massage
According to Dr. Labach, physical massage with a scalp massager, or simply using your fingertips, can increase blood circulation to the hair follicles and promote hair growth.
gentle hair care
Dr. Labach recommends avoiding styling methods that can irritate your hair and scalp, such as tight, overly heavy braids or ponytails, or harsh treatments such as perms or chemical hair straightening.
manage stress
Stress and immune system function are linked to hair loss, and conversely, managing stress may reverse hair loss or at least make it easier to manage. Dr. Labac says practices like yoga and meditation can help reduce stress-related hair loss.
try supplements
“We also recommend supplements like biotin and Nutrafol, which are formulated to strengthen hair from the inside out,” says Dr. Kopelman. Nutrafol is clinically proven to benefit women and menopausal women.
try rosemary oil
“I often recommend rosemary oil as a home remedy because it can help some patients with hair loss,” Kopelman added. Although research is preliminary, rosemary oil is becoming more popular and readily available as a home hair treatment used to promote hair growth.
When to talk to your doctor about hair loss
“If you notice an increase in hair loss, see a dermatologist,” says Candice Thornton Spann, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Las Vegas. “Signs such as gradual thinning or widening of the top of the head, spots or bald spots on the scalp, or a decrease in overall hair density may indicate an underlying health condition. Like many things, hair loss is best treated early, so it’s important to see a doctor as soon as possible.
Dr. Labach says accompanying symptoms such as itching, pain, or scaling on the scalp are also red flags to make an appointment, especially if you have a family history of severe hair loss or underlying health conditions.
Dietary supplements are products intended to supplement your diet. They are not medicines and are not intended to treat, diagnose, alleviate, prevent, or cure any disease. Use caution when taking dietary supplements if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Also, be careful about giving supplements to children unless recommended by a health care provider.
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Kayla Blanton is a freelance writer and editor who covers health, nutrition, and lifestyle topics for a variety of publications including Prevention, Everyday Health, SELF, and People. She’s always open to conversations about refueling with flavorful food, breaking beauty standards, and finding new gentle ways to care for our bodies. She holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Ohio University with a concentration in women’s, gender, and sexuality studies and public health, and is a born and raised Midwesterner who lived in Ohio with her husband and two spoiled kittens. I live in Cincinnati, state.
