The terms “hair fall” and “hair loss” are often used interchangeably, but they actually refer to different phenomena. Here is an explanation highlighting the differences and the hair growth cycle:
Hair Fall
Hair fall is a natural process that happens daily as part of the hair growth cycle. The hair cycle consists of three main phases:
- Anagen Stage (Growing Stage):
- The hair is actively growing.
- Approximately 90% of our hair is in this stage at any given time.
- This stage lasts for about 5-7 years, depending on the individual.
- Catagen Stage (Transitional Stage):
- The hair transitions from growing to resting.
- This phase is brief, lasting around 4 weeks.
- Telogen Stage (Resting/Falling Stage):
- The hair is in the resting phase and eventually falls out.
- This phase lasts about 6 months.
- Approximately 10% of our hair is in this stage at any time.
Given the natural hair cycle, losing a certain amount of hair daily is normal. For men, shedding around 30 strands per day is considered normal, while for women, shedding around 70 strands per day is normal due to having more hair on the scalp. On average, we have around 1.5 lakh (150,000) hair follicles on our scalp, each capable of producing new hair growth about 30 to 40 times in a lifetime. Therefore, hair fall as a natural phenomenon does not cause hair loss.
Hair Loss
Hair loss refers to a reduction in the number of hair strands on the scalp, leading to thinning or baldness. It can occur due to various reasons:
- Male or Female Pattern Baldness:
- Genetically linked condition.
- Hair follicles sensitive to DHT (dihydrotestosterone) shrink, leading to thinning and miniaturization of hair.
- Alopecia Areata:
- An autoimmune condition where the body produces antibodies that destroy hair follicles.
- Causes patchy hair loss.
- Cicatricial Alopecia:
- An autoimmune condition known as Lichen Planopilaris (LPP).
- Causes scarring and degeneration of the affected scalp area.
- Telogen Effluvium:
- More hair enters the Telogen phase prematurely.
- Can result in shedding more than 200-500 strands of hair per day.
- Triggered by underlying health conditions like hypothyroidism, liver disorders, poor diet, anemia, vitamin deficiency, or acute infections like malaria, dengue, or typhoid.
- Can also occur post-partum in women.
- Anagen Effluvium:
- Typically occurs after chemotherapy.
Understanding the difference between hair fall and hair loss is crucial for determining the appropriate treatment and care for maintaining healthy hair. more
