Hair Shedding

Hair shedding most often considered as hair loss or hair thinning. Hair normally falls after telogen phase to start the new anagen phase. To best understand the causes, treatment options and prevention, it is pertinent to discuss hair growth cycles.

Anagen:
Anagen is the growth phase which lasts around 6 years. During the anagen phase the growth cells in the papilla, the bulb like structure in the bottom of hair follicles, divide and reproduce the hair shaft. The hair shaft becomes keratinized as it pushes up and out of the hair follicle into dermis and epidermis. Besides growing upward, it penetrates into deep dermis for nourishment through tiny blood capillaries.

Catagen:
Catagen phase is a renewal process during which the hair follicle is degraded and the hair stops growing. During the Catagen phase the hair follicle shrinks and the lower part is destroyed including dermal papillae. On the other hand, hair shaft gradually steps upward.

Telogen:
During telogen phase, hair follicles enter into resting period for two to four months. During this phase, the hair shaft does not grow but still remains attached to the hair follicle. Approximately 10-15 percent of all hairs are in telogen or resting phase at any time.

After the telogen phase has been completed, hair follicles enter anagen phase.

Therefore, losing around 100 hair shafts a day is normal and it is not considered as any type of hair loss. Many people often consider it as hair thinning or mild hair loss. Before producing new hair shafts, hair follicles push upward old hair shafts all together. This gives you an impression that you are losing hair or having hair shedding.

If you are shedding hair excessively then you should see a health care professionalyour dermatologist or health care professional to get it diagnosed. Hair shedding and hair loss or hair thinning are totally different to each other. Hair loss refers to gradual loss of hair that often leads to baldness while hair thinning slightly differs in that it is mild type of hair loss or that never goes to complete baldness. Formally, hair loss is defined as the state of lack of hair growth in the area where hair grows normally.

Conclusion:
Hair shedding is a normal process taking place during hair growth cycles. Falling around 100 hairs a day is normal and it can not considered as hair thinning or baldness. Hair shedding occurs when hair growth cycles ends its telogen phase and enter anagen phase again. To grow new hair shafts, hair follicles push old hair shafts upward. When it happens with thousands of hair follicles, it seems as hair loss. But how you distinguish it with hair loss? When you start losing more hair which can be noticed on your comb or when you are washing your hair, you may be developing hair thinning or hair loss and it is the time to get it diagnosed with qualified hair care professional.