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Is your hair falling out, or is it thinning? Hair thinning vs shedding always creates confusion for almost everyone.
You notice more strands in the shower, a wider parting, or a brush fuller than it used to be, and the panic sets in. But before you get nervous, you need to understand facts. This blog gives you exactly that: a clear guide to understanding what your hair is actually telling you.
Hair thinning, compared to shedding, is way different because it happens when your hair gradually loses density over time. It happens when the follicles themselves begin to shrink, producing finer, weaker strands with each growth cycle until, eventually, some follicles stop producing hair altogether.
Hair shedding (Telogen Effluvium) is a temporary condition where a higher-than-normal number of hairs enter the shedding phase simultaneously, usually triggered by a specific stressor.
Feature
Hair Shedding
Hair Thinning
What it is
Temporary increase in hair fall
Progressive loss of hair density
Cause
Stress, illness, hormones, diet
Follicle miniaturisation, genetics, DHT
Hair quality
Shed hairs have a white bulb; healthy diameter
New growth gets finer, weaker, shorter
Duration
Usually resolves in 6–12 months
Ongoing without intervention
Scalp visibility
Usually unchanged
The scalp becomes more visible over time
Reversibility
Often reverses on its own
Requires intervention to slow or stop
Who does it affect?
Anyone at any age
More common with age, genetics, and hormones
Losing between 50 and 100 hairs per day is considered completely normal by dermatologists and trichologists alike. Given that you have approximately 100,000 hair follicles on your scalp, losing 50–100 strands daily is less than 0.1%.
That said, context matters. If you have finer or shorter hair, you may notice shedding more visually than someone with thick, dense hair.
Post-partum women often experience a spike of 300+ hairs shed daily, typically peaking around four months after giving birth, and this still classifies as normal telogen effluvium, not permanent hair loss.
A useful tip: If you’re consistently losing more than 150–200 hairs a day over several weeks, without a clear trigger such as illness, surgery, or childbirth, that’s worth a conversation with a specialist.
Yes, and this is the question most people forget to ask.
On its own, hair shedding is temporary. Your follicles remain healthy, and once the trigger passes, growth resumes as normal. But when shedding is severe enough, prolonged enough, or caused by something that directly damages the follicle, think chronic stress hormones, nutritional deficiencies, or underlying health conditions, it can start the process of follicle miniaturisation.
Research published in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology confirms that, in genetically predisposed individuals, chronic telogen effluvium can trigger androgenetic alopecia (pattern hair loss).
Thinning vs shedding hair difference, you ask what the important distinction is? Hair shedding can heal itself. Hair thinning rarely happens without support.
Hair shedding is typically a systemic “shock” to the body. Research cited in the British Journal of Dermatology suggests that triggers like high fever, rapid weight loss, or severe psychological stress can push up to 30% of your hair into the shedding phase at once.
Hair thinning, conversely, is often biological. In cases of Androgenetic Alopecia, a hormone called DHT attaches to the follicles, causing them to shrink. Over time, the follicle becomes so small that it stops producing visible hair. Unlike hair shedding, thinning doesn’t stop just because your stress levels drop; it requires a structural solution like a hair replacement system to restore the look of a full head of hair.
The Parting Test: Look at your parting in the mirror. If it looks wider than it did two years ago, it’s likely hair thinning.
The Pillow Test: Check your pillowcase. If it’s covered in hair strands every morning, but your scalp looks the same, it’s likely hair shedding.
The Strand Diameter: Hold a shed hair up to the light. If it’s significantly thinner and weaker than the hair at the back of your head, you are experiencing thinning.
When the difference between hair thinning and shedding results in a loss of confidence, many consider a hair transplant or hair system. While transplants are invasive and rely on limited donor hair, Oxea London’s hair replacement system offers an instant, painless, and 100% guaranteed result. It is the only way to achieve “natural density” without the risks of surgery, making it the superior choice for people who cannot afford downtime!
If you have been watching your hair change and you know something’s shifted, book a consultation. It’s the most confident thing you can do for your hair today!
Hair thinning vs shedding, they are not the same, and treating them as though they are is one of the most common mistakes people make on their hair journey.
Shedding is your body in motion. Thinning is your follicles sending a message. Both deserve attention, but hair thinning, especially when left unaddressed, tends to progress quietly, making the window for effective intervention shorter than most people realise.
Oxea London is here to help you understand exactly what’s happening and what your options are. A consultation changes everything. Book yours today!
Megan Brooks is a Certified Trichologist at Oxea Invisible Hair Solutions with over 21 years of Unbeatable experience. Throughout her remarkable career, she has successfully completed an impressive 8000+ hair replacement systems. Megan is dedicated to transforming lives and boosting self-confidence so that one can live with all the pride. She has served over 800 satisfied clients and still-counting, while helping them regain their natural appearance and feel their best.
