Understanding the differences between hair breakage and hair loss can be tricky, as they often present with overlapping symptoms. However, distinguishing between them is crucial for proper treatment. Here’s a simpler breakdown, alongside references from “Hair and Scalp Health: Dos and Don’ts” by Althea Gooden.
Hair Breakage:
What It Is – Breakage happens when the hair shaft becomes weak and snaps. It results in shorter hair pieces and frizz, especially at the ends or mid-lengths.
Common Signs. : Frizzy, uneven hair lengths, rough texture, and split ends.
Main Causes : Overuse of heat styling tools, chemical processing, rough handling, and lack of moisture.
Key Identifiers. : Hair strands are broken in the middle, lacking the white bulb typically seen in shed hair.
Hair Loss (Shedding):
What It Is : Hair loss involves hair falling out from the root, often due to medical conditions, hormonal changes, or genetics.
Common Signs. : More hair in the shower drain, on your pillow, or hairbrush; thinning patches or bald spots.
Main Causes. : Genetics, hormonal imbalances, stress, nutritional deficiencies, or scalp conditions.
Key Identifiers : Strands have a white bulb at the end, indicating they’ve fallen out from the root.
Excerpt from “Hair and Scalp Health: Dos and Don’ts”:
In the book, Althea Gooden emphasizes the importance of recognizing the distinction between hair breakage and hair loss, as misidentification can lead to ineffective treatment.
Key points include:seeing your trichologist. #hairblog2020 #8762898087