At least a third of women are affected by the problem of hair thinning. There can be a number of underlying reasons, but unlike men, women typically face this problem without going completely bald. Before trying to deep dive into it, you need to understand what is causing the hair to stick to your brush and shoulders instead of staying on your scalp.
No, they are not the same. While hair thinning pertains to a decrease in the mass or density of the hair, hair loss is the complete loss of the hair follicle. So, you may continue to get scanty hair growth on your scalp, but in case of hair loss, without rejuvenating the follicle, chances of hair growth are close to none.
Some common causes of hair thinning include ageing, hormonal changes, vitamin deficiencies (especially vitamin D and B12), alopecia, infections, pregnancy, stress, underlying diseases, medications, and an imbalanced diet. PCOS/PCOD seems to be one of the major causes of hair thinning, given the rising number of women who are suffering from this lifestyle disease.
Hair loss has similar causes to hair thinning, along with psychological disorders, such as the hair-pulling disorder, Trichotillomania. It could also be because of radiation, certain medications, heredity, and other almost irreversible problems that cause the hair follicle to die altogether.
In case of hair loss or thinning, you should use mild shampoos that don’t cause a lot of friction, frizziness, or breakage. Look out for ingredients like Amla, Bhringaraj, Neem, Aloe Vera, Hibiscus, Loha Bhasma, and Vidanga-based Sesame or Coconut oil. These ingredients are great to have, not just in your shampoos but in your hair oil, conditioners, hair masks, and other products you’re using to maintain your tresses. They help reduce hair fall, thinning, and hair loss.
In addition to healthy lifestyle practices, hair fall control oils work wonders too. Again, look out for ingredients like Amla, Bhringaraj, Neem, Aloe Vera, Hibiscus, Loha Bhasma, and Vidanga-based Sesame or Coconut oil. You can oil your hair once a week, maximum twice a week.