Hair Restoration in McLean, VA, Richmond, VA and Virginia Beach

What Is the Difference Between Hair Shedding and Hair Loss?

You might assume that excessive hair shedding and hair loss are the same problem. In fact, there are significant differences. If you’re concerned about your hair, you could consult a physician at a hair loss clinic near McLean. The physician can determine whether you’re experiencing a temporary problem such as excessive hair shedding or if you require medical hair restoration because of hair loss. Hair restoration can help renew your confidence in your appearance.

Understanding Telogen Effluvium

On a typical human scalp, about 80 to 90 percent of the follicles are in the anagen phase, during which they are actively growing hair. The rest of the follicles are in the telogen phase, which is a resting period. The follicles continuously cycle through the anagen and telogen phases. Once a follicle has gone through the telogen phase, it sheds the hair and then goes into the active growing phase again. Normally, people shed up to 100 hairs per day. Shedding significantly more hairs than this is a condition known as telogen effluvium. Although excessive hair shedding can be worrisome, it’s only temporary and does not require hair loss treatment. Telogen effluvium can occur when the body experiences significant physical or mental stressors, such as significant weight loss, a major illness, or a surgery. Discontinuing birth control pills, giving birth, and experiencing a life-changing event can also trigger telogen effluvium, which generally occurs a couple of months after the stressor.

Diagnosing Anagen Effluvium

As the term suggests, anagen effluvium is a condition in which the hair no longer grows. This condition isn’t always permanent. For example, a person going through chemotherapy may lose a significant amount of hair. It may gradually grow back once that person is in remission. However, other underlying causes of hair loss in women and men do require medical treatment. These include a genetic predisposition to hair loss, such as male pattern baldness or female pattern baldness. Other possible causes of hair loss include hormonal imbalances, scalp infections, skin disorders, and certain medications.

Combating Hair Loss: FUE and FUT

Have you noticed that your hair is thinning? Many people experience hair loss from their heads as well as other areas of the body, such as the eyebrows. Hair loss can affect your self-confidence and make you look older than you actually are. If you are experiencing thinning hair, it’s time to investigate hair restoration in McLean. FUE, or follicular unit extraction, uses a special instrument to extract healthy hair follicles and then transplant them to areas where hair is thinning. FUT, or follicular unit transplantation, takes a larger strip from the scalp, which is then divided into smaller units that are transplanted to recipient sites. Both hair restoration procedures have their own unique advantages, so explore this infographic to learn more about each. You can have the fuller, thicker head of hair you remember with hair restoration. Please share this useful info with your friends and family.

““