What Is Diffuse Hair Thinning And What Can You Do About It?
Noticed increased hair shedding across your whole scalp? You could be experiencing diffuse hair thinning, or diffuse alopecia. Alopecia is the medical term for hair loss.
Like any form of hair loss, diffuse hair thinning can be worrying – but, depending on the cause and other factors, it may be reversible.
Learn more about how to distinguish diffuse alopecia, who it affects, and potential treatments to restore hair health and thickness.
What is diffuse hair thinning and how is it different from pattern hair loss?
Diffuse hair thinning is hair loss that affects the whole scalp equally, unlike localized alopecia (patchy hair loss) or androgenetic alopecia (male or female pattern hair loss).
How to distinguish types of hair loss:
- Diffuse alopecia: shedding across the whole scalp of more than the normal amount of 50-100 hairs per day. Advanced diffuse hair thinning can lead to a receding hairline.
- Localized alopecia: also known as focal alopecia or alopecia areata, localized hair loss presents as bald patches.
- Androgenetic alopecia: also known as pattern baldness, androgenetic alopecia is genetic and affects men and women differently. Men usually notice a receding hairline or crown thinning first, which gradually spreads across the top of the head and can eventually lead to complete baldness. In women, thinning occurs on top of the head, and the central parting widens in a ‘Christmas tree’ formation with the widest part at the front.
Common causes of diffuse hair thinning in women and men
Anyone of any age can experience diffuse hair loss, as it is usually caused by an event or condition that interrupts the hair growth cycle.
The most common cause of diffuse hair thinning is telogen effluvium. Telogen is the ‘resting phase’ of the hair cycle, which lasts for 2-3 months before the hair naturally falls out. Effluvium means ‘abnormal hair shedding’. A trigger event can cause hairs in their anagen phase – the growth phase, which normally lasts 2-6 years – to prematurely enter the catagen phase (the 4-6 week transitional phase), followed by the telogen phase. This leads to excessive shedding a few months after the trigger event.
Trigger events can include:
- Stress or trauma
- Hormone changes including menopause
- Childbirth and postpartum
- Vitamin deficiencies, commonly iron deficiency
- Infections like syphilis
- Medical conditions like thyroid disorders, liver disease and Crohn’s disease
- Acute illness or fever
- Medications
- Malnutrition
- Aging.
Signs you may be experiencing diffuse hair loss
Signs of diffuse hair thinning include:
- Excessive hair in your hairbrush, on your pillow, or coming out in the shower
- Being able to see your scalp through your hair – hair will be thinned out across the scalp, leaving your crown and mid-scalp more visible
- Hairline recession (in advanced cases).
You can conduct a hair pull test to see if your hair is shedding more than normal. Do this by isolating a group of 40-60 hairs and gently pulling. More than 10% of the hairs easily coming out is classed as excessive hair loss.
Is diffuse hair thinning reversible?
The good news is that diffuse hair loss can be reversible. In cases of telogen effluvium caused by stress or a resolvable medical issue, the issue is often temporary, and hair usually grows back with time. In other cases, like those linked to aging or ongoing conditions, diffuse alopecia may be long-term.
Where diffuse alopecia persists, you can take action to help stop thinning hair and preserve your existing hair. Whether it’s taking vitamins and supplements, using hair care products for thinning hair, or looking into medical treatment, there are ways to help you feel confident again when experiencing hair loss.
Proven treatments for diffuse hair thinning
Thinning hair treatments include:
- Lifestyle changes: depending on the case, diffuse hair thinning can be reversed by addressing the root cause, like changing a medication, reducing stress, or treating an underlying condition. Your healthcare provider will work with you to identify the source.
- Scalp massage: stimulate blood flow to hair follicles by using your fingers or a scalp massager for hair growth each day.
- Vitamins and supplements: iron deficiency is commonly associated with telogen effluvium, so your healthcare provider may test for this when investigating the cause of your diffuse thinning. Making sure you get enough iron and vitamin D is recommended if you’re concerned about hair loss.
- Medication: Minoxidil and Finasteride are FDA-approved medications for treating alopecia. Minoxidil is topical, meaning it’s applied directly to the scalp, and can be used by men and women. Finasteride is taken orally and is only suitable for men.
Hair care products and routines that support regrowth
Another treatment option – that combines well with other treatments – is using hair care products for thinning hair. Nioxin’s collection of thinning hair products form a complete routine, designed for use every day to improve scalp health and grow thicker hair.
Choose from a range of:
- Serums: target your hair concern with leave-in serums including our Hair Fall Defense and Night Density Rescue products.
- Shampoos: use a daily shampoo like the Hair Fall Defense Shampoo for visibly less hair fall in 12 weeks, formulated with caffeine to stimulate hair follicles.
- Conditioners: opt for a conditioner that targets thinning hair for a thickening effect.
- System kits: from light to progressed thinning, and for natural or colored hair, select the Nioxin System Kit that matches your hair type. Each kit includes a shampoo, conditioner and leave-in treatment formulated for increased hair density and fullness.
- Supplements: our Hair Growth Supplements help ensure you get enough vitamins and minerals to support healthy growing hair, including biotin and iron.
Take the first step toward fuller, thicker hair
Nioxin’s thinning hair range is clinically and dermatologically tested to help you restore your hair’s former glory after diffuse alopecia. Simply use in place of your current hair products to see improved fullness and density from 30 days’ time.
FAQs about diffuse hair thinning
Can hair grow back after diffuse thinning?
Yes, thinning hair is reversible in some cases. Depending on the cause, telogen effluvium is often temporary, but sometimes the problem can persist long-term.
Speak to your healthcare provider to help you identify the cause of your diffuse hair thinning and what can be done to treat it.
Can iron deficiency cause diffuse hair thinning?
Yes, iron deficiency anemia is often associated with telogen effluvium. You might need a blood test to check your iron levels when investigating medical causes for alopecia.
How can I stop diffuse hair thinning early?
How to stop thinning hair in its early stages:
- Working with your healthcare provider to diagnose and identify the cause of diffuse hair loss
- Eating a healthy diet, taking supplements, and making other lifestyle changes known to help thinning hair
- Using hair care products designed for thinning hair
Taking medications like Minoxidil or Finasteride if recommended by your healthcare provider.
Sources: DermNet, https://dermnetnz.org/topics/diffuse-alopecia Birmingham Dermatology Clinic, https://www.birminghamdermatologyclinic.co.uk/blog/what-is-diffuse-thinning-and-what-can-be-done-to-prevent-it/ National Library of Medicine, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK538178/ National Library of Medicine, https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12187474/ PubMed, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19487557/ Wimpole Clinic, https://wimpoleclinic.com/blog/diffuse-thinning-signs-symptoms-and-treatment-options/