Are you clogging the shower drain lately? Before you panic, it’s worth understanding what’s actually happening. Not all hair loss is the same, and knowing whether you’re dealing with hair fall or hair breakage is the first step towards fixing it.
Hair Fall vs Hair Breakage: What’s the Difference?
Hair fall happens when a hair sheds from the root, complete with a tiny white bulb at the end. This is a natural part of the growth cycle, and losing 50 to 100 hairs a day is considered normal. Breakage, on the other hand, happens mid-shaft. The hair simply snaps due to weakness, leaving shorter, frayed pieces without any root attached.
Learning about the common hair fall reasons can help you tell the two apart. Genuine hair fall is often linked to stress, hormonal changes, nutritional gaps, or seasonal shedding. Breakage tends to stem from harsh brushing, heat styling, chemical treatments, or dryness. If you’re spotting short, broken pieces rather than full strands with roots, breakage is likely the culprit, and that calls for a different hair fall solution altogether.
What’s the Best Shampoo to Stop Hair Fall?
A good shampoo won’t stop genuine hair fall on its own, but it can significantly reduce hair fall caused by breakage from daily handling. Look for a shampoo that gently cleanses while reinforcing the hair fibre.
Kérastase Genesis Bain Hydra-Fortifiant Shampoo is formulated for normal to oily hair prone to weakening, using edelweiss native cells and ginger root to strengthen from the first wash. For drier hair, the Genesis Bain Nutri-Fortifiant Shampoo offers richer nourishment while still working to reduce breakage from brushing.
What’s the Best Serum to Control Hair Fall and Strengthen Hair?
A targeted scalp serum works differently to a shampoo, as it’s designed to reach the root directly. The Kérastase Genesis Sérum Fortifiant is a daily leave-in treatment enriched with aminexil, ginger root, and edelweiss native cells. It’s applied straight to the scalp to help re-anchor hair at the root and build a healthier environment for future growth, making it a solid addition to any routine focused on strengthening weakened hair.
Can Using Hair Serum Actually Cause Hair Fall?
This is a common worry, but the answer is generally no, provided the serum is formulated correctly and used as directed. A well-made scalp serum, like the Kérastase Genesis range, is designed to strengthen hair and support the scalp rather than clog follicles or weigh hair down.
That said, using too much product, skipping a patch test, or choosing a serum with heavy silicones and unsuitable ingredients for your scalp type could lead to build-up and irritation, which may worsen shedding. Always apply serum to a clean scalp in the recommended amount, and give it time, as consistent daily use over several weeks usually shows better results than sporadic application.
Conclusion
Telling hair fall and breakage apart isn’t always straightforward, but paying attention to how your hair is thinning makes a real difference in choosing the right fix. Once you understand the reason behind the shedding, you can build a routine that actually targets the problem.
If you’re still unsure where to start, taking a short hair quiz can help match you with a routine suited to your specific hair type and concerns.
