Our hair is often tied to how we feel about ourselves. Thick, healthy hair is often associated with youth and vitality, while changes in our hair, like thinning, can feel like a major blow to our self-esteem.
One of the first places many people notice hair thinning is along their part. But how can you tell the difference between a normal hair part and thinning hair?
That’s exactly what we’ll cover in this article. We’ll explore:
- What a “normal” hair part looks like
- How to spot the signs of a thinning hair part
- Common causes of hair thinning
- How to assess the overall health of your hair part
- Potential solutions and treatments for thinning hair
Early detection is key when it comes to addressing hair loss. So, let’s dive in and learn how to tell the difference between a normal hair part vs thinning and what you can do about it.
What is a normal hair part?
The part in your hair is simply the line on your scalp where your hair separates and falls to either side. You may have a natural part, or you may create a part when you style your hair.
Your hair part can play a role in the health of your hair. When you part your hair properly, you can minimize tension and stress on your hair follicles, which helps your hair look thicker and fuller.
What does a healthy hair part look like?
A normal, healthy hair part has a few distinct qualities:
- It’s narrow and well defined.
- You can see very little of your scalp.
- The hair is evenly distributed on both sides of the part.
Of course, hair density plays a role in how visible your part is. If you have very thick hair, your part will be less visible than if you have fine hair. Fine hair tends to make a part look wider.
Your scalp’s health also affects how your part looks. If your scalp is healthy, it will be free of dryness, oiliness, and infections. Scalp conditions can affect hair growth and the appearance of your part.
Recognizing the Signs of Thinning Hair
How can you tell the difference between a normal hair part and one that’s showing signs of thinning?
Widening of the Hair Part
The most obvious sign of thinning hair is a widening hair part. The part will become more noticeable and less defined than it used to be, and you’ll probably notice that you can see more of your scalp along the part.
If you’re not sure if your part is wider than normal, compare how it looks now to photos from the past. It can be hard to notice gradual changes over time, so a side-by-side comparison might be helpful.
Increased Scalp Visibility
Besides a widening part, you may also notice that you can see more of your scalp in general, even when you style your hair as usual. This is especially true in bright light.
Other Signs of Thinning Hair
Beyond the part itself, there are other signs that your hair may be thinning. These include:
- Increased hair shedding. It’s normal to lose some hair every day, but if you’re losing more than 50 to 100 strands, it could be a sign of thinning.
- Reduced hair volume and overall thickness.
- Changes in hair texture. Thinning hair may become finer or more brittle.
Common Causes of Thinning Hair Parts
If you’re noticing that your hair part seems to be getting wider, there could be several reasons why.
Genetic Factors
Genetics play a significant role in hair thinning, especially a condition called androgenetic alopecia. This is also known as male or female pattern baldness, and it’s a hereditary condition that affects about half of all men and women. With androgenetic alopecia, your hair follicles gradually shrink, which leads to hair that’s thinner and shorter.
Hormonal Changes
Hormones can also affect the health of your hair. Times of hormonal fluctuation, like pregnancy, menopause, or having polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), can cause imbalances that disrupt your hair’s growth cycle, which can lead to thinning.
Lifestyle and Environmental Contributors
Your lifestyle and environment can also contribute to hair thinning. For example, if you aren’t getting enough iron, zinc, or protein in your diet, that could be a factor. Chronic stress can also disrupt your hormone levels and hair growth. And using a lot of heat when you style your hair, harsh chemical treatments, or tight hairstyles can damage your hair follicles and cause thinning.
Medical Conditions and Medications
Certain medical conditions can also affect your hair. Thyroid disorders, autoimmune diseases, and scalp infections can all contribute to hair thinning. Some medications, like chemotherapy drugs, blood thinners, and antidepressants, can also cause hair loss as a side effect.
How to assess your hair part health
A few techniques can help you monitor your hair part and determine whether its appearance is changing.
Techniques for monitoring hair part changes
It’s a good idea to check your hair part regularly and watch for changes. Examine your part in good light and note how wide it looks and how much scalp you can see. Compare the way your part looks now to how it looked in previous photos to see if you notice any differences.
Checking your part on a regular schedule will help you notice changes over time. Try checking it weekly or monthly.
Tools and resources for self-assessment
A few simple tools can help you monitor the look and feel of your hair.
- A magnifying glass will let you examine your scalp and hair follicles more closely.
- Photos of your hair part, taken from different angles over time, will help you document changes.
If you have concerns about your hair, seeing a dermatologist can be a good idea. A dermatologist can accurately diagnose what’s going on and recommend a course of treatment.
Solutions for Addressing Thinning Hair Parts
If you’re concerned about a widening part, there are several steps you can take to address it.
Hair Care Practices to Maintain Part Health
Gentle hair care can minimize damage and encourage healthy hair growth. Try the following:
- Use gentle shampoos and conditioners that don’t contain harsh chemicals.
- Avoid heat styling tools and chemical treatments, such as perms or relaxers.
- Choose hairstyles that don’t pull on your hair follicles.
Topical Treatments
Topical treatments can sometimes stimulate hair growth right where you need it.
- Minoxidil (Rogaine) is an over-the-counter medication that can help to increase hair density when applied to the scalp.
- Essential oils like rosemary and peppermint oil may promote hair growth and improve the health of your scalp.
Oral Medications
Oral medications can treat hair thinning from the inside out.
- Finasteride (Propecia) is a prescription medication that blocks the production of DHT, a hormone that contributes to hair loss.
Medical Procedures
If lifestyle changes and medications don’t give you the results you’re looking for, you may want to consider medical procedures.
- Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) uses light to stimulate hair follicles and promote growth.
- Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy involves injecting concentrated platelets into the scalp to stimulate hair growth.
- Hair transplants involve surgically moving hair follicles from one area of the scalp to another.
Summary
A normal hair part is typically narrow and well-defined, with very little scalp showing through. A thinning hair part, on the other hand, will appear wider and more noticeable, revealing more of your scalp. This widening can be a sign of underlying hair loss.
Regularly checking your hair part is a good way to catch early signs of thinning. Early detection and intervention are key to successful treatment, so it’s important to be vigilant.
If you’re concerned about a widening hair part, talk to a healthcare professional. A dermatologist can accurately diagnose the cause of your hair thinning and recommend the most appropriate treatment options for you. They can also rule out other medical conditions that may be contributing to the problem.
While there are no guarantees, thinning hair can often grow back with the right treatment and lifestyle changes. Many treatments can help slow down or even reverse hair loss, so don’t lose hope.