Hair loss often starts with a few stray hairs in the sink. Then you may notice them on the shoulder of your clothes. Before you know it, you’re giving your brush or comb dirty looks, knowing that they’re no allies.
The words of frustration crossing your lips may not be fit for print, but the type of hair loss you’re contending with is probably an equal mouthful. If you have the energy for only one pursuit, it’s smart to learn about the various types of hair loss. Whether or not you’re also mulling a hair restoration procedure, arming yourself with information is always the best way to deal with an issue that plagues more than one in five Americans, and mostly men.
Revisit Hair Loss Causes
Before you master the crush of vowels and consonants that define hair loss types, it may help to know why you may be losing your hair in the first place.
The most common reasons include:
- A medical condition or hormonal change
- A side effect from a medication, especially those that treat heart problems, high blood pressure and cancer
- Certain hair styles or heat treatments
- Heredity
- Radiation therapy
- Stress
Learn About Androgenetic Alopecia
The most common form of hair loss is hereditary. Medically speaking, it’s known as androgenetic alopecia, though laymen prefer the terms male- or female-pattern baldness. People born with this progressive condition are extra sensitive to the hormone DHT, short for dihydrotestosterone. DHT causes the body to produce finer, thinner hair over time. Men often notice their hairline receding; women often experience a widening part or patches of lost hair.
Learn About Involutional Alopecia
Hair that thins and falls out gradually, as someone ages, is known as involutional alopecia. This second most common form of hair loss causes hair to go into a lingering phase known as the “resting phase,” during which the remaining hair becomes finer, shorter and fewer in number.
Learn About Alopecia Areata
Autoimmune conditions can be scary for men and women alike, and alopecia areata is no exception. In this case, the immune system attacks healthy tissues, including hair follicles. In the worst cases, the condition can lead to alopecia totalis, which, as its name suggests, is complete hair loss.
Learn About Traction Alopecia
Hair follicles that are repeatedly strained by hairstyles such as buns, braids and ponytails are prone to a condition called traction alopecia. The condition can lead to thinning hair and bald spots along the temple or hairline. The good news is, hair can grow back once the hairstyle is altered.
Learn About Cicatricial Alopecia
One of the rarest types of hair loss is cicatricial alopecia, which is actually a group of conditions that destroys hair follicles and then replaces them with scar tissue. This is why cicatricial alopecia is also known as scarring alopecia. Once scarring occurs, hair doesn’t stand a chance to grow again.
Hair Restoration can Restore Hope
Any one of these hair loss types can trigger fear and anxiety. This is one of the reasons so many patients reach out to Dr. Joseph L. Williams at the Advanced Medical Hair Institute. As one of the foremost hair restoration surgeons in the world, Dr. Williams is an expert not only at restoring lost hair but also allaying feelings of fear and anxiety.
Call to schedule a free hair restoration consultation and revel in the knowledge that Dr. Williams’ name is no mouthful; only the gratitude you’ll feel for the results of his work will be.
