When you first see signs of hair loss (whether in the sink or the shower or some other way), your first concern isn’t the exact type of hair loss you have. It’s usually some sort of shock or disbelief, as it likely wasn’t something you were expecting, and especially something you weren’t looking forward to – that much is a given.
Hair loss is an issue that affects more than 20% of younger Americans (and approximately 50% of Americans over age 50), so it cannot hurt to learn which type is affecting you. It will arm you with the information you need to make a decision about next steps and potentially a hair restoration procedure.
Remember, some of the most common reasons for hair loss include:
- Genetics
- Stress
- Hormone changes or a medical condition
- Environmental factors
- Certain hair styles or heat treatments
- Radiation therapy
- Medicine side effects
Cicatricial Alopecia
One of the rarest types of inflammatory 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. It can be caused by skin injuries, burns, certain medical treatments, or autoimmune or inflammatory disorders. Symptoms include hair breakage, noticeable hair loss in the center of the scalp, a scaly or crusty scalp, and an itchy, painful or shiny scalp.
Involutional Alopecia
Hair that thins and falls out gradually, as someone ages, is known as involutional alopecia. Also known as senescent alopecia or senile alopecia (SA), 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. The resting phase is normal for the hair cycle, but with involutional alopecia, a greater number than normal go into this resting phase and the subsequent growth cycle is not the plentiful harvest of days past.
Traction Alopecia
Hair follicles that are repeatedly strained by hairstyles such as buns, braids and ponytails are prone to a condition called traction alopecia. It can also be caused by voluntary pulling of the hair. Wearing hats or caps is not known to have the same pulling effect and has been ruled out as a cause of hair loss. 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.
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 (it will likely get worse with time) 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. There is no avoiding this condition altogether, as it is genetically predetermined and there are no known preventative measures or medicines as of this writing.
Alopecia Areata
Autoimmune conditions can be scary for men and women alike, and alopecia areata is no exception. It also goes by the name, “spot baldness,” and 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. It can affect any area where the body grows hair, but is usually limited to the scalp and face. Hair falls out in small patches in most cases, and more extensively in other cases.
It’s a good thing that you won’t need to become an expert in the types of hair loss or how to treat them; we already have an expert for you. Contact us for a consultation today.
