Understanding Different Types of Hair Loss

Understanding Different Types of Hair Loss

Table of Contents

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I. Androgenetic Alopecia

II. Alopecia Areata

III. Telogen Effluvium

IV. Traction Alopecia

V. Cicatricial Alopecia

VI. Conclusion

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Your scalp is home to approximately 100,000 individual hairs, each going through cycles of growth, rest, shedding, and regeneration. It's completely normal to experience some hair loss daily as part of this natural process. However, when this cycle is disrupted, or hair follicles are compromised, hair loss can occur at a faster rate than regrowth, leading to common symptoms such as a receding hairline, bald patches, or overall thinning on the scalp or body. ¹

Hair loss can stem from a variety of factors, including genetics, medical conditions, and behaviors that harm the follicles. ¹ While losing your hair can be upsetting, understanding the underlying factors can point the way to solutions. In this article, we’ll explore hair loss types and discuss their causes.

Androgenetic Alopecia

The most prevalent form of hair loss is androgenetic alopecia, affecting over 50 million men and 30 million women in the United States. While the hair loss pattern differs between the sexes, the cause is hereditary and the condition manageable. ¹

• Male pattern baldness can begin at any time after puberty. Hair loss typically starts above the temples and then progresses around the perimeter and top of the head over years or decades. This leaves many men with just a ring of hair along the bottom scalp. Hair loss treatments can include oral finasteride or topical minoxidil.
• Female pattern baldness involves a more diffuse thinning of hair across the scalp, with the hairline generally maintaining its position. While this type of hair loss is commonly associated with aging in women, it can start at any point post puberty. Although female pattern hair loss can result in significant hair thinning, it rarely leads to complete baldness. Hair loss treatments can include topical minoxidil. ¹

Alopecia Areata

Alopecia areata is a perplexing autoimmune condition in which your body's immune system mistakenly attacks healthy hair follicles, causing hair to fall out in small patches. For reasons not fully understood, the immune system sees hair follicles as foreign and launches an assault against them. This results in hair loss that can start suddenly, often without any discomfort or pain. ¹

The hair loss typically begins with small, round bald spots about the size of a quarter, usually on the scalp. ² However, the effects of alopecia areata may not stop there. You could also lose your eyebrows, eyelashes, and body hair. For some people, the hair loss spreads over time into alopecia totalis, which is the complete loss of hair. ¹

While researchers have yet to determine the precise triggers for this autoimmune reaction, genetics appears to play a role. If you have a close family member with alopecia areata, your odds of developing it increase. Scientists have also linked several genes to the condition. ²

In addition to genetics, alopecia areata is more likely to appear in people with other autoimmune disorders, such as:

• Psoriasis
• Thyroid disease
• Vitiligo
• Allergies such as hay fever ²

Telogen Effluvium

Telogen effluvium happens when lots of hair follicles on your scalp suddenly enter the resting phase at the same time. Normally, about 15% of your hair is in this resting telogen phase, while the other 85% is actively growing (anagen phase). But with telogen effluvium, up to 70% of your follicles enter telogen, causing hair shedding and thinning. ³

Don't panic, though - telogen effluvium is usually temporary. You may lose up to 300 to 500 hairs per day at the peak, but your hair will likely grow back once the body recovers. ¹

Various medical events or conditions can trigger telogen effluvium, including:

• Thyroid imbalance
• Childbirth
• Surgery
• Fever
• Vitamin or mineral deficiency
• Certain medications, such as isotretinoin or warfarin
• Starting or stopping birth control ¹

Typically, telogen effluvium starts about three months after the initial trigger. If the underlying cause is temporary, such as recovering from an illness, hair regrowth may occur after approximately six months. ¹

Traction Alopecia

Traction alopecia occurs when excessive pulling on hair follicles causes them to become damaged and eventually fall out. This can result in thinning hair or even bald spots if the damaging hairstyle is not changed. ¹

Here are some common culprits that can lead to traction alopecia:

• Regularly wearing tight hairstyles
• Using hair extensions
• Using chemical relaxers and rollers
• The weight of excessively long hair ¹

Fortunately, in most cases, hair can grow back once the damaging hairstyle is stopped. However, if you keep wearing the same hairstyle for a prolonged period, you may experience irreversible hair loss. ¹

Cicatricial Alopecia

Cicatricial alopecia occurs when inflammation destroys hair follicles, replacing them with scar tissue and preventing any new hair from growing. ⁴

Unfortunately, the cause of this condition is not well understood. You may slowly start shedding more hair over time without even noticing. Or your hair could start falling out rapidly all at once. ⁴ Other signs to watch for include:

• Severe itching
• Swelling
• Red or white lesions on the scalp that may resemble a rash ⁴

If you start to notice these symptoms, see a dermatologist right away for an evaluation. They can determine if you have cicatricial alopecia and start treatment with anti-inflammatories or antibiotics. ⁴

Conclusion

If you find yourself experiencing a concerning amount of hair shedding daily, it is crucial to consult a dermatologist as soon as possible.

Hair loss has many potential causes, from genetics to medical conditions, medications, stress, and damage from hairstyles and hair treatments. With so many factors at play, it's best to make an appointment with a dermatologist when experiencing excessive hair fallout. They can help determine what's causing your hair loss through exams, lab tests, and a review of your health and family history. Based on the cause, they may recommend treatments like minoxidil, finasteride, or even hair transplants.