Types of Hair Loss

If you are experiencing hair loss or thinning, please consult a dermatologist.

The following are the different types and/or causes of hair loss. Please note that hair loss is often referred to as Alopecia.

Illness

Some of the illnesses that may contribute to hair loss include: Lupus, Diabetes, Scleroderma, Polycystic Ovarian Disease, and Thyroid Disorders. Depression, Stress, and Anemia may also cause hair loss.

Improper Chemical Treatments

Dyes, tints, bleaches, straighteners, and permanent waves can cause hair loss if not used correctly or if used too often. If hair becomes weak or thin from chemical treatments, it is best to stop using them until the hair grows out.

Alopecia Totalis

This is loss of all the scalp hair.

Alopecia Universalis

This is when an individual experiences loss of all the body hair, including eyebrows and eyelashes.

Androgenetic Alopecia

Androgenetic alopecia is the most common cause of hair loss. Individuals normally have a genetic predisposition to this condition. It is most common in men (male pattern baldness); however women with this trait develop thinning hair, but do not become completely bald. Hereditary hair loss can start in one's teens, twenties, or thirties.

Alopecia Areata

Alopecia Areata is an autoimmune condition, where the body's immune system attacks the hair follicles mistaking them for foreign tissue. It is characterized by totally smooth, round patches about the size of a coin or larger. Alopecia areata affects children or adults of any age in generally excellent health. It can result in complete loss of scalp and body hair; however in most cases the hair regrows.