The vast majority of us will experience some form of hair loss at some point in our lives. The good news is that modern medicine offers many options to halt, slow down, or reverse it, should one desire to do so. Before one can determine how to address their hair loss, it is imperative to determine what is causing it.
What Are the Common Types of Hair Loss?
There are dozens of hair loss causes, but some of the most common include the following:
Androgenic alopecia, also known as male pattern baldness, is the most common form of hair loss, impacting nearly 80 percent of men over the course of their lifetime. Nearly half of women experience its counterpart, female pattern baldness.
In men, androgenic alopecia presents as a distinctive M-shaped receding hairline, sometimes accompanied by a growing circular spot of hair loss at the crown of the scalp. In women, this type of alopecia leads to a widening part and overall hair thinning throughout the scalp. Androgenic alopecia is permanent and is caused by genetics interacting with age-related hormonal changes. While it can’t be stopped, the progression of androgenic alopecia can be slowed down with treatment, or reversed with hair replacement surgery.
- Telogen effluvium is when psychological or physical stress disrupts the hair’s normal growth cycle. This disruption causes excess shedding across the scalp and slowed regrowth. If the stressor is mitigated, hair typically resumes a normal growth pattern within several months.
- Traction alopecia is a condition that results from tightly pulled hairstyles or from restrictive headwear that repeatedly and persistently irritates or pulls the hair follicles. In addition to lost or broken hair, symptoms may include inflammation, itchiness, redness, or pimple-like bumps on the scalp. It may be reversible in some cases, especially if addressed early. If not, the hair loss may become permanent unless one undergoes a hair replacement treatment.
- Alopecia areata occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks the hair follicles, causing small, circular patches of hair loss that can grow and eventually overlap. Alopecia areata may be part of a larger immune system disorder, and it is often triggered by illness, injury, or stress. It may be reversible if the underlying health issue is addressed.
- Cicatricial alopecia, commonly known as scarring alopecia, results in shiny patches of hair loss, sometimes with blistering, redness, or scaling on the scalp. Scarring alopecia may be caused by autoimmune issues, infections, burns, accidents, or chemical exposure. Once the scalp is scarred, hair will not grow back. But hair replacement surgery is a treatment option in many cases.
How Do I Know What Type of Hair Loss I Have?
While the symptoms mentioned above may suggest what type of hair loss you have, there is no substitute for an official diagnosis from a qualified medical professional. When you make your initial appointment with us, we will ask questions about your health and hair loss and perform an examination of your hair and scalp. If necessary, we will order additional testing. This process allows us to determine the underlying cause of your hair loss and to suggest the most effective treatment.
What Hair Type Loses the Most Hair?
There is no hair type that is most likely to experience hair loss. All kinds of hair, from stick straight to tightly curled, from extra-fine to ultra-thick strands, are subject to the same genetic, health, and lifestyle factors that cause hair loss.
Fine hair looks thinner after increased shedding, but it is not more prone to hair loss than thick hair. Curly hair may seem like it falls out more often than straight hair, but it is possible the problem is breakage due to tangling and styling, not actual shedding.
How Do I Know If My Hair Loss Is Normal?
If you are losing more than 50-100 hair strands per day, this is considered excessive shedding and may be a cause for concern. If your hair part is widening, your hairline is receding at the temples or along the top of your forehead, you could be experiencing greater than normal hair loss.
Rothesay Laser & Hair Clinic Is Your Trusted Source for Hair Restoration
Whether you are experiencing all over shedding, a receding hairline, or patchy hair loss, the team at Rothesay Laser & Hair Clinic will perform a thorough examination to determine the cause of your hair loss and formulate a plan to address it. Contact us to set up a free consultation. We look forward to hearing from you and helping you achieve the hairline you desire.
