About Alopecia
NATURE IS OUR FRIEND
Most people lose 50 to 100 hairs per day as part of this natural cycle. If this cycle is disrupted, or if a hair follicle is damaged, hair may begin to fall out more quickly than it is regenerated, leading to symptoms such as a receding hairline, hair falling out in patches, or overall thinning.
Hair loss may be linked to a person’s genetics, although many medical and behavioral conditions may interrupt the growth cycle and cause hair loss.
There are many types of hair loss,
also called alopecia
Androgenetic Alopecia
Androgenetic Alopecia is a genetically predetermined disorder due to excessive response to androgens which affects up to 50% of males and females. Androgenetic alopecia is the most common type of hair loss, affecting more than 50 million men and 30 million women in the United States. Commonly known as male pattern hair loss or female pattern hair loss. They both have a common genetic cause. With Male Pattern Baldness, hair loss typically occurs on the top and front of the head. With Female Pattern Baldness, thinning occurs on the top and crown of the head. This thinning in women often starts as a widening of the center hair part that leaves the front hairline unaffected.
Alopecia Areata
Alopecia Areata is sudden hair loss that starts with one or more circular bald patches that may overlap. Alopecia Areata occurs when the immune system attacks hair follicles, and may be brought on by severe stress. The main symptom is hair loss. Treatment may address any underlying conditions and includes topical scalp medications. The amount of hair loss is different in everyone. Some people lose it only in a few sops. Others lose a lot. This condition can affect adults and children, and hair loss can begin suddenly and without warning. Hair from the scalp typically falls out in small patches and is not painful. Hair in other parts of the body, including the eyebrows and eyelashes, may also fall out. Over time, this disease may lead to alopecia totalis, or complete hair loss.
Telogen Effluvium
Telogen Effluvium is temporary hair thinning over the scalp that occurs because of changes in the growth cycle of hair. A large number of hairs enter the resting phase at the same time, causing hair shedding and subsequent thinning. Telogen effluvium does not generally lead to complete baldness, although you may lose 300 to 500 hairs per day, and hair may appear thin, especially at the crown and temples. Common triggers of telogen effluvium include childbirth, severe trauma or illness, a stressful or major life event, marked weight loss and extreme dieting, a severe skin problem affecting the scalp, a new medication or withdrawal of a hormone treatment. Telogen effluvium usually begins three months after a medical event. If the triggering event is temporary—for example, if you recover from an illness or stop taking the medication causing the hair loss—your hair may grow back after six months. Telogen effluvium is considered chronic if hair loss lasts longer than six months.
Traction Alopecia
Traction Alopecia results from damaged hair follicles due to constant tension or pulling over a long period of time. Repeatedly wearing tight hairstyles, such as ponytails, buns or braids, can cause traction alopecia. This condition typically occurs near the temples or along the hairline. African-American women often experience this type of hair loss at their edges, which is the hairline area that goes from ear to ear and frames the face.
Involutional Alopecia
Involutional Alopecia is a natural condition in which the hair gradually thins with age. More hair follicles go into the resting phase, and the remaining hairs become shorter and fewer in number.
Alopecia Universalis
Alopecia Universalis causes all body hair to fall out, including the eyebrows, eyelashes, and pubic hair.