What is Alopecia?
It’s the medical term for hair loss. Recent research has show that up to 50% of women can expect to experience some level of hair loss during their lifetime. Let’s dive into the different types of alopecia and what causes them because some are curable and some can only be postponed.
Some causes include:
- Stress
- Hormones
- Medications
- Genetics
- Hair Care
Types of Alopecia
- Alopecia Areata
Alopecia Areata is patchy hair loss which can appear anywhere on the body including the scalp, beard, eyebrows, lashes, armpits, nose, an ears. This type of alopecia is typically caused by autoimmune, stress, or genetics.
In majority of cases the hair falls out in round patches the size of a quarter. Sometimes it’s a few spots and sometimes it’s more extreme and lead to complete hair loss. It can affect anyone regardless of age or gender. Although, most cases occur before 30.
- Androgenetic Alopecia
Androgenetic Alopecia is described in the name because it’s pure genetics. This type is common for both men and women. It is also known as male pattern or female pattern baldness. However, we don’t typically use the term baldness at Lavish Locks.
The beginning stages of androgenetic alopecia are seen above the temples and over time the hairline recedes to form a characteristic M shape in males. For women, the part starts to thin out and then it spreads to the ears crown and scalp and forehead creating a diffused hair loss effect on the entire top of the head.
This type of hair loss cannot be cured but it has a chance of being postponed. It usually begins in the 30’s or 40’s but stress can cause it to happen sooner.
- Trichotillomania
Trichotillomania is a hair pulling disorder, or compulsive hair pulling. It can be on any area of the body that we grow hair, but it’s most common in the scalp, lashes, and brows. The cause is most likely genetic. There are ways to help limit the pulling, but it’s not usually cured. Hypnotherapy, hair additions, and diet have been able to help with this type of alopecia.
