Table of Contents
Andro Genetic Alopecia – Pattern Hair Loss
Androgenetic Alopcia (AGA) – also known as Male or Female pattern hair loss or pattern baldness. This is the most common type of hair loss. This affects approximately 60 million people in America: 40 million males and 20 million females. About 95% of the men and women who lose their hair can attribute their hair thinning and hairloss to pattern hairloss. This type of hair loss is the result of genetics (ie: heredity). It is widely believed that the genetics of pattern hair loss in men and women are associated with a fairly large number of genes (at least eight genes are already known) interacting in intricate orchestration. This is one reason why there are so many degrees and variations of pattern hair loss among both Men and Women.
Alopecia Areata
Alopecia Areata (AA) – a sudden loss of hair in round irregular patches, where the scalp is not visibly inflamed. This type of hair loss occurs in individuals who have no obvious skin disorders or serious disease. The cause is unknown, but may be related to stress or auto-immune disease. Alopecia Areata may be confined to a few areas of the scalp and is often reversed in a few months. According to the National Alopecia Areata Foundation, an estimated four million men, women and children suffer from this type of hair loss.
Postpartum Alopecia
Postpartum Alopecia – a temporary scattered hair loss at the end of pregnancy.
Telogen Effluvium
Telogen Efflivium – a premature shedding of hair in the resting or telogen phase, which can result from various causes such as childbirth, shock, side effects of various medications, fever, etc. Some women also experience sudden hair loss when they discontinue use of birth control pills or follow extreme diets too low in protein. The hair loss is usually reversed once the condition is resolved. You can learn more about the three stages of normal hair growth.
Traction or Traumatic Alopecia
Patchy or scattered hair loss due to the use of hot combs (including hot curling irons and straightening irons) or repetitive traction of the hair by pulling or twisting. This type of hair loss could also occur after excessive applications of chemical agents such as relaxers and permanent waves, especially those that use lye-based perms and colorings. This condition is usually reversed once the trauma is stopped.
