What types of hair loss are there?

Hair loss types

Hair loss, also alopecia called hair loss, is a disorder caused by an interruption in the body's hair production cycle. Hair loss can occur anywhere on the body, but most commonly affects the scalp. On average, the scalp has 100,000 hairs that move through periods of growth, rest, shedding and regeneration.

A hair growth cycle consists of three phases. During the anagen phase, the hair grows actively. This phase can last for years. During the catagen phase, the hair stops growing and detaches from its follicle, the structure under the skin that holds the hair in place. The catagen phase lasts about 10 days. During the telogen phase, the follicle rests for two or three months and then the hair falls out. The next anagen phase begins when new hair grows in the same follicle. Most people lose 50 to 100 hairs per day during this natural cycle.

If this cycle is interrupted or if a hair follicle is damaged, the hair can fall out faster than it is regenerated, leading to symptoms such as receding hairline, hair loss in patches, or general thinning.

Hair loss can be used with the Genetics a person's hair, although many health and behavioral disorders can interrupt the growth cycle and cause hair loss. At NYU Langone, dermatologists specialize in hair and scalp disorders and can identify both the type of hair loss and its cause.

Androgenetic alopecia - hair loss

Androgenetic alopecia is the most common form of hair loss and affects more than 50 million men and 30 million women in the United States. Commonly known as male pattern baldness or female hair loss, androgenetic alopecia is hereditary, but can be treated with medication or surgery.

Male hair loss

In men, hair loss can begin any time after puberty and progress for years or decades. It begins above the temples and continues around the circumference and top of the head, often leaving a ring of hair along the underside of the scalp. Many men with male pattern hair loss eventually go bald.

Female pattern hair loss

In women, the hair on the entire scalp slowly thins, but the hairline does not usually recede. Many women experience this type of hair loss as a natural part of ageing, although hair loss can start at any time after puberty. Hair loss in women can lead to dramatic thinning of the hair, but rarely leads to baldness.

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telogen effluvium

Telogen effluvium, a type of hair loss, occurs when a large number of follicles on the scalp enter the resting phase of the hair growth cycle, called telogen, but the next growth phase does not begin. This causes hair to fall out all over the scalp without new hair growth.

Telogen effluvium generally does not cause complete baldness, although you may lose 300 to 500 hairs per day and the hair may appear thin, especially at the crown and temples.

A medical event or condition such as a thyroid imbalance, childbirth, surgery, or fever usually triggers this type of hair loss. Telogen effluvium can also occur as a result of a vitamin or mineral deficiency (Iron deficiency is a common cause of hair loss in women) or taking certain medications such as isotretinoin for acne or warfarin (blood thinner). Starting or stopping oral contraceptives (Birth control pills) can also lead to this type of hair loss.

Telogen effluvium usually starts three months after a medical event. If the triggering event is temporary, such as when 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 the hair loss lasts longer than six months.

For reasons that are unclear to doctors, this type of hair loss can last for years in some people. If the hair does not grow back on its own, our dermatologists can offer medications that can help.

Anagen effluvium - hair loss

Anagen effluvium is rapid hair loss that results from medical treatment such as chemotherapy. These effective and fast-acting drugs kill cancer cells, but can also affect hair follicle production in the scalp and other parts of the body. After chemotherapy ends, hair usually grows back on its own. Dermatologists can offer medications to help hair grow back faster.

Hair loss: Alopecia Areata

Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disease in which the body's immune system attacks healthy tissues, including the hair follicles. This causes hair to fall out and no new hair to grow.

This condition can affect adults and children, and hair loss can begin suddenly and without warning. Hair from the scalp usually falls out in small patches and is not painful. Hair in other parts of the body, including eyebrows and eyelashes, may also fall out. Over time, this condition can lead to alopecia totalis or complete hair loss.

Dermatologists treat alopecia areata with medications that can help with hair regrowth. If you would like to talk to other people who suffer from alopecia areata, NYU Langone hosts a monthly support group for people with the condition.

tinea capitis

Tinea capitis, also called scalp ringworm, is a fungal infection of the scalp that is a common cause of Hair loss in children is. This condition causes hair to fall out in sometimes circular patches, resulting in bald patches that can grow larger over time.

The affected areas often look red or scaly and the Scalp may itch. Sores or blisters that swell pus may also develop on the scalp. A child with this condition may have swollen glands on the back of the neck or a slight fever as the immune system fights the infection.

Dermatologists may prescribe an oral antifungal to eliminate the fungus. When tinea capitis is diagnosed and treated early, most children have excellent hair growth.

Cicatricial Alopecia - Hair loss

Cicatricial alopecia, also known as scarring alopecia, is a rare form of hair loss in which inflammation destroys hair follicles and causes scar tissue to form in their place. After scar tissue forms, the hair does not grow back.

Hair loss may start so slowly that the symptoms are not noticed, or the hair may fall out all at once. Other symptoms include severe itching, swelling, and red or white lesions on the scalp that may resemble a rash. This type of hair loss can occur at any age and affects both men and women.

Treatment depends on the type of cicatricial alopecia that is causing your symptoms. Our doctors have years of experience treating people with cicatricial alopecia and can recommend a variety of treatments to help you. Types of cicatricial alopecia include:

planopilar lichen

Lichen planopilaris, a type of alopecia, occurs when a common skin condition called lichen planus affects the scalp. Lichen planopilaris can cause a dry, scaly rash that causes hair on the scalp to fall out in clumps. The scalp may also be red, irritated, and covered with small white or red itchy, painful, or burning bumps.

Lichen planopilaris is not common and affects more women than men. A doctor may prescribe medication to treat the Stop hair loss.

folliculitis decalvans

Hair loss due to folliculitis decalvans, an inflammatory condition that leads to the destruction of hair follicles, is often accompanied by redness, swelling, and lesions on the scalp that may itch or contain pus (pustules). This type of hair loss is not reversible, but dermatologists can offer medications to control symptoms and, in some cases, stop the progression of hair loss.

Frontal fibrosing alopecia

Frontal fibrosing alopecia typically occurs in a receding hairline pattern and may also cause hair loss in the eyebrows and forearms. Frontal fibrosing alopecia most commonly affects postmenopausal women. Certain medications can relieve symptoms and stop the progression of the disease. The cause is unknown.

Central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia

Central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia can occur as a result of hair products or styling techniques that damage the hair follicles. The use of hair relaxants, blow dryers, curling irons, and hair extensions can cause central centrifugal alopecia, as can the process of creating a perm or "perming".

Frequent use of oils, gels or pomades can also lead to this condition, which can be reversible if you stop using these hair products or styling techniques. Our dermatologists may recommend taking medication to promote hair growth.

Abnormalities of the hair shaft

Various types of hair shaft abnormalities can lead to hair loss. These conditions cause hair strands to thin and weaken, making them prone to breakage. Hair loss does not occur in the follicle, but as a result of a break somewhere along the hair shaft, which is the visible part of a hair strand. This can lead to overall thinning as well as lots of small, brittle hairs.

Simple changes to the way you style and treat your hair can correct some hair shaft abnormalities. Other conditions may require medical intervention. Types of hair shaft abnormalities include:

loose anagen syndrome

Loose anagen syndrome, most common in young children, occurs when hairs that are not firmly rooted in the follicle are easily pulled out. Most of the time, hairs fall out after they reach any maximum length. Children with loose anagen syndrome can often only grow relatively short Grow hair. The condition more often affects girls with blond or brown hair.

People with loose anagen syndrome can easily lose hair - even if they grow. For example, hair loss may accelerate overnight due to the friction of a pillow. The cause of loose anagen syndrome is not known, although it may be due to a disruption in the hair growth cycle that prevents hair from remaining in the follicle.

There are few reliable treatments, but the condition usually improves significantly with puberty, and some medications can lead to fuller hair.

Trichotillomania

People with trichotillomania pull out their hair and find it difficult to stop. This leads to hair loss on the scalp or elsewhere on the body. The hair often returns when the behavior is stopped. However, the hair loss can be permanent if the pulling continues for many years.

The best treatment for this condition may be psychotherapy, where you can talk to a counsellor about the causes of Stress and why you feel the urge to pull your hair. Our doctors can refer you to a psychotherapist who specialises in this condition.

Traction alopecia

Some hairstyles, including tight ponytails and braids, pull the hair away from the scalp with such force that strands of hair become damaged and fall out. If the hairstyle is not changed, traction alopecia can result in thinning hair or bald patches. Most often, the hair grows back after you change the hairstyle.

Hypotrichosis

Hypotrichosis is a rare genetic disorder in which very little hair grows on the scalp and body. Babies born with this disease may initially have typical hair growth. However, their hair falls out a few months later and is replaced by sparse hair.

Many people with hypotrichosis are bald by the age of 25. There are few treatment options for this condition. However, some medications can help thicken or regrow hair.

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FAQ - Questions and answers

What are the different types of hair loss?

There is hereditary (androgenetic alopecia), diffuse, circular and scarring hair loss.

What are the reasons for hair loss?

Medications, infections, serious diseases, poor grooming, unhealthy diet, stress and lack of exercise are some reasons for hair loss.

Can I do anything about any kind of hair loss?

The loss of hair can not always be prevented, but can be prevented. For example, diffuse hair loss can be avoided by reducing stress. In the case of hereditary hair loss, the situation is different. There often only chemical solutions help like Minoxidil and finasteride.

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