Types of Hair Loss

Although AGA is usually the cause of male or female hair loss, one must not assume AGA is in their case.  There are non-AGA causes that may be hard to detect unless one consults a physician hair restoration specialist.  Until the actual cause is found, hair loss cannot be successfully treated.  Non-AGA forms of hair loss include:

• Alopecia areata – patches of hair loss that range from hair-thinning spreading to large regions of baldness, leaving islands of retained hair are caused by this potential autoimmune disorder.  These patches are usually round or oval and are bald spots.  Although the scalp appears to be in normal condition, hairs surrounding the bald patch are likely to fall out since their follicles have been attacked.  Hairs that are distant from this patch will not fall out since their follicles are still healthy.
• Scarring alopecia – hair loss caused by atrophy of follicular ostia and often appears as a scarring alopecia.  This condition may be caused by frequent tight braiding or corn-rowing of scalp hair.  If scarring kills hair follicles, permanent hair loss ensues.
• Telogen effluvium – this is a condition that occurs once a great percentage of follicles begin shedding.  It is a reactive process brought on by hormonal, nutritional, or drug-related circumstances.
• Loose-anagen syndrome (LAS) – being benign in nature, this is a self-limiting condition where anagen hairs are extracted easily and painlessly.  Because hair sits loosely in the follicles, hairs fall out when combing or brushing.  Those with LAS are likely to have unruly, thin, sparse hair.  For those who experience LAS in their childhood may find that it slows down in later years.
• Triangular alopecia – an unusual condition where hair recedes from one or both sides of the temple in a triangular shape, widest at the frontal area, tapering off towards the back of the head.  The frontal scalp area has few if any strands of hair.  Although it’s believed to be a genetic condition, insufficient research has been done to prove this.  Still, it is easy to treat effectively.
• Trichotillomania – is a hair loss condition that ensues as a person has a compulsive urge to twist, pull, or pluck their hair frequently until it breaks off and falls out.  Children are especially known to do this, but adults may as well.   Those with Trichotillomania may pull out their hair out because of stress, depression, or anger in the form of self-inflicted injury.   Anyone with this impulsive disorder may deny doing it.  Others may eat the hair they pull out, which causes a bowel blockage.  As a result, the appearance of uneven hair develops and hair stubbles may develop in bald areas.  If done too long, it may lead to scarring alopecia and permanent hair loss.  Treatment will not be successful unless the patient undergoes psychological counseling.
• Scalp infections – such a condition is easily detected as the underlying scalp becomes sore, itchy, infected, or even inflamed.  Along with fungi, bacteria, or viruses, other things may attribute to this including: dry scalp, dandruff, ringworm, scalp dermatitis, scalp eczema, or folliculitis.  Hence, it is essential to cure the source of infection before treating the hair loss problem.