Types of hair loss

Hair loss is a condition caused by a disruption in the hair production cycle of our body. Hair loss may affect any part of the body, but the scalp is the most frequent. On average, the scalp has 100,000 hairs. They go through some cycles of grow, rest, falling out, and regrowth. In this article, we are going to explain types of hair loss, hair production cycle, hair growth cycle and the cause of hair loss.

Stages of hair growth cycle

Hair develops rapidly during the anagen period. This stage might endure for a long time. Hair stops growing and separates from its follicle, the structure beneath the skin that maintains the hair in place, during the catagen phase. The catagen phase lasts for around ten days. The follicle rests for two or three months during the telogen phase, after which the hair falls out. As a new hair develops in the same follicle, the next anagen phase begins. This natural cycle causes most people to shed 50 to 100 hairs every day.

The types of hair loss

Hair loss is sometimes tied to a person’s genetics, but it may also be caused by a variety of medical and behavioral disorders that disrupt the growth cycle and cause hair loss. Dermatologists at NYU Langone specialize in hair and scalp issues and can determine the types of hair loss as well as the cause of hair loss.

·       Androgenetic alopecia

Androgenetic alopecia is the most frequent types of hair loss in the United States, affecting more than 50 million men and 30 million women. Androgenetic alopecia is a hereditary condition. It is known as male or female pattern hair loss.

·       Pattern Hair Loss in Men

Hair loss in males can start at any age after puberty and develop over years or decades. It starts above the temples and wraps around the top and perimeter of the head, leaving a ring of hair at the bottom of the scalp. Male pattern baldness affects a large number of males.

·       Female hair loss

Hair thins gradually all over the scalp in women, although the hairline rarely recedes. These types hair loss affect many women as a normal part of aging, however it can start at any moment after puberty. Female pattern hair loss can result in significant hair thinning, although it seldom leads to baldness.

·       Telogen Effluvium

When a high number of follicles on the scalp enter the resting phase of the hair development cycle, called telogen, but the following growth phase does not begin, telogen effluvium ensues. Hair falls out all over the scalp, and no new hair grows in its place.

·       Effluvium Anagen

Anagen effluvium is a kind of hair loss caused by medicinal treatments like chemotherapy. These powerful and quick-acting drugs target cancer cells, but they also have the potential to stop hair follicle creation in the scalp and other regions of the body. Hair normally comes back on its own after chemotherapy.

The causes of hair loss

·       Alopecia Areata

Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system destroys healthy tissues, such as hair follicles. Hair falls out as a result of this, and new hair does not develop.

·       Tinea Capitis

Tinea capitis, often known as scalp ringworm, is a fungus that attacks the scalp and causes hair loss in youngsters. This disorder is the cause of hair loss in patches, which might be circular, resulting in bald areas that can get larger over time. The afflicted regions are frequently red or scaly, and the scalp is itching. On the scalp, sores or blisters that exude pus might form.

·       Alopecia Cicatricial

Scarring alopecia, also known as cicatricial alopecia, is one of uncommon types of hair loss in which inflammation kills hair follicles and scar tissue forms in their stead. Hair does not regenerate when scar tissue occurs. Hair loss might start slowly enough that symptoms aren’t visible, or it can happen all at once.

·       Planopilaris Lichen

When a common skin ailment called lichen planus infects the scalp, it causes lichen planopilaris, a kind of alopecia. Lichen planopilaris can create a dry, flaky rash on the skin, causing hair to come out in clumps on the scalp. Small white or red itchy, painful, or burning bumps may appear on the scalp, which is red, inflamed, and covered with small white or red uncomfortable, painful, or burning pimples. Lichen planopilaris is a rare fungus that mostly affects women. To halt hair loss, a doctor may prescribe medication.

·       Lupus Erythematosus Discoid

A kind of cutaneous lupus, discoid lupus erythematosus is an autoimmune disease that affects the skin. It can cause irritated sores on the ears, face, and scalp, as well as scars. Hair loss is one of the disease’s symptoms. Hair can no longer grow in the area where scar tissue has formed on the scalp.