Alopecia areata is an autoimmune condition where the body’s own immune system targets and shuts off hair production in the hair follicles, leading to characteristic circular, coin shaped patches of hair loss. The hair loss can affect any hair bearing areas of the body including the scalp, eyebrows, eyelashes, and beard region. The degree and severity of the condition can vary greatly.
Central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia (CCCA) is a scarring alopecia - a condition which leads to destruction of the hair follicle and permanent hair loss. It predominantly affects middle aged Black women. Affected individuals experience a gradually expanding, circular area of hair loss that starts at the crown of the scalp and continues to radiate outwards, leaving behind shiny skin devoid of any hair follicles.
Female pattern hair loss, also known as androgenetic alopecia, is the female counterpart of the more widely recognized male pattern hair loss. Unlike men who present with a receding hairline and hair loss on the top and front, female pattern hair loss presents with widening of the part line which can progress to generalized thinning. The condition is hereditary. In addition to genetics, hormones may also play a role.
Frontal fibrosing alopecia is a relatively new hair loss condition that was first described in the 1990s. Though initially thought of as a rare condition, frontal fibrosing alopecia has become increasingly more common with the reported incidence increasing worldwide. The cause remains unknown. Classically, it affects white, post-menopausal women over the age of 50.
Our body is continually growing new hair. As new hair grows, the old hair is shed. It is normal for an individual to shed or lose between 50 to 100 hairs a day. Hair loss occurs when there is excessive shedding (beyond the typical 50-100 hairs a day) or when the hair follicles become dormant or destroyed, resulting in the lack of new hair growth. Hair loss can occur for numerous reasons and can be temporary or permanent.
Male-patterned baldness or androgenetic alopecia is the most common form of hair loss affecting men. The condition can start as early as late teens or early twenties, but typically is more common in older men. By 50 years of age, approximately 50% of white men will have some degree of male pattern hair loss. The classic presentation includes a receding hairline as well as hair loss on the top and front of the head.
Telogen effluvium is a common cause of temporary hair loss caused by excessive shedding of telogen or resting hairs. All hair cycles through the stages of hair growth - from growing to involution to resting and eventually shedding. In a normal scalp, about 90-95% of hair follicles are in the growing phase, with only about 5-10% of the hair being shed. In telogen effluvium, a stressful event triggers more hair to stop growing and enter the shedding phase, resulting in a disproportionate number of hairs being lost simultaneously.
Traction alopecia is a type of hair loss that occurs as a result of the hair being pulled too tightly. It commonly occurs in hair styles such as ponytails, buns, tight braids, cornrows, hair weaves, and hair extensions. The prolonged traction or pulling leads to hair breakage and resultant hair loss in the affected areas, commonly around the anterior hairline or in between tight braids. In its early stages, the hair loss can be reversible.
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