What is Alopecia?
What is alopecia? Alopecia is a common medical condition that affects men and women of all ages. The primary symptom is hair loss, which can be entirely unpredictable – making it a condition that can be quite difficult to manage psychologically.
There are a number of different types of alopecia, each caused by different factors. Whilst alopecia areata, the autoimmune disease, is perhaps the most famous, androgenetic alopecia – or male pattern baldness (MPB) – is by far the most common. 90% of hair loss cases in men are due to MPB.
The causes of MPB are genetic and the symptoms, these days, are reversible. The patterns of hair loss are different in MPB compared to other types of alopecia, however – so it’s important to know what you are dealing with. In this article, we’re going to take a look at the different types of alopecia.
What Are the Different Types of Alopecia?
Alopecia is the medical term for the loss of hair in places where it should normally grow. Due to this, the term is used to describe conditions that have little in common besides hair loss. Different types of alopecia are the result of different causes, including aging, autoimmune diseases, and stress. However, the patterns of hair loss themselves differ between each cause.
What is Alopecia Areata?
Alopecia areata is a medical condition that causes hair to fall from the scalp primarily in small patches. These patches are often unnoticeable, depending on the location, until the condition develops so that the areas of hair loss connect. Alopecia areata is usually totally unpredictable, which adds an unpleasant dimension to the experience of hair loss.
The hair loss associated with alopecia areata is related to inflammation that results from an autoimmune response. This is when your immune system, usually primed to defend you against foreign bodies, starts to attack healthy cells. In this case, these are the cells in your hair follicles.
Alopecia areata is non-scarring, and people with the condition usually see hair regrowth within a year. However, it can lead to conditions known as alopecia areata totalis, in which all hair is lost on the scalp, or alopecia areata universalis, where all hair follicles on your body is affected.
Androgenetic Alopecia, or Male Pattern Baldness (MPB)
MPB is known as a type of alopecia – androgenetic alopecia, to give it its full name.
MPB refers to a specific pattern of balding related to hormonal changes in men. It is genetic, thought to be largely hereditary, and it is hugely common at any age. 30% of men aged 30 are affected by it, and 70% at the age of 70. Where alopecia areata is unpredictable, MPB is usually seen in specific patterns: a receding hairline will develop above the temples, or else hair will be lost at the crown.
These are the areas most sensitive to a hormone that your body produces as you age. That’s DHT, the chemical cause of MPB, which is produced from testosterone by an enzyme known as 5α-Reductase. The more DHT is produced, the weaker your hair follicles at your hairline and crown become. As a result of this follicular damage, your hair begins to fall out.
Are There Other Types of Alopecia?
These are the two most well-known types of alopecia. However, there are others – most commonly resulting from stress or injury.
Traction Alopecia
Traction alopecia is a type of hair loss that results from strain or pulling applied to the hair. People who wear dreadlocks or tight ponytails, or who regularly use tight-fitting safety helmets, are those to most commonly experience traction alopecia.
Where MPB and alopecia areata are non-scarring, traction alopecia can leave scars due to the damage to your follicles. Hair loss in this case can also be accompanied by irritation and pain.
Telogen Effluvium
Although it doesn’t have the term in its name, telogen effluvium is a type of alopecia – and it results from periods of intense stress. For a reason that is not well understood, during stress your hair follicles can enter into a state of rest. This means that they no longer produce hair and that the hair that is already there can fall out. Whilst non-scarring, telogen effluvium can be sudden and unpredictable.
Trichotillomania
Another type of alopecia associated with stress is trichotillomania. This results from compulsive pulling of your own hair, either on your scalp, face, or eyebrows. The result is localised areas of hair loss, which, depending on the severity of the compulsion, can grow back. This is typically treated by CBT-like therapy, involving habit reversal training. You can find more information on the NHS website.
Is There a Treatment for Alopecia?
Key Takeaways…
There are many different types of alopecia, resulting from stress, hormonal changes, or autoimmune diseases. None are particularly pleasant, but it is important that you know the causes if you are suffering from hair loss yourself. The majority of types of alopecia are reversible. That includes MPB, the most common, which is easily and effectively treated with medications that can even promote hair regrowth.
While we've ensured that everything you read on the Health Centre is medically reviewed and approved, information presented here is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. It should never be relied upon for specific medical advice. If you have any questions or concerns, please talk to your doctor.
