The core causes of hair loss in both men and women are genetic, hormone and time related, but there are also several types of hair loss caused by a variety of reasons. Outlined below are several of the most common hair loss types and their primary causes, as well as the three primary hair loss classification systems used to diagnose the degree, type and progression of hair loss in both men and women.

Hair Loss Classification Systems

Hair loss classification systems such as the Norwood Scale will help you determine how far your hair loss has progressed, helping the medical professionals here at PAI Medical Indiana properly diagnose and determine the most appropriate and effective hair restoration procedure to deliver maximum results.

Androgenetic Alopecia or Patterned Baldness

Androgenetic alopecia is actually Greek for "baldness," while androgenetic is split into both androgens or “male hormones” and genetic or “genes.” Containing two of the three most common causes of hair loss, patterned baldness is the culprit in a large percentage of men suffering from permanent hair loss.

Female Patterned Loss

In female patterned hair loss, the gradual thinning of the hair occurs over a longer term period. Unlike daily or normal hair shedding (80-125 hairs per day is normal), female patterned loss occurs when the normal shedding actually exceeds the amount of hair regrown long term. As a result, the scalp is slowly revealed as hairs fail to regenerate and re-grow.

Diffuse Alopecia

Diffuse alopecia is similar to male patterned baldness or androgenetic alopecia in cause and effect (though diffuse alopecia does not progress to a state of complete baldness). There are three general types of diffuse alopecia:

• Diffuse unpatterned alopecia - Causes a general thinning of the hair over the entire head including the fringe. More prominent in women than in men.
• Diffuse patterned alopecia: Hair thins in a similar pattern to male pattern baldness and can occur in both men and women.
• Senile alopecia - Causes a general thinning of the hair due to age, generally occurring after the age of 60 and affecting both men and women equally.

Alopecia Areata

Alopecia areata is classified as complete baldness in random but clearly defined areas on the scalp. As an auto-immune disease, the immune system attacks the hair follicles in the affected area causing hair loss. The severe cases see loss of hair on the entire scalp, eyebrows and eyelashes – also known as alopecia totalis.

Alopecia Universalis

Alopecia universalis is the most advanced form in the series of conditions all related to the disease alopecia, and is characterized by a total loss of body hair.  The only diagnosed difference between alopecia universalis and other variants of the alopecia family is the extent of hair loss.

Anagen Effluvium

Anagen effluvium is characterized by the loss of hair in the anagen phase (the phase in which hair grows). The condition causes thinning over the entire scalp and is a direct result of increased exposure to anti-cancer drugs, x-ray therapy, or harsh chemicals/minerals such as arsenic, bismuth, colchicum, borax, gold and thallium. With anagen effluvium, hair is not shed but lost, as the fracturing of hair shafts at the level of the scalp leads to an immediate hair loss. 

Telogen Effluvium

When an abnormally large number of hair follicles enter the telogen, or resting stage, and hair loss in those follicles occurs directly after, this often results in significant thinning over the course of a 3-4 month period.

This condition, known as telogen effluvium is temporary, as new hairs will begin growing and filling out thinning areas within months. The hair loss is also less comprehensive than it is in anagen effluvium.  Common causes of telogen effluvium include:

• Hormonal changes associated with childbirth
• The termination of a pregnancy
• High fever or surgery
• Conditions such as diabetes, thyroid disease, anemia or systemic lupus erythematosis.

Self-induced Hair Loss

Two common types of self-induced hair loss include :

• Traction alopecia - Prolonged physical tension on the hair, for example, wearing tight braids, cornrows or hair extensions.
• Trichotillomania - Caused by a psychological condition in which people excessively pull and pluck out their own hair. Most commonly affects children, adolescents and women.

Scarring Alopecia

Scarring alopecia causes patchy hair loss in rather discreet areas of the scalp, and is often the aftermath of destroyed hair follicles. Reasons for the introduction of scarring alopecia vary from inherited abnormalities of the skin and hair follicles to bacterial, fungal or viral infections and tumors of the skin.

To learn more about the various types of hair loss and available treatment options, call us at (888) 724-5129 or schedule a free consultation with one of PAI Medical Indiana's hair restoration experts.