What Is Hair Loss?
The skin on a person’s scalp consists of two distinct layers: the outer layer or epidermis and the middle layer or dermis. Our hair follicles originate in the epidermis. Hair follicles have various cycles of growth.
Hair loss is a disorder where the body’s hair production cycle is interrupted. It can happen anywhere on the body; however, it most commonly affects the scalp, resulting in hair loss.
Hair loss is a widespread problem for many people. It can be caused by genetics, age, and certain medications. Hair loss can also be caused by stress, pregnancy, and childbirth.
Below we list the six common types of hair loss that can occur in both men and women.
The Six Common Types of Hair Loss
Androgenetic Alopecia
Commonly known as male or female pattern baldness. This is the most common type of the baldness affecting over thirty million women and fifty million men.
This type of baldness is hereditary and can be controlled with medication or surgery.
Telogen Effluvium
Telogen effluvium is generally caused by a thyroid condition, surgery or childbirth. A high fever can also trigger this type of hair loss which will be noticed when the hair loss begins in about three months after the fever. An iron deficiency is a common cause and the use of certain medications such as those prescribed for acne, birth control pills and blood thinner medications.
With telogen effluvium, many hair follicles enter a resting stage, called telogen, and after this stage, the following hair growth stage does not begin. The result is hair loss without new growth.
Hair may grow back after six months for some, but hair loss can last for years for others. A dermatologist can offer medications.
Anagen Effluvium
This is rapid hair loss after taking medications such as chemotherapy to kill cancer cells. The production of hair follicles is shut down; however, after the chemotherapy treatments end, the hair usually grows back.
Alopecia Areata
When alopecia areata happens, the body’s immune system attacks healthy hair follicles. As the body’s immune system attacks, hair falls out and does not grow back. Both children and adults can be affected, and it can happen suddenly.
First, small patches of no hair will happen. Then, when the body’s immune system stops attacking, the hair can grow back. Still, total hair loss, known as alopecia totalis, can occur in some instances, including the scalp, eyebrows, and eyelashes.
Dermatologists can treat this with medication to help regrowth.
Cicatricial Alopecia
This type of hair loss is known as ‘scarring alopecia’. It is a rare type where inflammation destroys the hair follicles. Scar tissue forms prevent any new hair growth. Symptoms can be itching, swelling, and white or red lesions mimicking a rash.
This affects men and women of all ages. Treatments depend on the type and severity of symptoms.
Hair Shaft Abnormalities
Hair shaft abnormalities are conditions that cause hair to thin and weaken. In these cases, the follicles do not cause hair loss, it’s the result of the hair breaking somewhere along the hair shaft. Overall thinning is the problem.
Simple changes to hair treatments and hairstyling can help to prevent this type of hair loss.
How to Prevent Hair Loss
Hair loss can be devastating for any man or woman who has ever suffered from it. But, whether it’s male pattern baldness, alopecia, or even a hormone imbalance, there is no denying that hair is an integral part of our appearance.
Yet, despite the importance of hair, no one knows why we lose it. The truth is, there are two different types of hair loss: temporary and permanent. Once you understand the difference between the two types of hair loss, you can take action to prevent further hair loss.
Many nutritional supplements are on the market designed to prevent or reduce hair loss. These products often use natural ingredients to help your body combat damage to your hair follicles and restore your scalp’s balance. Dermatologists can also provide medications to help with certain types of hair loss. Lifestyle changes, hair products, and hair treatments can also be addressed.
Get Help & Feel Re-Vitalized at Our Hair Salon
Hair loss or not, the hairstylists at The Public Image LTD Salon would love to help you look fabulous. We can discuss our hair products and treatments that may benefit you and your hair loss problem, along with providing the perfect haircut and style to give your hair the look of volume and bounce it may need.
Contact us to schedule your next hair appointment. We look forward to working with you to get the fantastic hair results you will love.
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