Alopecia and Hair Loss Treatments

Alopecia (hair loss) appears in a variety of different forms. It commonly occurs with aging and is seen more often in men. However, major surgeries, childbirth, or other forms of stress may cause alopecia.

What Causes Hair Loss?

The cause of androgenetic alopecia (also referred to as “male/female pattern baldness”) is aging, genetics, and hormone levels. In males, this type of alopecia is most often characterized by a receding hairline. Females often experience thinning hair around the top of the scalp. Shrinking hair follicles eventually stop growing hair, which results in thinning hair or hair loss.

Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disease where the body’s hair follicles are attacked by the immune system. It causes round bald patches randomly on the body, face, or scalp.

Alopecia totalis is the complete loss of hair on the scalp. Though the cause is not determined, it is likely an autoimmune condition. Alopecia totalis may begin initially as alopecia areata.

Alopecia universalis is a rare form of hair loss that results in the loss of hair on both the scalp and body.

Scarring alopecias is a category of disorders that cause permanent hair loss. Damage to hair follicles results in scar tissue, which makes hair regrowth impossible. Treatments are available to prevent the progression of this condition.