You know Vin Diesel has, so has Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson, and Bruce Willis, but did you know that celebrities like Tina Turner, Neve Campbell, and Christopher Reeve have also suffered from some form of alopecia?
The Many Different Types of Hair Loss (Alopecia)
What is Alopecia
Alopecia is the medical term for baldness or hair loss. You might be surprised to know that there are many different types of alopecia. Knowing which type you have can make choosing the right type of hair loss treatment, easier. Read on to find out which form of alopecia you may be experiencing.
Alopecia Areata (AA)
Alopecia Areata is an autoimmune disease which first causes hair loss in the form of small, round patches, and then spreads to larger areas. For people with alopecia areata, their immune system begins attacking the hair follicles, making it virtually impossible for their hair to grow. Alopecia areata affects both men and women, and usually begins during childhood. Roughly 2 percent of the population, and over 4.5 million people in the US, have alopecia areata.
Alopecia Barbae
One form of alopecia areata is called alopecia barbae. This type of hair loss affects the face. In this instance, men are not able to have/grow hair in the beard area.
Alopecia Mucinosa
Alopecia mucinosais a condition in which an abnormal amount of mucin, a bodily lubricant, grows in the hair follicles and the surface of the skin. This causes lesions, or scaly patches on different parts of the skin. While there are no proven treatments for alopecia mucinosa, the lesions usually go away on their own, between 2 months to 2 years after appearing.
Alopecia Totalis (AT)
Whereas alopecia areata is characterized by balding patches, alopecia totalisis complete baldness. This condition is considered a rare form of alopecia areata. Unfortunately, with AT, the hair usually does not grow back.
Alopecia Universalis (AU)
Alopecia universalis is another rare type of alopecia areata. With this type of disease, a person is likely to experience the loss of all of the hair on their body.
Androgenetic Alopecia (AGA)
Androgenetic alopecia is also known as male-pattern balding, although it does affect both men and women. In men, the hair loss begins at the temples and at the top of the head, gradually increasing to affect more of the scalp. In women, androgenetic alopecia is due to the action of androgens, male hormones that are typically present in only small amounts, according the American Hair Loss Organization. Women tend to experience hair thinning all over the head, and generally do not have total baldness. This form of hair loss affects around 35 million men in the United States.
Scarring Alopecia
Scarring alopecia, also called Cicatricial alopecia, is a rare form of hair loss - found in only 3% of patients. While the cause of scarring alopecia is not known, what is known is that it affects both men and women. People suffering from scarring alopecia tend to experience redness, heat, pain, or swelling at the upper part (scalp) of the hair follicle.
Traction Alopecia
Traction alopecia is caused by too much tension put on hair shafts. Certain hair styles, such as braids, pull hair and can cause hair loss. Prolonged traction alopecia can stop new hair follicles from developing, leading to permanent hair loss.
Finding Answers
We encourage you to find out more about the variety of options available to treat hair loss in men and women. If you're concerned about your thinning hair or hair loss, it's important to consult with an experienced hair restoration professional. To learn more about treating hair loss and regrowth treatment options or to consult with a Capillus specialist in your area click here or call Capillus for more information at (786) 888 6249 or Toll-Free at 1 (888) 272-9599.