You are not just suffering from hair fall out, but rather from hair loss.
There are many types of hair loss, also known as Alopecia.
If you have hair anywhere on your body, you should be aware of the types of hair loss you may experience throughout your lifetime.
The most common hair loss we know occurs on the scalp.
There are two main types of hair found on the body, Vellus, and Terminal hair.
Vellus hair, also known as Lanugo hair is the fine, short, hair found in hairless places throughout your body.
It is most likely found on the forehead, eyelids, etc.
It is not found in places like the palms, soles of feet.
This type of hair is un-pigmented and women usually retain about 55 percent more Vellus hair than men.
The main purpose of Vellus hair is to help with the evaporation of perspiration.
Terminal hair is the hair that you and I care about the most because it grows out of our scalp.
It is not only found on the scalp but also on the legs and arms.
TYES OF HAIR LOSS: HAIR GROWTH CYCLE
The hair growth consists of three phases, and is repeated over and over throughout your lifetime.
The Anagen is the phase in which new hair is produced from new cells within the hair follicle.
Followed by the Catagen phase, the brief transition phase between the Anagen and Telogen phases.
In the last phase of the hair growth cycle, Telogen is known as the resting and the final stage.
To read more about the hair growth cycle, check out this post.
The hair growth cycle is set in motion to function normally, and with that, we all lose some hair every day.
So when you comb or brush your hair and some hair comes out, that is normal.
It is a direct result of the hair growth cycle working as it should.
For every shed hair, you get a replacement.
However, if you notice bald spots, then you are suffering from a form of abnormal hair loss which is is caused by a disruption in the hair growth cycle.
There are many types of hair loss and each one has a cause.
This blog post is not meant to diagnose your medical condition, but rather to educate you on the types of hair loss.
Please seek the help of a medical professional to determine the root cause of your hair loss condition.
EMOTIONAL IMPACT OF HAIR LOSS
Before we get to the different types of hair loss, let’s discuss the emotional trauma that comes with hair loss.
A survey that investigated the perceptions of balding men shows that bald or balding men are perceived as less attractive, assertive, successful, older looking.
Bald men tend to become more preoccupied with their new baldness and make efforts in other areas to overcompensate.
Men are not the only ones affected by abnormal hair loss, women are too.
My first experience with abnormal hair loss or Alopecia was years ago when an old friend from my high school who suffered from hair loss in her teens came to my house for hair services and she showed me her bald spots.
From what she told me it was devasting, and it destroyed her self esteem and made her feel less attractive.
She covered her hair with a hat every day.
Abnormal hair loss is more worrisome for women in general because it is unusual, so we worry that is related it is a more serious medical condition.
TYPES OF HAIR LOSS
Although there are many types of Alopecia, we will focus on the main types of hair loss found in men, women, and children of all ages, races and ethnic backgrounds.
ANDROGENETIC ALOPECIA
Also known as Androgenetic Alopecia.
This is the most common type of hair loss and is found more in men than women.
It is also known as male pattern baldness.
A clear indication that a male will lose his hair, is when the hair starts to bald in a pattern.
It usually starts at the hairline and progresses into a horseshoe-shaped fringe.
For women the hair usually thins in the crown area, the middle of the head and moves to other parts of the head, it is unlikely for the entire head to become bald.
So how does one completely go bald?
When the Terminal hair starts to miniaturize into Vellus hair until it completely falls out.
Androgenic Alopecia is linked to genetics, hormonal changes, and age.
ALOPECIA AREATA
This is a skin disease. According to the National Alopecia Areata Foundation, an estimated 5 million people in the United States suffer from this autoimmune disorder.
It causes affected hair follicles to be mistakenly attacked by the immune system.
With this condition, the white blood cells stop the hair growth in the Anagen stage of the hair growth cycle.
This medical condition results in total hair loss on the scalp known as Alopecia Totalis or complete hair loss on the body, known as Alopecia Universalis.
Alopecia Areata usually begins in childhood and affects both males and females.
POSTPARTUM ALOPECIA
Only temporary Postpartum Alopecia is common in women post pregnancy.
Following three to nine months after giving birth, most will experience excessive hair shedding.
But rest assured, the hair growth cycle will return to its normal function within a year after your bundle of joy has arrived.
TRACTION ALOPECIA
You are probably aware of this type of Alopecia because it is more common in women.
Traction Alopecia is not linked to genetics, hormonal changes or age. It is caused by extreme pulling on the hair.
Most of us will experience this type of Alopecia though basic styling of ponytails, tight braids, hair glue, etc. It is reversible.
Here is a hair loss treatment option for it.
The key to preventing this type of Alopecia is to use proper hairstyling techniques when styling your hair.
In my eBook Hairstyling Ninja, I teach hairstyling technique to never experience Traction Alopecia, grab your copy here.
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