When you start noticing that you are losing hair, it can be a troubling and deeply unsettling time. There are lots of reasons that you might be experiencing hair loss and alopecia is one of the conditions that might be behind it.

There are lots of different types of alopecia, so it is helpful to understand them if you are suffering from hair loss that you believe might be linked to alopecia.

Read on to find out more.

Alopecia Areata

This is an autoimmune condition that causes hair to fall out in round patches on the scalp and on other parts of the body where hair grows.

Androgenetic Alopecia (Pattern Hair Loss)

This is another term for hereditary hair loss. Androgenetic alopecia affects both men and women, female pattern hair loss and male pattern hair loss.

For men, in this case, the hair falls out in a well-defined pattern, whereas for women suffering from this condition, the hair usually thins all over the head and recedes most significantly from the temples.

Central Centrifugal Cicatricial Alopecia (Scarring Alopecia)

This is a permanent form of hair loss, which is most commonly seen in middle-aged black women. The cause is unknown. The hair loss usually begins at the mid-scalp and extends outwards in a centrifugal manner.

Chemotherapy-Induced Alopecia (Anagen Effluvium)

Also known as CIA, chemotherapy-induced alopecia is caused by chemotherapy affecting the normal hair growth cycle of an individual undergoing chemotherapy treatment.

Hair cells generally recover after chemotherapy, meaning that the hair almost always grows back once the treatment has finished.

Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia (Scarring Alopecia)

FFA, or Frontal fibrosing alopecia is a condition that causes hair loss at the front of the scalp and near the temples.

Treatments vary, however, the hair that has been lost cannot be restored. It can affect hair on other parts of the body, not just the scalp.

Lichen Planopilaris (Scarring Alopecia)

This is a condition linked to lichen planus, a relatively common skin disease. Lichen planopilaris is caused when lichen planus affects areas of skin where there is hair. It destroys the hair follicle and replaces it with scarring – resulting in permanent hair loss.

Telogen Effluvium

This is a form of temporary hair loss that usually happens after stress, a shock, or a traumatic event. Telogen Effluvium usually affects the hair on the top of the scalp and the hair usually grows back once the person has recovered.

Traction Alopecia (Hair Loss)

This condition is usually caused by constant pulling (“traction”) of the hair due to tight hairstyle, which leads to bald patches developing.

Traction alopecia can get better if the tension applied to the head is removed – such as different hairstyles being tried.

However, it can result in permanent hair loss if the damage and repetitive hair pulling are long-term.

Trichotillomania (Hair pulling)

Also known as trich, this condition describes someone who cannot resist the urge to pull out their hair. The hair pulling is not concentrated on the scalp alone, sufferers of trichotillomania can pull hair from the eyebrows or eyelashes or anywhere else that hair grows.

We are a family business of more than thirty years’ experience in the wig industry. We approach every customer kindly and with sensitivity.

We know that, for some, talking about their hair loss can be a sensitive and upsetting conversation, so we approach everyone with a friendly and kind manner.

We are here to help you if you need some advice about which wig would work best for you and your lifestyle. Call Wigs4U on 01945 587584 today.