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What are the most common types of hair loss and how can you recognise them?
Although hair loss is a part of everyone’s life – as our hair naturally sheds and is replaced – the extent of the hair loss we experience does matter. If you’re experiencing extreme hair loss, it’s worth seeking expert help as soon as possible.
It is important to note that there are several types of hair loss, each of which can be attributed to a wide range of underlying factors: understanding the causes of hair loss is crucial to effectively managing significant hair loss.
If you’re curious to find out what the most common types of hair loss are and what symptoms they involve, then read on!
It is important to note that there are several types of hair loss, each of which can be attributed to a wide range of underlying factors: understanding the causes of hair loss is crucial to effectively managing significant hair loss.
If you’re curious to find out what the most common types of hair loss are and what symptoms they involve, then read on!
What is the difference between normal and pathological hair loss?
There are essentially two types of hair loss: normal and pathological. As part of the hair’s natural life cycle, hair loss is a natural phenomenon, as hair strands fall out during the final stage of their life cycle. However, if the rate of hair loss exceeds around 100 strands a day, you can be sure that you are experiencing some form of pathological hair loss.
Hair loss often occurs alongside other illnesses or nutritional deficiencies, so it is worth taking the condition seriously and paying particular attention to your general state of health in the event of significant hair loss. To understand the problem of hair loss, we need to be familiar with the characteristics and stages of hair growth.
Hair strands are formed in the hair follicles, and their growth can be divided into three stages:
Hair loss often occurs alongside other illnesses or nutritional deficiencies, so it is worth taking the condition seriously and paying particular attention to your general state of health in the event of significant hair loss. To understand the problem of hair loss, we need to be familiar with the characteristics and stages of hair growth.
Hair strands are formed in the hair follicles, and their growth can be divided into three stages:
- Anagen, or the growth phase: The hair strands grow actively, and the body continuously nourishes them. This phase lasts for approximately 3 years in men, whilst in women it can last for up to 5 years.
- The anagen phase is followed by the catagen phase, a resting phase lasting 1–2 weeks: during this time, the supply of nutrients to the hair follicle ceases, and the hair prepares to fall out.
- This is followed by the shedding phase, or telogen phase, which lasts for approximately 3 months. In the case of healthy hair growth, the hair shaft is shed and replaced by a new one in the active growth phase.
- Once the telogen phase is complete, the hair’s life cycle begins again; however, in cases of pathological hair loss, the growth of a new hair does not commence.
Abnormal hair loss: a disruption in the hair growth cycle
Throughout the life cycle of a hair shaft, the growth (anagen), resting (catagen) and shedding (telogen) phases alternate, after which the whole process begins again. Fortunately, hair replacement does not take place all at once: our hair is constantly being replaced in an asynchronous manner, which is why, at any given time, 90 per cent is in the growth phase, 1–2 per cent in the resting phase, and 8–9 per cent in the shedding phase. If this balance is disrupted for any reason, we may experience severe, abnormal hair loss.
Find out about the three most common types of hair loss!
- Androgenic alopecia, also known as male-pattern hair loss
- Telogen effluvium, which is most common in women, i.e. temporary, diffuse hair loss
- Patchy hair loss, known as alopecia areata, which affects both sexes
What causes androgenic alopecia, or male-pattern hair loss?
Androgenic alopecia, also known as male-pattern hair loss, is caused by a combination of genetic factors, hormonal processes and the body’s ageing. Androgenic alopecia affects the hair’s life cycle: in those genetically predisposed to it, the growth phase of the hair is shortened under the influence of dihydrotestosterone (DHT), the size of the hair follicles decreases, resulting in the hair shafts becoming weaker and eventually unable to grow out. This process is also known as miniaturisation, which is further exacerbated by the narrowing of the blood vessels that occurs with advancing age.
Male-pattern hair loss can also occur in women
Women with hormonal problems may also be affected by androgenic alopecia if androgen levels become excessive; this is a common occurrence, for example, in women with PCOS, and is a typical symptom of the menopause. Androgenic alopecia follows a characteristic pattern in both men and women.
Telogen effluvium: diffuse hair loss affecting the entire scalp
During this temporary form of hair loss affecting the entire scalp, hair follicles enter the resting (telogen) phase prematurely, thereby disrupting the healthy anagen-telogen ratio, which results in significant hair loss. Natural hormonal changes in the body can also trigger this (e.g. the post-pregnancy period), but there are countless other possible causes: systemic inflammatory or febrile illnesses, chronic stress or trauma, lifestyle factors, nutritional deficiencies, certain scalp conditions, side effects of medication, etc.
What factors underlie patchy hair loss?
Alopecia areata is an autoimmune form of hair loss in which the body attacks its own hair follicles, causing inflammation and severe hair loss, ultimately resulting in bald patches. Alopecia areata can affect not only the scalp but the whole body, and is most commonly seen in childhood or during young adulthood. The exact cause is unknown, but it shows a genetic predisposition and may also be linked to other autoimmune conditions.
Take the fight against hair loss with Denza laser hair treatment!
Denza hair treatment is effective in treating male-pattern hair loss, temporary hair loss and patchy hair loss. The treatment can provide long-term relief from the problem of abnormal hair loss; however, in certain cases, it is important to identify the exact causes and treat them as well. It is important to start Denza treatments as soon as possible so that we can restore your hair’s health as quickly and effectively as possible.
There are certain types of hair loss for which even Denza laser hair treatment is unlikely to produce dramatic results: these include hair loss associated with scarring, and alopecia universalis, which involves the complete loss of both scalp and body hair.
There are certain types of hair loss for which even Denza laser hair treatment is unlikely to produce dramatic results: these include hair loss associated with scarring, and alopecia universalis, which involves the complete loss of both scalp and body hair.
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