Things to Know - Hair Loss - Hair Loss Types

Below you will find the most common questions and corresponding answers. Click on any of the below links and you'll be directed to that section. We have tried to be as thorough as possible with each answer by providing helpful links where appropriate.

HAIR LOSS TYPES

TYPE
PERM/TEMP
CAUSES
ABOUT
Male/female pattern baldness (androgenetic alopecia)
Permanent
Hereditary, genetics
The time of growth shortens, and the hairs are not as thick or sturdy. With each growth cycle, the hairs fall out more easily.
 
Cicatricial alopecia (scarring)
Permanent
Inflammation caused by certain skin conditions
Occurs when inflammation damages and scars the hair follicle; this prevents new hair from growing.
 
Anagen Effluvium
Temporary
Chemotherapeutic drugs and/or radiation
Treatments can help fight cancer and lymphoma cause the hair follicle to stop producing. This can revert within weeks of completing treatments; the hair may not grow back with the same density.
 
Telogen effluvium
Permanent
Major life-stresses or significant illness
Handfuls of hair may come out when coming or washing your hair or any fall out after gentle tugging. This type of hair loss usually causes overall hair thinning and not bald patches.
 
Alopecia (areata totalis, universalis)
Permanent or temporary
Cause is unknown
Classified as an autoimmune condition. Can affect people in good health; can be predisposed genetically.
 
Traction alopecia
Permanent or temporary
Excessive hairstyling or hairstyles that pull the hair to tightly
If the pulling is stopped before there's scarring of your scalp and permanent damage to the root, hair usually grows back normally.
 
Trichotillomania (hair-pulling disorder)
Permanent or temporary
No specific cause found; this is a compulsive mental disorder
An irresistible urge to pull out ones hair, whether it's from the scalp, the eyebrows or other areas of the body most common in young females.
 
Fine thin hair
Permanent or temporary
Poor nutrition, medications, disease hormonal changes, hair treatment
Many different causes can result in fine, thin hair, including hereditary and thyroid issues.