Most people are familiar with the term "Alopecia” and know that it has something to do with hair loss. In fact, in Latin, Alopecia actually does mean hair loss. But there are actually several different types of Alopecia, and we have listed them below:
Alopecia Areata
This may be the type of Alopecia that most people are familiar with. Hair loss is patchy, affecting only parts of the scalp. It's caused by an autoimmune disorder that causes the body's immune system to attack the hair follicles. While the exact causes are currently unknown, many researchers believe that excess stress or a traumatic event may trigger the condition.
Alopecia Totalis/Universalis
People with Alopecia Totalis have hair loss across the entire scalp, while people with Alopecia Universalis lose hair from the scalp as well as other parts of the body (i.e., eyebrows, lashes, etc.) The latter is a common form of Alopecia for cancer patients who are receiving chemotherapy or radiation treatment.
Androgenetic Alopecia
The term Androgenetic Alopecia refers to typical male or female pattern hair loss, even though the patterns are quite different. Men, for example, tend to lose hair in an "M" shape, starting at the temples, whereas women typically notice thinning hair at the crown of the head first. Whereas men's hair loss is often genetic, there are usually lots of different reasons for women's hair loss including excessive stress, nutritional deficiencies, etc.
Cicatricial Alopecia
You might have surmised that "cicatricial" has something to do with scarring since the word "scar" in Latin is, of course, "cicatrix". So Cicatricial Alopecia refers to hair loss where the hair follicles are replaced by scar tissue.
You may know people who are missing part of an eyebrow, for example, where they were once cut and now scarred, and where hair will no longer grow. There are actually two different types of Cicatricial Alopecia -- one caused by inflammation of the hair follicles themselves and the other resulting from an infection or a burn, and not involving an underlying problem with the hair follicles.
Traction Alopecia
Unlike other forms of Alopecia, Traction Alopecia is actually self-inflicted, although not intentionally. The condition can occur from repeatedly wearing "tight" hair styles like ponytails or braids. It can also be caused by too much chemical processing (e.g., coloring, straightening, perms, etc.).
Postpartum Alopecia
This is a form of alopecia that can occur two to three months after childbirth. You may notice that you're shedding hair at a much faster rate than usual. The good news is that it usually resolves itself after about six months.
The All-Important First Step
Experiencing hair loss can be scary and extremely disheartening. It's important to remember, though, that knowledge is power, and finding out the reason for your hair loss is the very first step in finding a solution.
If you're experiencing hair loss and you live in Northwestern Indiana, your first step is to call us at Mane Image Hair Replacement Center. We've been helping men and women just like you find solutions to their hair loss since 1987! During our 30 years of first-hand experience, we've happily watched the custom solutions we offer to our client grow tremendously, thanks to the ever-evolving world of science and technology. In fact, we have so many solutions, that we're able to create hair restoration plans for every client that walks through our doors.
Consultations are free, so you have nothing to lose! Time after time, we've seen folks just like you walk in feeling sad, frightened -- even a bit hopeless -- leave feeling so much better once they've discovered what is causing their hair loss and learned that there's a plan of action that's tailor-made for their specific circumstances. We even have financing options available.
Why not take that all-important first step and call us at (219)736-7300, or contact us online, if you prefer. You'll be so glad that you did!
