Forms of Alopecia
Alopecia is the general term for baldness, of which there are a number of different causes.
Chemotherapy-induced alopecia
Hair loss can be expected within 3 weeks of starting treatment, and certainly within days of their second treatment.
The hair will start to loose some of it’s lustre and many clients describe a mild ache in their scalp just prior to their hair beginning to fall. This is often explained as feeling like their hair has been placed in the wrong parting.
The hair will fall out over a period of 5 days and can be quite distressing. It helps if you can look at it, as this is a sign that my treatment is doing exactly what it is meant to do.
Alopecia areata
Alopecia areata is patchy baldness. The baldness appears in patches and can be found anywhere in the body. Several patches may eventually join up to form a larger patch. Hair loss can be rapid and can even occur overnight with clumps of hair being found on the pillow.
There is a high percentage of total regrowth in this type of alopecia although clients may suffer many different patches over the years.
Alopecia Totalis
Alopecia Totalis is the complete loss of scalp hair combined with the loss of eyebrows and eyelashes and beard hair in men.
Alopecia Universalis
Alopecia Universalis is the total loss of all body hair.
Androgenic Alopecia
This is the most common type of baldness in men, however after the menopause the condition can develop in women. This can cause a receding hairline and sparse hair on top.
Diffuse Alopecia
Diffuse alopecia is the gradual loss of hair across the whole scalp. This is often seen in pregnant women and returns to its normal density post pregnancy. This can also be caused by undiagnosed medical conditions such as an under active thyroid or pituitary gland.
Medical advice should therefore be sought in the case of diffuse alopecia.
Traction Alopecia
Traction alopecia can be caused by placing tension on the hair causing it to loosen at the follicle i.e. through pulling a ponytail too tight. Placing rollers in too tight can also cause a dramatic hair loss.
Cicatricial Alopecia
Cicatricial Alopecia is baldness due to scarring. This can be the result of burns wounds or infections.
Strong perming solutions and straightening solutions can cause permanent scarring and nothing can be done to promote hair growth once this damage has been done.
Trichotillomania
Trichotillomania is the pulling of ones own hair, usually
without realising it. Done continually this can cause baldness.