What Exactly is Alopecia?
What is Alopecia? What does it mean?
Alopecia is a widely used, general term used to indicate “hair loss.” Any type of hair loss that a person has can be loosely defined as Alopecia. Alopecia is a word that originates from ancient Greece. It was known as Foxes Disease because fox’s would shed their fur twice a year. Those who have alopecia can have their hair fall and regrow their hair only for it to fall out once again. This can sometimes happen several times a year.
There are three types of alopecia:
Androgenetic Alopecia
Just as the name suggests, this type of alopecia is genetic. As we age our hair follicles will begin to shrink and you will notice your hair thinning. This happens at different stages in our life. For some, it can happen in their twenties and for others, it won’t happen until they’re 60 or 70. Women typically notice thinning through the top and sides. The hair will become finer in texture and take on a fluffiness that generally seems annoying. It can be inherited from your parents, or grandparents. Women who are taking the contraceptive pill can have hair loss because of the hormonal changes. If you are experiencing hair loss it is most likely this type, as it affects over 80% of all people experiencing hair loss.
Alopecia Areata
This is an autoimmune related type of hair loss. This type is often notice because you get little 10 to 20 cent pieces of hair loss that form over the scalp, arms, or legs. What happens is the immune system is attacking the hair follicles and this causes them to stop producing hair, at least for the growth cycle. Most people that lose hair this way often have their hair grow back, but this is not true for everyone. There are three different degrees of alopecia.
- Alopecia Areata – Usually refers to the ‘spots’ or ‘patches’ of hair loss
- Alopecia Totalis – This refers to a person who has lost their hair all over the head but not on their body.
- Alopecia Universalis – This type refers to hair loss that happens over a person’s head as well as their entire body.
Diffuse Hair Loss or Telogen Effluvium (TE)
For many, this type of hair loss happens because of stress. It can be triggered by some sort of physical shock to the body. This could be a surgical operation, a car accident, or the start or sudden stopping of a medication. There is a more extreme form of TE that is medically induced through chemotherapy. Also, going through an emotional shock like a relationship breakup, a divorce or the death of a loved one. Most people that go through diffuse hair loss don’t generally lose all their hair.
If you look back three months or so you may find the cause of your hair loss. It generally takes about three months after an event has taken place for your hair to start to fall out. The good news is once the shock has passed and your body has recovered from it your hair will tend to grow back. It’s important to remember that your hair won’t grow back overnight. It will take time but your hair will grow back for 90% of those who suffer from this type of hair loss.
Solutions for Alopecia
There is currently no “cure” for alopecia or hair loss. However there are many viable solutions and non-surgical hair replacement options that can help. Today’s state of the art hair loss treatment solutions and hair replacement technology can help you preserve and strengthen your existing hair and replace or augment your thinning hair where you need it the most. And for women experiencing Alopecia Totalis or Universalis, there are amazing 100% natural European style wigs that are simply gorgeous, and completely undetectable.
For more information about Alopecia and finding the women’s hair loss solution that’s perfect for you, we invite you to contact us to schedule a free, private hair consultation. We’ve helped hundreds of men and women throughout the Baltimore, Washington DC, Fredericksburg, and Patuxent River, Maryland areas find the custom hair loss solution they need for over 12 years.
