Women’s Hair Loss Part 3: What Type of Hair Loss Do I Have?

Women’s hair loss is a complex condition with numerous causes.  The intricate nature of women’s hair loss further emphasizes the need for a hair loss specialist with specialized knowledge.   Dr. Edmond Griffin can help you determine what type of hair loss you are experiencing and suggest a proper treatment plan based on your symptoms.  In previous blog posts, we’ve explained who to turn to when hair begins to thin and tests that determine your hair loss cause.  There may be a combination of variables contributing to your specific hair loss condition; therefore, it may be helpful to have a basic understanding of most common types/causes of hair loss:

• Androgenetic Alopecia: Androgenetic alopecia, also called female patterned baldness, is by far the most common cause of hair loss seen at the Griffin Center.  This hereditary alopecia is caused by a predisposition to the effects of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) on the hair follicles due to an inherited gene. A positive family history of baldness in either males or females is common. Occurring over a period of several years, this type of hair loss is gradual.

• Telogen Effluvium: In this condition, an increased number of hairs enter the resting phase (telogen phase) of the hair growth cycle so that hair does not grow at a normal rate. This hair loss is most apparent as hair just falls out by the roots in handfuls. Dieting, severe infection, high fever, surgery, stress, and especially childbirth shifts the growing hair into a resting phase resulting in sudden onset of hair loss.

• Anagen Effluvium: This hair loss condition is most commonly associated with cancer patients receiving chemotherapy or radiation, and causes hair to fall out during the anagen, or growing, phase of the hair growth cycle. While most patients re-grow their hair after chemo and radiation are completed, some patients do not completely re-grow due to certain cancer chemo agents.

• Traction Alopecia:  Traction alopecia, most often seen in black patients, is caused by excessive, ongoing tension placed on the scalp. Tight hairstyles such as braids, weaves, and ponytails can eventually pull hair out and permanently scar the scalp. Some patients have sensitive follicles that are easily traumatized, resulting in this loss of hair.

• Alopecia Areata: This hair loss condition, most common in children and young adults, is a disease in which the body forms antibodies against its own hair follicles due to stress, genetics, or immunity.  Often developed suddenly, alopecia areata results in smooth, circular patches on the scalp, eyebrows, or beard. Aggressive treatment with injections and topical medications frequently results in the hair returning within a short time. A positive family history of this condition is common.

• Scarring Alopecia: This condition is a chronic inflammation of the scalp which gradually damages the hair follicles. This permanent condition may appear as localized or wide-spread patchy hair loss, and should be treated as soon as possible to prevent widespread baldness.

• Lichen Planopilaris (LPP):  Scarring hair loss condition in which follicle inflammation causes gradual permanent alopecia.

• Tinea Capitis: Tinea capitis is a fungal infection that causes patchiness and breakage due to inflammation, usually seen in young children. If treated early, the hair re-grows but can result in permanent loss if the inflammation is long lasting or severe enough.

Listed above are some of the more common hair loss conditions.  It’s important to understand that each hair loss case is specific to each man, woman, or child it affects. Dr. Griffin and his team of trained hair restoration technicians are more than happy to help you find a customized solution for hair loss. For more information on The Griffin Center of Hair Restoration and Research visit our website, and continue to read the blog for more news on hair loss conditions and prevention.

Tags: alopecia areata, anagen effluvium, androgenetic alopecia, atlanta hair restoration, causes of hair loss, children's hair loss, children's hair loss Atlanta, common types of hair loss, damaged hair follicles, dihydrotestosterone effects on hair follicle, Dr. Edmond Griffin Atlanta, female pattern baldness, Griffin Center Atlanta, Griffin Center for Hair Restoration and Research, hair follicles, hair loss cause, hair loss from testosterone, hair loss prevention atlanta, hair loss treatment Atlanta, hair restoration Atlanta, lichen planopilaris, men's hair loss, men's hair loss Atlanta, scarring alopecia, sensitive hair follicles, telogen effluvium, the griffin center of hair restoration and research, Tinea Capitis, traction alopecia, womens hair loss

Part 2 Causes of Hair-loss: Repeated Pulling Leading to Childrens Hair Loss

In our previous blog post detailing the causes of hair-loss we discussed the role of genetics and its contribution to the development of androgenetic alopecia and alopecia areata.  Often, for children who exhibit hair-loss, the causes might not be as simple as genetics.  For a small percentage of children ages 6-12 (mostly tween-age) a behavioral condition known as trichotillomania may be to blame for areas of hair-loss.
Most commonly referred to as “hair-pulling disorder,” or sometimes “trich,” this ailment is driven by a compulsion that causes children and adolescents to pull strands of hair from their scalp and occasionally their eyebrows and even body. The condition often begins with children wanting to continually twist their hair and place it in their mouth.  While the condition has been greatly dramatized for plot development on episodes of FX’s Nip Tuck and Showtime’s Nurse Jackie, if the neurosis continues, the child may begin to pluck the strands of hair and leave balding or stubbly areas of hair with differing thicknesses across the scalp.  This is different from the perfectly rounded, completely bald circles caused by the genetically linked alopecia areata.
Physicians see a majority of trich patients recover fully from the condition and re-grow their missing hair completely, with no need for medicine or surgery, by ceasing the pulling behavior. However, Dr. Edmond Griffin of The Griffin Center of Hair Restoration and Research warns that patients, especially children, must be properly diagnosed before any hair restoration treatment is approached.  It’s important to note that hair-restoration therapy to remedy the effects of this type of behavior are only viable options for patients who have completely stopped the repeated action of pulling for at least 1 year.
To learn more about stress related hair loss in men, women, or children and the non-surgical hair-restoration options contact our office, visit our website, or subscribe to our blog.

Tags: alopecia, alopecia areata, Atlanta hair loss, atlanta hair restoration, bald patches in scalp, children's hair loss, Griffin Center of Hair Restoration and Research, hair pulling compulsion, hair pulling disorder, non-surgical hair-restoration, pulling hair out, stress hair loss, trich, trichotillomania