Hair Loss Types
Male- & Female-Pattern Baldness (Androgenetic Alopecia)
Your hair follicles get “miniaturized” by a combo of genetics and hormones (mainly dihydrotestosterone, or DHT). Each growth cycle makes the strand a little thinner until—you guessed it—it stops popping up.
What it looks like:
Men: A receding hairline and/or a bald spot on the crown that slowly widen and meet.
Women: Overall thinning on the top of the head; the part line looks wider, but the hairline usually stays put.
Why it happens: Family history plus a normal hormone that’s extra-efficient at shrinking follicles.
Can anything help? FDA-approved minoxidil foam/liquid (both sexes) or finasteride tablets (men only) can slow or partially reverse it.
Alopecia Areata
An autoimmune oopsie. Your immune system mistakes hair follicles for invaders and pauses them.
What it looks like: Round, smooth, completely bare patches—often coin-sized—on the scalp or beard. Eyebrows or lashes can join the party.
Why it happens: Still being studied, but genes plus a trigger (stress, illness) seem involved.
Can anything help? Steroid injections or topical solutions calm the immune attack; new “JAK-inhibitor” pills are promising for widespread cases.
Telogen Effluvium
A temporary “shedding season.” More hairs than usual enter their resting (telogen) phase all at once.
What it looks like: Handfuls of strands on the pillow or shower drain 2–3 months after a big event—think childbirth, surgery, crash diet, COVID-19, or major stress.
Why it happens: Your body reallocates resources during/after stress; hair growth takes a back seat.
Can anything help? Identify and address the trigger, keep nutrition solid, and wait: growth typically restarts in 6–9 months.
Anagen Effluvium
Rapid loss of actively growing (anagen) hairs.
What it looks like: Sudden, diffuse thinning within days or weeks—most familiar after chemotherapy.
Why it happens: Chemo, radiation, or toxins hit dividing hair-matrix cells hard.
Can anything help? Cooling caps during chemo may lessen loss. Hair usually regrows once the treatment ends.
Traction Alopecia
Too much pull on the roots for too long.
What it looks like: Receding edges, broken hairs, or small bald spots—often where tight braids, ponytails, extensions, or headgear sit.
Why it happens: Constant tension damages follicles.
Can anything help? Loosen styles, rotate hairstyles, and give the area a break. Early damage is reversible; prolonged strain can scar follicles.
Cicatricial (Scarring) Alopecias
Inflammation destroys the follicle and replaces it with scar tissue—hair can’t grow back here.
What it looks like: Patches that may be smooth, shiny, or scaly; sometimes itchy or painful. Includes conditions like lichen planopilaris and frontal fibrosing alopecia.
Why it happens: Immune dysregulation, but exact triggers vary.
Can anything help? Fast diagnosis is critical; dermatologists use anti-inflammatory drugs (topical, oral, or injected) to halt the scarring process.
| Type | Key Trigger | Pattern | Reversible?* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Androgenetic | Genetics + DHT | Receding hairline / diffuse crown | Partially |
| Alopecia areata | Autoimmune | Round patches | Often |
| Telogen effluvium | Stress, illness, diet | Overall shedding | Yes |
| Anagen effluvium | Chemo/toxins | Rapid total thinning | Yes |
| Traction | Tight styles | Hairline/where pulled | Early on |
| Cicatricial | Inflammatory | Patchy; scarring | No (if scarred) |
*“Reversible” means follicles can usually sprout again once the trigger is removed or treatment starts; scarring conditions permanently close the door.
When Should You See a Professional?
- Sudden bald patches, especially if hair comes out in clumps
- Red, scaly, or painful scalp
- Eyebrow or eyelash loss
- Any shedding that simply feels alarming—peace of mind is worth a quick derm visit.
Hair loss isn’t one-size-fits-all. From hormonal hand-me-downs to autoimmune hiccups or tight man-buns, different culprits call for different fixes. Spotting the pattern early—and knowing there are treatment options—can save precious strands and a lot of stress. If in doubt, invite a dermatologist to look at what’s happening on top—they’ve literally seen it all!