A Guide to the Different Types of Hair Loss

Hair loss is a commonly known side effect of aging among men and women, with millions of people impacted every year. But anyone of any age can experience hair loss for a wide variety of reasons, from hormonal changes to hairstyles. 

While hair loss might seem like a vanity issue, losing your hair can impact your confidence and mental health, creating a domino effect that can impact more areas of your life than just your scalp. Luckily, there are plenty of treatments to address hair loss, no matter what the cause or how much you want to do about it. 

Keep reading to learn more about the common types of hair loss, what to look out for, and available treatments.

Androgenetic Alopecia

Androgenetic alopecia—often referred to as male pattern or female pattern hair loss— is the most common form of hair loss in the United States, with 50 million men and 30 million women affected. Although hereditary, this type of hair loss is largely driven by sensitivity to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a derivative of the male hormone testosterone. This driving force causes the condition to affect men and women differently.

For women, the hair thins over the scalp but not at the hairline and doesn’t typically lead to baldness. But for men, hair thinning begins at the hairline and often continues to the top and sides of the head. The majority of men who have male pattern hair loss will become bald.

Because this condition affects nearly a quarter of the country’s population, there are plenty of popular and effective treatments available. Plasma hair restoration is a non-surgical treatment that both promotes hair growth and prevents further hair loss. During a PRP treatment, a clinician will inject your own blood’s plasma into your scalp. The concentrated plasma’s platelets will help stimulate growth at the follicle level. PRP is a popular option because it’s non-surgical, has no downtime, and provides results for up to 9 months.

Topical treatments like minoxidil are also popular, and available in formulations for men and women. The foam works to reactivate hair follicles, with proven results in just 3 months. 

Telogen Effluvium

Hair follicles, like skin cells, move through several growth stages. Telogen effluvium occurs when hair follicles enter the telogen phase (aka the resting phase) of the growth cycle, and don’t regrow. This typically occurs in response to a shock or stress to the system, which can cause disruptions in the hair growth cycle and lead to increased shedding. People experiencing telogen effluvium lose on average 300-500 hairs a day around the crown and temples. 

This type of hair loss is most commonly seen in postpartum women, and may be referred to as postpartum hair loss. However, it can also be caused by other hormonal changes, like getting off birth control, or a vitamin deficiency. Most people affected by telogen effluvium due to medical events start seeing hair growth again 6 months later. To speed up hair growth, try a topical treatment proven to restore hair growth — Virtue’s shampoo and conditioner is clinically proven to improve volume and reduce hair loss.

Traction Alopecia and Central Centrifugal Cicatricial Alopecia

These two types of hair loss are grouped together because they’re caused by hairstyles and products, not genetic or medical events. Traction alopecia is caused by frequently wearing tight braids and/or ponytails, while central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia is caused by certain products and treatments, like oils, gels, pomades, relaxers, extensions and perming. Both types of hair loss will typically stop once you’ve either stopped wearing the style or using the product, but hair can take a while to grow back.

A supplement like biotin can help restore hair growth, and can be taken either as a supplement or delivered directly to the bloodstream. Modern Age’s Skin & Hair IV Drip Therapy delivers a clinically created blend of biotin and Vitamin C, proven to improve hair (and skin!) health.  

If you’re concerned about hair loss, a visit with one of our certified clinicians can put you on the path to healthier hair with our Aging Wellness Assessment. You’ll get a holistic view of your health, including the factors that can contribute to hair loss, alongside a custom treatment plan for your unique goals and concerns. If you are not sure where to start, book a  free consultation.