Al·o·pe·ci·a /ˌaləˈpēSH(ē)ə/
the partial or complete absence of hair from areas of the body where it normally grows; baldness.
Alopecia is a broad term describing hair loss, but alopecia is not created equal across the board. In fact, hair disorders are complex, not just in their presentations but also because they often have a deep psychological impact on those suffering.
There are various different causes and subtypes of alopecia broken down into non-scarring vs. scarring alopecia. With the non-scarring subtypes, hair loss can be significant but the good news is that they present with little inflammation/irritation and the hair follicles are kept intact. Why is this good news? Because that means chances for hair regrowth are higher and more likely. Whereas scarring alopecias destroy the hair follicles, causing irreversible damage to them by replacing them with scar tissue over time.
| Non-Scarring Alopecia | Scarring Alopecia |
|---|---|
| – Alopecia Areata – Androgenetic Alopecia – Telogen Effluvium – Traumatic/Trichotillomania/Traction (early) – Tinea Capitis – Syphilis – Anagen Effluvium |
– Central Centrifugal Cicatricial Alopecia – Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia/Lichen Planopilaris – Traction Alopecia (late) – Chronic Cutaneous Lupus – Pseudopelade of Brocq – Alopecia Mucinosa – Dissecting Cellulitis |
So before jumping to any conclusions about our own hair loss, it is very important to be evaluated for any underlying issues by a board-certified physician as treatment course and prognosis can vary dramatically depending on one’s underlying issues.
