What Is Hair Loss Called?

The clinical term for hair loss is alopecia. Alopecia can be permanent or temporary, and can cause scalp baldness or total body hair loss.

Types of permanent hair loss

• Adrogenetic alopecia in men causes a thinning at the hairline and top of the head, resulting in partial or total baldness. Women usually only experience thinning of the front, sides and crown. Cicatricial alopecia is rare, causing patchy scalp hair loss.

Causes

• Adrogentic alopecia occurs when growth cycles shorten and new growth falls out easily. Cicatricial alopecia occurs when skin conditions cause inflammation and scarring of hair follicles.

Types of temporary hair loss

• Alopecia areata is an autoimmune skin disease, beginning as small round patches on the head that can progress to total body hair loss. Telogen affluvium occurs suddenly, causing thinning with hair combing and washing. Traction alopecia is hair loss resulting from tight hairstyles.

Causes

• It is believed that there is a genetic predisposition for alopecia areata, but the exact cause is unknown. Telegen effluvium is believed to be caused by stress. Traction alopecia is cause by the constant pulling of hair follicles.

Treatments

• Treatments attempt to increase growth or mask loss. They include Minoxidil (Rogaine), Finasteride (Propecia), corticosteroids, anthralin, and surgical hair transplants or scalp reductions.