Types of baldness

Due to the differing roots of baldness, baldness can be classified into many different types of hair loss.

• Alopecia Areata indicates a sudden loss of hair in one area that will eventually grow back. When there is a total loss of body hair, caused by Alopecia Areata, re-growth is far less likely and, in both occurrences, the cause of the hair loss is generally unknown.
• Toxic Alopecia follows severe illness, chemotherapy, thyroid disease. It is reversible.
• Scarring Alopecia is caused by burns, X-Rays and injury. Scar tissue blocks regeneration of hair.
• Male-pattern baldness is considered a hereditary condition, which can surface at any age between 18-35 years. Hair loss often starts on the front, sides, and/or on the crown of the head. Some men may develop a bald spot or just a receding hair line, while others may end up losing all their hair.
• Though less common in occurrence and weaker in intensity, female-pattern baldness differs from that of male-pattern baldness in that the hair generally thins all over the head, but the frontal hairline is maintained. Female-pattern baldness rarely results in total hair loss.
• Anemia, illness and trauma, medication, hormonal changes during menopause also cause thinning of hair in women.
• Trichotillomania (Hair Pulling) is yet another type of hair loss, caused by individuals that pull on their hair due to stress or habit. Certain religious sects and cults also practice Trichotillomania (Jains of Norther India) as part of a religious vow while some others resort to shaving or giving up their hair as an offering that denotes victory over vanity.