Hair is considered nowadays as one of the most important features on our body and the way we style it is our own personal signature, so it’s no wonder we pay so much attention to it.
How Do I Know What Type of Alopecia I Have?
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How Do I Know What Type of Alopecia I Have?
Types of Alopecia and How to Recognize Them
The normal number of hairs on our head ranges between 100,000 and 150,000 strands of hair. While it is normal for us to lose somewhere between 75 to 100 strands of hair on a daily basis, some people experience more extreme hair loss which can cause frustration, embarrassment and low self-esteem.
Abnormal hair loss is otherwise known as alopecia, and can refer to loss of hair on the head and/or the entire body. It affects both men and women and the number of people affected by alopecia increases every day.
There are different types of alopecia which manifest differently. Here we will list them for you and explain how you can recognize them and offer some solutions to this serious problem.
Source: worldalopeciacommunity.org
Alopecia Areata
Alopecia Areata is an autoimmune disorder, where the body’s own immune system acts against the hair follicles and thus prevents normal hair formation and inhibits hair growth on specific body tissues, which causes loss of hair in patches. The causes are still unknow but it is commonly linked to some other autoimmune disorders such as: rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, vitiligo, ulcerative colitis, thyroid disease as well as various allergic disorders. Genetics also play a role with alopecia areata as sometimes it may occur with different members of the family.
Ophiasis
Ophiasis is a type of alopecia areata, where the loss of hair doesn’t occur in patches, but creates a specific pattern around the head which resembles a wave pattern.
Androgenetic alopecia
Androgenetic alopecia is a quite common type of hair loss and can affect men as well as women. With men this affliction is also known as male pattern baldness. You can recognize this type of alopecia by the thinning or complete loss of hair on the crown of the head or hairline starting to recede from the temples. This leaves the man with hair on the back of the head only in a U-shaped pattern, but in time this can result in complete baldness as well.
Alopecia Totalis
Alopecia totalis is yet another auto-immune disorder which causes complete loss of hair on the scalp. There are two types of alopecia totalis: the first type causes the person to completely lose all the hair on their head quickly, while the second type causes slow and patchy hair loss (similarly as with the alopecia aureata) and then slowly causes complete hair loss.
Alopecia Universalis
Alopecia universalis causes the loss of hair over the entire body and thus is the most advanced type of alopecia. This type of alopecia is not only affecting the way a person looks, but it is also extremely hazardous towards the health. Leaving the body without important hairs in areas such as the nose, eyes and scalp, it makes it sensitive to bacteria, sun exposure and other dangerous elements. This is why it is extremely important for people afflicted with this disorder to take special precautions.
Traction alopecia
Traction alopecia is mostly caused by outside factors. As the name itself suggests, this type of hair loss is caused by tension and pulling of the hair over a longer period of time, and typically manifests in people that wear their hair in tight ponytails or braids, especially cornrows. This causes damage to the hair follicle as well as the hair strands themselves and thus leads to hair loss. This type of alopecia can also be caused by procedures such as face lifts which cause tension on the hairline.
Chignon Alopecia
Chignon alopecia is a type of traction alopecia which is usually most common for ballet dancers. Their way of styling the hair in a high tight bun causes loss of hair at the crown of the head.
Folliculitis
Folliculitis is a very common skin infection which results in hair loss and is caused by bacteria. The bacteria cause inflammation of the skin around the follicle and the hair within the affected area can be easily pulled out. It is quite common and can be treated as not very serious, however if left untreated it may lead to deeply rooted bacteria which can escalate into a disease.
Lichen Planopilaris
Lichen Planopilaris is a disease which attacks the mouth and skin and causes redness and inflammation of the skin. This condition can cause permanent hair loss in severe cases.
Telogen Effluvium
Telogen effluvium is a condition which is caused by some illness or by stress which causes the hair follicle to enter into a resting stage before its time and thus cease hair growth.
Trichorrehexis nodosa
Trichorrehexis nodosa is a condition which appears as a result of the hair lacking cuticle layer. It is manifested down the hair strand’s length through swelling and fraying nodes in specific spots.
WHAT WE RECOMMEND
Many studies have shown that aside of genetic, autoimmune and bacterial conditions, hair loss can also be caused by poor nutrition, certain nutrient deficits, limited food intake as well as stress. Along with proper diet and medication, we cannot put enough emphasis on proper hair care and nurturing your hair and scalp from the outside as well.
Top dermatologists and hair professionals worldwide recommend the Revita hair shampoo and conditioner with 100% natural ingredients. They stimulate hair growth while at the same time prevent further hair loss. Not only that, you will have thicker, stronger and fuller hair than before.
Along with the shampoo and conditioner we also recommend the reactive topicals:
- Spectral. DNC-N for visible hair thinning that is not confined to the crown of the head. It not only provides deep follicle treatment that rejuvenates the follicles and boosts hair growth, it also fights perifollicular fibrosis as part of androgenetic alopecia.
- Spectral. DNC-S tackles hair thinning problems even more aggressively. Containing novel ion-channel openers, it has proven effective in reawakening already atrophied hair follicles.
- Spectral. CSF is a product specialised for women and is specially developed according to unique female hair thinning factors such as follicular bulb size, hormonal fluctuations, skin sensitivity and styling practices.
- Spectral F7 can fight thinning and improve follicular health in early stages of thinning. It can also be used to boost the effect of primary products such as DNC-N and can be used by both men and women.
- Spectral RS is a proactive anti-aging topical which uses advance technology to oppose perifollicular fibrosis, hormonal imbalances, environmental stressors, vitamin and mineral deficiencies as well as medication side effects.
* Please be aware that caution should be taken if you are sensitive to any of the ingredients of our products. Always read the instructions carefully, and consult your doctor on simultaneous usage with other prescribed medication or beauty products as nanosomes may increase absorption of other products.