Alopecia areata: Am autoimmune disease involving the hair follicle. Causes patchy hair loss, often in small circular areas in different areas of the scalp.
- Alopecia totalis: Total hair loss of the scalp, (an advanced form of alopecia areata).
- Alopecia universalis: Hair loss of the entire body, (also an advanced form of alopecia areata).
- Traction alopecia: Hair loss caused by physical stress and tension on the hair such as long-term use of hair weaving, corn rows and braids etc. hair pulled too tightly on the weak hair can cause permanent hair loss.
- Cicatricial alopecia: Also Known as scarring alopecia, a rare type of hair loss which inflammation destroys hair follicles and causes scar tissue to form in their place. When scar tissue forms, hair does not regrow.
- Telogen effluvium: (temporary hair loss) Caused by Physical stress, emotional stress, thyroid abnormalities, medications, and hormonal causes normally associated with females.
- Anagen effluvium: Due to internally administered medications, such as chemotherapy agents, which poison the growing hair follicle.
Most types of alopecia develop without warning and progress at an unpredictable rate. In some cases, hair growth returns on its own. But Often treatment is necessary to try to restore heathy hair growth.