What You Need To Know About Alopecia
Alopecia is often an umbrella term for hair loss. In reality, it’s a little more complex. Follow along for an inside scoop on different forms of hair disorders and common misconceptions.
Types
- Androgenetic Alopecia
The most common hair loss disorder in the female population. This genetic disorder is a progressive condition and the hair loss is spread throughout the entire scalp or can appear as random patches.
- Alopecia Areata
An autoimmune disorder caused by the body’s lack of identification of hair follicles. Basically, your body perceives them as a threat and forces them out.
- Alopecia Totalis & Alopecia Universalis
While both are forms of alopecia, Alopecia Totalis only targets the hair on your head while Alopecia Universalis causes extreme hair loss on your head and body.
What You Need To Know
Diets and self care don’t play a major role in alopecia development. This is true for most cases. While extremely dangerous diets and eating disorders can stunt hair growth, the alopecia conditions listed above are not caused by the food you’re eating. Many women living with different forms of alopecia are young and in great physical health. It’s caused more by genetic disorders and autoimmune disease.
Alopecia can affect every part of your body like your eyebrows, eyelashes, and other body hair. This is known as alopecia universalis.
Alopecia isn’t cut and dry. While some women experience most or total hair loss from this disease, several women are in an unpredictable cycle. For example, some lose their hair for a period of time, then it will begin to grow back. Years after new growth, it will begin to fall out again. Due to the nature of alopecia and it’s gradual hair loss process it may be permanent for some people but that’s not always the case.
There’s no one definitive cure. While we wish there was a go-to cure, androgenetic alopecia is a progressive disease. Some women do see cycles of new hair growth and loss, if you have questions about your alopecia you should always talk to your doctor or see a specialist. If you need help determining the best type of wig or hairpiece for your alopecia status feel free to contact us.
We’re here to help! Do you have ongoing questions about alopecia or want some advice? Contact us.