Most hair loss can be categorized into three types:
• Noncicatricial (potentially reversible).
• Cicatricial (irreversible hair loss associated with destruction of the stem cell reservoir).
• Hair loss due to hair shaft abnormalities.
Noncicatricial alopecia has several subtypes:
• Androgenetic alopecia (common baldness)
• Alopecia areata (isolated or recurrent patchy hair loss)
• Traction alopecia and trichotillomania
• Telogen effluvium (shedding)
• Anagen effluvium.
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Kinds of alopecia disorders
Alopecia areataltotalis/uruversalis
Prevention: N/A
Treatment:
• Cortizone shots
• Minoxidil lotions
• Anrralin
• Dithranol
• Cyclosporin
PUVAt/Laser treatments
• Retin-A (tretinoin)
• Herbal remedies
• Zinc
• Non surgical hair replacement -Wigs
• Relaxation methods (message, meditation, prayer, acupuncture)
Alopecia sentils: Diffused thinning all over the scalp; prompted by age and the slowing of the body’s regenetive processes
Alopecia syphilirica: Hair loss caused by syphilis
Anagen effluvium
Prevention/Treatment: N/A
Intervention: Hair regrows after treatments are over
Many cancer patients experience anagen effluvium during chemotherapy treatments. Hair usually grows back after treatment is discontinued. Anagen effluvium basically means hair lost in the growth phase.
Friction alopecia: This disorder is caused by constant friction on the hair and scalp. The usual culprits are from hats, wigs and maybe your pillows.
Prevention: Use satin pillows and avoid wearing hats or wigs too tight.
Hair will eventually grow back on its own in this case once the constant friction is stopped.
Hyperthyroidism
Prevention: N/A
Treatment: See your doctor
Hyperthyroidism increases conversion of testosterone to estrogen. The hair becomes soft and fine,
Hypothyroidism
Prevention: N/A
Treatment: See your doctor
Hypo-thyroidism causes Low levels of testosterone. This causes the hair to dry out and become fragile and coarse.
Loose anagen syndrome
Prevention: N / A
Treatment:
• Satin Pillows
• Time
Loose anagen syndrome is a hair loss condition that is notorious in children. This non-inflammatory, non-scarring syndrome leaves hair very loose and pulls out easily. Its appearance can be diffused or patchy and the hairs that remain are usually short and unruly. In some cases loose anagen is more apparent at the back of the scalp.
This could be due to rubbing of the head on the pillow when sleeping, To help reduce rubbing, sleep with a scarf and satin pillow.
What happens is the root sheaths that support the hair shaft are not fitting together properly. Because the connection is not affixed as it should normally, the hair is not anchored and easily falls out. Even with the sheaths not operating at full capacity the hair is still in an active growth phase.
With children, fortunately, as they grow older the condition improves on its own.
Lupus.
Systematic lupus erytharosus (SLE) is a chronic disease that inflames many organ systems. Women are mostly afIectedcompared to the male counterparts. This is an aura immune disorder which cause is unknown. When the inflammation is at its height, hair loss can occur, sometimes permanently.
Metabolic alopecia: Cirrhosis of the liver, diabetes mellitus
Nutritional alopecia: This disorder is developed from dietary deficiencies or digestive problems absorbing vitamins and minerals
Post febrile alopecia: Prompted by scarlet fever, typhoid, pneumonia meningitis
Scarring alopecia: Sometimes caused by excessive heat overtime from such things like curling irons. blow dryers, hot combs, radiation, trauma and burns etc. Unfortunately, when scarring occurs on the hair follicles the damage is permanent and irreversible. Alternatively, hair transplants could be a great solution for you.
Telogen effluvium
Prevention:
• Healthy diet
• Therapy
Treatments:
• Corticosteroids
• Betnovate scalp lotion
• Vitamins A, B, E and zinc tablets
• Nioxin
• Minoxidil
• Mild shampoos
• Mild conditioners,
• Stress reduction (message, meditation, acupuncture, prayer, time)
This temporary form of hair loss is a result of traumatic stress. I’m not talking about the normal stresses of everyday life. I’m talking about. trauma, such as a sudden death of a loved one, divorce, loss of a job, things of that nature. Pregnant women who have just given birth are susceptible to this as well. Other contributors to telogen effluvium could be a major surgery, a bad diet low in protein, or when a woman gets off of birth control pills.
Telogen effluvium’s name is derived from the word telogen, which is one of the hair growth stages, specifically the resting phase. In this case, when a traumatic event occurs, 90% of hairs that are in the growth stage shift to the resting phase. What makes this even more devastating is that the hair doesn’t come out at the time of the stressful event. The reaction of hair loss is delayed so far down the line that it doesn’t show up until anywhere from 3 to .6 months after the trauma.
The follicle in this circumstance is not dead or damaged. Usually when the stress or trauma has been dealt with the hair returns to the normal growth stages.
Traction alopecia
Prevention: Avoid tight hairstyles (Ponytails, braids, cornrows, tight rollers, tight clips), let a salon professional do all chemical processes
Intervention: 2% Regain, looser styles and time
Unlike some of the other types of hair loss, this one is preventable. Traction alopecia is caused by tight hairstyles that pull the hair damaging the hair [oHides. Hairstyles like braids, weaves, tight ponytails and cornrows are usually the problem. Chemical processes such as perms and hair relaxers that also can contribute ..
How androgenetic alopecia appear?
The enzyme 5 alphareductase and the hormonal dihydrotestosterone have the effect of androgenetic alopecia. The enzyme changes testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which in turn cuts down on the amount of follicles and results in stiffing of the membranes of the scalp and boost the secretion of grease on the scalp and hair.
Thereby we see the miniaturization of the follicles that generate hair always thinner and thinner till the roots die and the hair falling can not be replaced by regrowth.
Research has established that alopecia is not due to an excess of DHT, but a genetic predisposition that influences DHT, thereby weakening the follicles.
For men who are genetically predisposed to baldness, the hormone DHT produces the following effect:
1. The growth phase (called anagen) decreases.
2. The follicles are experiencing hair miniaturization and produce ever more tenuous.
3. The number of hairs diminishes.
Severe hair loss can be avoided in this situation by just steering clear of extremely tight styles. IAfrican American women experience this disorder most, mostly to some extent due to the amount of tension and product used on the hairline. Also, a great deal of heat and rigorous brushing with a hard brush is used on the hairline, which is already fragile. With braids, relaxers and tight styles, they are even more at risk.
Chemicals can be a crucial component because of the potential to weaken the hair shaft. Some women will constantly over process their hair without considering the damage they are doing. The true damage is not evident to the naked eye until severe damage is done .. For example, many women prefer to do a chemical relaxer at home to save money. Even though there are a lot of products on the market that enable you to do this service at home, it is still a chemical procedure. It is almost inevitable to overlap when doing a touch up or over process when doing your own hair. But my main concern here which women do not realize until [00 late is the potential of getting a chemical. burn. The damage of chemical bums can cause scarring to the follide. Some women can get away with constantly doing their own chemical services at home without consequences. However, for many others traction alopecia and scarring alopecia is waiting for them. So if you insist on continuing the use of chemical relaxers or any chemical for that matter, I strongly encourage you go to a professional stylist.
In addition to high alkaline chemicals like relaxers, bleaches and excessive color can also weaken [he hair shaft. Excess with any of these procedures could cause breakage and hair loss. Again, these are chemicals. Even though manufacturers have made it simple you run the risk of overlapping and over processing your hair. It is best to have a professional do it.
The good news is that when traction alopecia is detected early enough, your hair will grow back. Unfortunately, if your hair follicle is dead, that hair will not grow back. The only option after the follicle dies is possibly hair transplantation.
Trichotillomania (Hair pulling disorder)
Prevention: Wear scarfs, wigs, and hair systems to avoid access to hair; stop pulling hair
Intervention/Treatment: Psychological therapy, behavioral counseling, Clomipramine (AnafrH), obsessive-compulsive disorder treatment.
The main characteristic of this disorder is where people twist and pull out their own hair. Trichotillomania is one of [hose things that are very real to the person who is affected. However, others who don’t understand this disorder may make insensitive comments like, “Why you don’t just stop?” Well, for most it is not that easy. This behavior is considered to be a psychological or stress disorder.
I have clients who suffer from trichotillomania. When I first encountered a client with this disorder I was confused because I couldn’t understand why someone would want to pull their own hair om. She seemed to have it all, physically attractive woman, very intelligent, happily married, with a great job as a banker. Now why in the world I thought, would a woman with all this just sit there and pull her hair out? So I asked her, and she simply replied “Because it feels good.” Okay, so what can I say to that! But as she continued, she admitted that after she stops pulling her hair she starts to feel guilty. And the cycle continues.
Another client with this condition that I worked with was a child. At 9 years old, she was very pretty and smart (yes, she could tell you a thing or tool). I asked her (he same thing, why do you pull your hair out? She said, “Sometimes I don’t even realize that I’m doing it, it just feels good when I do it.” 1 said, “Sort of like biting your nails?” She smiled and said, “Exactly!”
Since then, I have worked with many people who have suffered from this disorder. Reasons for this behavior varies, however the common denominator is the same — they cannot just stop. It is a very real and over time a very disturbing disorder. The best treatment-in this case is to work with a psychologist to attempt to break the habit and to use Minoxidil to help regrow your hair. In the meantime, try to keep your hair out of reach by wearing a scarf or a wig. Alternatively, if the behavior of pulling and twisting persist, the probability of your hair follicles dying overtime is high.
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