Losing your hair is an understandable fear. Roughly 85% of men and 33% of women will experience hair loss of some variety. Male pattern baldness, medically referred to as androgenetic alopecia, makes up about 95% of the cases of male hair loss in the U.S. In addition, more than half the men out there will face hair thinning and hair loss by age 35.

What Are the Common Types of Hair Loss?

• Androgenic alopecia (Male or female pattern baldness) – 95% of hair loss cases are androgenic alopecia, visually denoted by either a receding hairline or a bald spot at the crown of the head. The majority of males experience this by age 50, although outlying cases can strike as early as puberty. In women, it usually manifests post-menopause.
• Traction alopecia – Caused by tension on the hair strands. Tight or pulled back hairstyles including ponytails, braids, or cornrows are usually the root cause.
• Telogen effluvium – This is when the hair growth cycle is disrupted and excessively enters its telogen, or resting, phase early. It usually presents as an overall thinning of the hair or shedding.
• Alopecia areata – An autoimmune condition that results in patchy hair loss producing coin-sized bald spots on the scalp or other areas of the body. In the majority of cases the trigger cannot be identified.
• Scarring alopecia (cicatricial alopecia) – Usually a permanent loss of hair caused when a disease or health disorder destroys the hair follicle, preventing regrowth.

How Do I Know What Type of Hair Loss I Have?

The hair loss pattern provides some clues. A detailed diagnosis is required in order to make a final determination. That allows your hair restoration doctor to develop an effective, custom treatment plan.

What Hair Type Loses the Most Hair?

The idea that different hair types lose hair at different rates is nothing more than inaccurate folklore. Both straight and curly hair have the same growth rate and suffer loss at the same rate.

The misconception is probably rooted in the fact that curly hair is subject to more opportunities for breakage. Styling, heated beauty tools, and attempting to remove tangles can all increase the rate of loss, but it has nothing to do with the type of hair.

How Do I Know If My Hair Loss Is Normal?

The average person loses 50-100 hairs a day left in the shower drain or on their hairbrush. If your part is getting wider or you see increasing space between hairline and eyebrows it might be time to get a diagnosis.

Contact La Mesa Medical Hair Restoration Today

At La Mesa Medical Hair Restoration, we have been treating hair loss for more than 20 years, which means we have extensive expertise in diagnosing and treating hair loss causes. No matter the type of hair loss, we will work with you to develop a bespoke treatment plan, custom tailored to your specific case. Contact us today to arrange a consultation.