Hair Loss

That feared and widely disliked word—yet still largely misunderstood. In this and upcoming blog posts, we will aim to shed light on all the questions this term raises. We will define it, classify it according to its causes and treatments, and explore possible solutions.

In this way, we hope it becomes a little less feared—just as disliked, but no longer so unknown.

INTRODUCTION

It is important to highlight the significance of hair for people. It is remarkable that something with almost no functional purpose today plays such an important role in socio-cultural relationships and emotional well-being.

One of our clients’ greatest fears is hair loss and its most feared outcome: baldness. A hair care professional should reassure, explain what is happening, and guide and advise the client.

No type of alopecia is better than another, but some have a more favorable prognosis depending on whether the underlying factors are modifiable.

Most types of alopecia are multifactorial. If these factors can be modified and treated professionally, hair loss is often temporary. Not all hair loss leads to baldness, and even when it does, its progression can often be delayed.

“Miracle hair growth products” do not exist, but there are regenerative techniques for certain conditions. It is important not to give up—little improvement is always better than none.

DEFINITION

The definition is simple: a cessation or deficiency in hair regeneration, either temporary or permanent.

CLASSIFICATION

Alopecia that involves the destruction of the hair follicle—and consequently the permanent cessation of hair regeneration—is known as scarring alopecia.

The rest are referred to as non-scarring alopecia, which can be subdivided into two groups based on how they present:

• Circumscribed or areata alopecia (localized in a specific area)
• Diffuse alopecia (not confined to a specific location)