Everything you want to know about the different types of alopecia

Alopecia is defined in the dictionary as "pathologic hair fall or loss". But, what causes this hair loss? What types of alopecia exist? And, above all, how can I avoid this problem so that it does not result in baldness? Check out this post to learn everything you need to know about this problem, which is increasingly widespread in both men and women. Furthermore, we give you tips for recovering your hair and therefore avoid premature loss.  

What is alopecia areata? 

It is a type of alopecia that causes round patchy hair loss on the head, which is generally limited to a specific point but it can also be extended to a hair loss all over the head (alopecia areata totalis) or all over the body (alopecia universalis), as we will see later.

The causes of this alopecia are not clearly identified, however, it is known that it is usually linked to emotional stress or to autoimmune disorders; and without distinction as to sex or age.

In this alopecia areata, the body itself attacks the hair follicles, stopping hair growth, hair regeneration and the growth of new hair. However, it may be that those follicles are not totally destroyed, because hair may grow back, but it is also known that this type of alopecia usually reappears at regular intervals.

There is no known way to prevent alopecia areata yet, but there are some capillary treatments to speed its disappearance. All of them are associated with corticosteroids injections, nutrition supplements or actives substances as Redensyl which acts directly on the hair follicles reactivating its stem cells. In these cases, psychotherapy may be a very useful option, particularly where there is an initial cause of emotional stress that have triggered an alopecia areata.

What is alopecia areata universalis?

This variation of the alopecia areata is characterized by an extension of hair disappearance over the whole body.

People affected by alopecia areata universalis suffer a strong reduction of hair production. The body's own immune system fights the hair follicles, and leaves them in a state of hibernation. When these hair follicles return to receive the right signal, they may return to produce hair.

This disease is the most aggressive form of the alopecia areata, and in some cases (although this is not always so) it can be related to hereditary causes.

What is androgenic alopecia?

Androgenic alopecia is the most common type in this kind of disease, affecting 95% of men who suffer alopecia. Also known as androgenetic alopecia, premature androgenic alopecia, common or pattern baldness in male and female, but it is normally a male alopecia, which in most of the cases is inherited.

There are two factors that determine the causes of this baldness: genetic factor and hormonal factor, where the androgens production (male hormones) is weakened and attacks the scalp, affecting the regular cycle of hair growth.

This alopecia is normally measured by the Norwood scale which is used in order to determine how advanced a man’s hair loss or level of alopecia is. When level 5 is exceeded, it comes near to 'a point of no return' in which the hair follicles end up dying and the problem itself might be only solved by means of capillary micrografts. Thus, the hair treatment in the fight against androgenic alopecia has to begin before, by activating the hair follicles just in time.

What is diffuse alopecia?

Diffuse alopecia is the excessive shedding of hair that is usually produced by chronic diseases, caused by stress or hormonal changes that occur at the end of pregnancy and childbirth. The hair enters the phase telogen during more time than normal, and in this phase of the cycle the hair stops growing and the follicles stop producing.

This type of alopecia does not normally take to a total baldness, and though having more or less acute phases (it may affect up to 90% of the hair) is reversible when the cause that triggeredthe hair loss is eliminated.

What is hormonal alopecia?

Hormonal alopecia is usually a female type of alopecia.

Healthy women hair is linked to the situation of two determinant hormones: the lack of androgens and the stable presence of estrogens.

When this balance is disturbed, hair loss appears, and in some cases, it may be irreversible.

The causes of the female hair lossare very diverse: since the intake of specific medication to the childbirth, but in many occasions hair loss is due to stress, menopause and certain diseases (as anorexia) that decrease estrogen levels radically.

When the cause is related to increased androgen levels, the alopecia becomes definitive, since these hormones kill the hair follicle, preventing hair growth.

The treatment for the female hair loss is always determined by the cause that has produced it. And that might be for different reasons as taking tablets for increasing nutrient levels, using special shampoos or, in the worst cases, undergoing to a hair transplant.

What causes male hair loss and the female hair loss?

The causes that determine an alopecia or baldness are very varied, therefore an accurate diagnosis is required to help decide which hair loss treatment is best suited for each situation.

After reviewing of all kinds of alopecia and its specific causes, now we list the general causes that may produce hair loss and for that reason it is necessary to pay attention to identify the problem as soon as possible:

• Stress or traumatic situations, can disturb the normal cycle of hair growth, as in the case of alopecia areata which may be both forms, female and male pattern baldness.
• Aging hair, from for 40 years on our hair lose thickness, and therefore density. And the rest of the organs and tissues start to get worn out and stops generating new hair progressively.
• Using harmful hair products, as hair-dryers, rollers or hot curlers, stylers, straighteners, hair dyes, etc. Many products for the hair are damaging and can alter capillary health, by weakening its root, breaking it, and causing hair loss.
• Male hormones, as we have already seen, the alopecia caused by male hormones (androgens) is the most serious, since it is irreversible. Although it is mostly a male alopecia, it can affect women as well.
• Transitory states or transitory diseases, as childbirth, anemia, etc. Whenever there is a hormonal disorder or nutritional, or both, the cycle of hair growth gets unbalanced and what is known as ‘telogen effluvium’ is produced. This means that the body remains a time abnormally prolonged in the telogen phase of the cycle, causing a stagnation of the hair follicles which stop producing new hair. This situation returns to reverse when the levels of proteins and hormones get unbalanced – although sometimes it can take up to 6 months to recover.

Is Redenhair a treatment option against alopecia effective for all types of alopecia?

Redenhair is a hair treatment that, if it is used together and for a sufficient time, it stops hair loss and avoids worse consequences as having to undergo to a hair transplant or micrografts, or having to fight against alopecia.

All the products in Redenhair have the main task of reactivating the hair follicles and providing the necessary nutrients; whether from the nutrition supplement, shampoo or hair serum, its actives substances are directly involved on the hair fiber, by regenerating it and stimulating hair growth.

Redenhair prevents hair loss and has positive effects on every type of alopecia, therefore if it is used in a preventive way, it may contribute to stop a definitive alopecia (as androgenic alopecia). Besides, it provides the nutrients you need to balance the levels of hormones (as in the case of female hormonal alopecia) and above all, it reactivates the hair follicles, which are the responsible of the hair regeneration.