Different forms of baldness

The term “baldness” is generally used to refer to the condition of “alopecia androgenetica”, the most common form of genetic baldness in men.

“Alopecia areata” is another form of baldness and is characterised by the appearance of round hairless patches, even in the beard. On rare occasions the skin also shows visible signs of the condition (in the form of atrophy or red patches).
The hairs at the margins of these patches are typically thin, weak, and almost transparent. The cause of alopecia areata can typically be traced to a state of anxiety, depression or stress, and in most cases the condition can be reversed.

Another form of baldness in men is “frontoparietal alopecia”. This is characterised by an ‘M’ shaped hairline with broad hairless zones at the sides of the forehead and temples. Frontoparietal alopecia is considered clinically distinct from alopecia androgenetica because it not always develops to the same extent.

Women can sometimes suffer from “postpartum alopecia”, a form of hair loss that sets in a few months after childbirth. Luckily, this condition normally resolves itself. It is caused by the increase in galactin and the rapid reduction in oestrogens typical of the post-natal period.

“Traction alopecia” is another form of thinning more common in women than in men. It is caused by mechanical stress from frequent perms and unusual hair styles. In most cases hairs are simply broken off by constant combing or brushing and the simple solution lies in suspending the usual hair style.

In more serious cases, erythema and peeling can occur, leading to permanent damage. Traction alopecia is the reason why some women notice thinning around the parting: constant combing in this area causes aggressive and repeated pulling on the hair.

“Traumatic alopecia” is the appearance of bald patches following a trauma that blocks blood circulation locally for an extended period and “suffocates” the hair bulbs. Hair transplants are the ideal cure for this condition as they restore a population of natural looking healthy follicles.

Other forms of baldness and thinning can be caused by poor diet (often identified by fragile nails), the administration of certain drugs (iatrogenic alopecia), and radiotherapy, and can also appear as side effects of other diseases.
Iatrogenic hair loss is easily cured by suspending administration the drug that caused it.