Types of Hair Loss Disorders

Hair loss conditions are categorized by pattern (diffuse, patterned, or focal) and underlying cause.

1. Nonscarring Alopecia

• Hair follicles (roots) are intact under the skin
• Regrowth of hair shafts is often possible with early treatment
• If left untreated, certain conditions can lead to ongoing and permanent hair loss
• Common types:
  • Androgenetic alopecia (male and female pattern hair loss)
  • Telogen effluvium
  • Anagen effluvium
  • Alopecia areata
  • Early-stage traction alopecia

2. Scarring (Cicatricial) Alopecia

• Inflammation destroys hair follicles permanently
• No regrowth is possible once scarred
• Examples:
  • Central Centrifugal Cicatricial Alopecia (CCCA)
  • Lichen Planopilaris (LPP)
  • Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia (FFA)
  • Discoid Lupus Erythematosus (DLE)
  • Folliculitis Decalvans
  • Dissecting Cellulitis of the Scalp
  • Late-stage traction alopecia

3. Structural Hair Disorders

• Hair shafts become weak or brittle, often due to genetic factors or improper grooming habits
• Acquired forms (resulting from excessive heat, harsh chemicals, etc.) are reversible when the factors that trigger them are stopped
• Inherited forms tend to improve with age but have no cure
• Conditions:
  • Trichorrhexis Nodosa
  • Loose Anagen Syndrome (LAS)