What are the
Types of Alopecia?
If you are someone who keeps wondering how to control hair fall, then there’s a good chance that you are faced with the problem of hair fall. In such a case, it’s easy to conclude that you have alopecia. But what do you know about alopecia?
For a lot of us, alopecia is a rather curious condition as it is characterized by the kind of hair fall that seems out of our control. And most of the blame goes to genes and hormones. But does being genetic or hormone-induced mean it’s unmanageable? Well, it doesn’t have to be.
Let’s understand the different types of alopecia so that we have a better understanding of the condition.
Androgenic Alopecia
Also known as male pattern baldness, this is the kind of alopecia that results from a prolonged effect of androgen (male hormone) on your hair follicles. Sometimes other factors such as seasonal changes, anemia, and malnutrition may aggravate the existing hair fall. In men, this type of alopecia starts right above the temples and their hairline begins to recede eventually. This can cause either partial or complete baldness. Often, this receding happens from the crown area and the frontal scalp, and it can also have an early onset such as when the individual is in his teens or early 20s. However, androgenic alopecia affects women entirely differently. Women don’t experience a receding hairline but thinning of hair, again focused on the crown area. Androgenic alopecia rarely leads to complete baldness in women. It is important to take good care of your hair. One of the top healthy hair tips is to use a good hair fall shampoo such as the Pantene Hairfall Control Shampoo. Also make sure you have a diet rich in proteins. Take supplements of iron , Vitamin D3 and biotin if you are low on them.
Alopecia Areata
You have probably heard about how important your immune system is ever since you were a kid. Well, alopecia areata is a condition that’s caused when your immune system decides to target your hair follicles and disturb your natural hair growth & formation. It is not known why exactly this happens, so we don’t really have any specific hair fall reasons to point our fingers at. However, this condition is linked to several autoimmune conditions and is very rapid in spreading. Those affected by alopecia areata often experience hair fall in round patches. To deal with this condition, home remedies such as almond oil, honey, rosemary oil, etc., acupuncture, and aromatherapy are recommended, although there is no clinical evidence that states that these are actually effective. So, then how to control hair fall? Well, one of the top healthy hair tips would be to consult a professional as soon as this condition sets in.
Alopecia Universalis
A rather advanced form of alopecia areata, alopecia universalis is known to be the most advanced type of alopecia. In this condition, there occurs a total hair loss all over the body. This includes areas such as the nasal cavities and eyes, along with the scalp. Hence, it is imperative to guard oneself from the bacteria, sun and other things. Since this condition is a more advanced version of alopecia areata, it also starts with round patches of hair fall. And while one would want to know exactly what are the main hair fall reasons that play a role here, the exact cause isn’t known. However, many medical professionals attribute this to an irregular interaction between genetic and environmental factors as well as several autoimmune conditions. While there isn’t a proper answer to the question of how to control hair fall here, it should be noted that hair regrowth is said to occur on its own sometimes; even though it’s after many years.
Alopecia Totalis
We have already talked about alopecia areata and alopecia universalis. While alopecia areata develops gradually, alopecia universalis is rather quick. However, alopecia totalis comes somewhere in the middle. A feature that is specific to this condition is that the individual affected only experiences hair fall in the scalp area, as opposed to alopecia universalis which affects the rest of the body. Like the other alopecia types, a faulty immune system is among the top hair fall reasons for this type as well. So, as far as answering the question of how to control hair fall is concerned, the only healthy hair tips would be to take good care of yourself and take your health seriously. And make sure you consult a dermatologist or a trichologist.
Ophiasis
This is the type of alopecia that effectuates hair fall in a wave-like pattern, also known as the snake-like pattern. Ophiasis gets your hairline to recede in a rounded manner. To understand this better, you can probably imagine an island in the sea. With time, the sea consumes the island, making it smaller and smaller. This is exactly what happens with your hair as well. Like all the other types of alopecia, this one also has a certain correlation with your genes and your immune system. Ophiasis usually presents itself in young adults but can also occur later in life. So, one of the best healthy hair tips you can get is to check on your immune system from time to time. Using a hair fall shampoo that works to reduce hair fall also goes a long way as well.
Traction Alopecia
All the types of alopecia that we have talked about earlier are caused by genetic conditions and immune system issues. But this one isn’t. Traction alopecia occurs when you develop damaged hair follicles due to continuous tension over lengthy periods of time. What does this mean? Sometimes, we tend to tie our hair really tightly; this can be in terms of cornrows, tight braids or ponies, buns, etc. These hairstyles are one of the hair fall reasons. But that’s not the only cause for this type of alopecia settling in. It can also occur after facelifts and other surgical changes that might put stress on your roots and give you damaged hair follicles.
Alopecia may seem like the type of condition that is difficult to deal with. But taking good care of your health truly eliminates a lot of your problems. Sure, immune system issues do tend to give you damaged hair and, in a lot of cases, are one of the major hair fall reasons. But the health of your immune system depends entirely on how you treat yourself.
‘How to control hair fall?’ may still be one of the major questions that you might face. One of the best healthy hair tips for that is to infuse fermented rice water into your shampoo. Not only does it keep you away from damaged hair but also eliminates dandruff.
Pantene has merged this fermented water formula with its Pro-Vitamin formula and has come up with a hair fall shampoo known as Pantene Hair Fall Control Shampoo, along with a Pantene Hair Fall Control Conditioner. Apart from that, Pantene has also come up with Open Hair Miracle, a product that gives you the hair you want!
So, if you are someone who really is battling with alopecia, it’s not the end of the world. Just take care of yourself and use the right products. And don’t forget to consult a doctor.