When people think of hair loss, they often associate it with aging men. However, hair loss can affect anyone and everyone, regardless of age and gender. Also known as alopecia, hair loss can stem from a wide variety of issues, so it is important that patients who are experiencing hair loss visit a board certified dermatologist like Dr. Cheryl Burgess of the Center for Dermatology and Dermatologic Surgery to discuss the cause of their problem to find an effective solution.

Alopecia is the medical term referring to hair loss. Alopecia can be a result of many issues, including changes in hormones or medications. Below are some of the more common types of alopecia that Dr. Cheryl Burgess sees in her practice on a regular basis:

Androgenetic alopecia

Androgenetic alopecia is more commonly known as male pattern baldness or female pattern baldness. Approximately 70 percent of men are affected by androgenetic alopecia while approximately 40 percent of women are. This hereditary issue is caused by hormonal changes that result in the shrinking of hair follicles. It is easy to spot as it starts out as thinning around the temples and then progresses further into the hairline. For most men, it results in a horseshoe shaped area of hair around the head, only covering the sides and back.

Effluvium

Effluvium is a type of alopecia that is caused by hair loss in a specific stage of growth. Hair naturally grows in cycles and if one cycle is affected, it can result in the thinning of hair. It may be caused by a variety of issues such as hormone changes in the body, trauma, vaccinations, surgery and even crash dieting.

Alopecia areata

Alopecia areata is a specific autoimmune disorder that causes the body to attack hair follicles and keep them from producing hair. It is believed that 2 percent of Americans deal with this condition at some point during their lives.

Seeing a dermatologist for hair loss is the first step many patients can take to look and feel better. Hair loss can have a negative impact on the way a patient looks and feels, so building self-confidence can be done with effective hair loss treatments at the Center for Dermatology and Dermatologic Surgery.