Different Types of Hair Loss You Should Know About

Over the past few years, celebrities have become much more open about everything from plastic surgery to hair loss. In the latter category, Jada Pinkett Smith has emerged as an ardent spokesperson for alopecia, a common type of hair loss, after first sharing about her experiences with the disease in 2018.

Unfortunately, many people feel a sense of shame when it comes to hair loss, even though it's fairly common. In fact, according to NYU Langone Health, approximately 50 million men and 30 million women are affected by the most common form of hair loss in the United States, which is androgenetic alopecia. Still, trying to identify the exact cause of your hair loss isn't so cut and dry. Certain forms of hair loss are permanent, while others are reversible; some are a more gradual thinning of the hair and others are rapid. All of them, however, can be upsetting.

Do note that losing a few strands of hair in the shower or after brushing every now and again is completely normal. New York City-based dermatologist Sejal Shah, MD, previously told POPSUGAR that, on average, a person can lose 50 to 100 hairs per day, give or take. This is because the hair follicle has a natural growth cycle that includes growing, resting, and shedding phases; once the follicle reaches the resting phase, it sheds. However, if you ever find yourself losing more than that, it's best to consult your doctor to ensure it's not the result of an underlying condition. And because figuring out the type of hair loss that you're dealing with can be tricky, we broke down some of the most common forms ahead.

Editor's Note: We're not trichologists or dermatologists, so while our goal is to equip you with the best information, you should always check with your doctor before self-diagnosing and/or starting a treatment plan.

Androgenetic Alopecia

This is the most common form of hair loss. It's a hereditary, nonscarring form of alopecia that occurs in men and women, and it can progress over the course of years or decades. In men, this form of alopecia normally starts at the top of the head and eventually leads to baldness, while in women the hair on the scalp slowly thins out over time, though baldness is rarely a result.

Traction Alopecia

Traction alopecia occurs as the result of the hair follicles being damaged or pulled too much over time. Usually people who regularly wear their hair in tight hairstyles like braids and ponytails suffer from this kind of hair loss, and it frequently occurs along the hairline or near the temples.

Alopecia Areata

This is an autoimmune form of hair loss that occurs when the immune system attacks the hair follicles. It occurs in patches all throughout the head.

Central Centrifugal Cicatricial Alopecia

Also known as CCCA, this is a scarring form of alopecia that is most commonly seen in Black women — though it can still be seen in women and men of all races — and can result in permanent hair loss. It can be genetic, though it also occurs in women who frequently wear their hair in tight hairstyles.

Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia

Frontal fibrosing alopecia affects the hairline and eyebrows with permanent hair loss that progresses over time.

Telogen Effluvium

Telogen Effluvium is caused by physiologic stress to the body following conditions like anemia, low iron, surgery, general anesthesia, changes in hormones, or others. When this happens, the hair enters its resting phase but doesn't enter the growth phase. It's nonpermanent and can improve when the condition causing it does.

Anagen Effluvium

With this type of hair loss, hair that's in the growing phase falls out at a rapid rate, and it usually occurs during medical treatments like chemotherapy. This also isn't permanent, and the hair grows back once the treatment ends.

Trichotillomania

Commonly seen in children, this is a psychological disorder that causes a person to pull out their own hair.

Folliculitis

Folliculitis occurs when hair follicles become inflamed because of a bacterial or fungal infection. This can look like acne or small bumps around the hair follicle that can clear within a few days, though if it's not treated, it can lead to permanent hair loss.