Alopecia / Hair Loss

Alopecia is the absence or slowing of hair growth in an area of the body where hair formerly grew. This disorder has several causes, including physical damage to the hair shaft or follicles and fungal infections. Telogen effluvium, which is when the hair's growth cycle is disrupted temporarily by such temporary problems such as a chemical imbalance or stress, is another cause. Alopecia areata, an autoimmune condition that causes patchy areas of hair loss on the scalp and sometimes the body, may also cause alopecia. The vast majority of cases of hair loss in both men (male pattern baldness) and women (female diffuse baldness), however, are genetic in origin. This is called androgenetic alopecia.