Common Hair Loss Conditions
Understanding your condition is the first step towards effective treatment. Here's what we see most often at The PMU Clinic.
Hair loss is rarely straightforward. The same symptom — thinning, shedding, bald patches — can have very different causes. A correct diagnosis from a Registered Trichologist is essential before any treatment begins.
Alopecia Areata
Alopecia areata is an autoimmune condition in which the immune system mistakenly attacks the hair follicles, causing hair to fall out in round or oval patches. It can affect the scalp, beard, eyebrows, and other areas of the body. The condition is unpredictable — hair may regrow spontaneously, or further patches may develop.
Key Symptoms
- Smooth, coin-sized bald patches on the scalp or body
- Exclamation mark hairs at the edges of patches
- Nail pitting or ridging in some cases
- Sudden onset, often without warning
Androgenetic Alopecia
Androgenetic alopecia — commonly known as male or female pattern hair loss — is the most prevalent form of hair loss, affecting both men and women. It is driven by a genetic sensitivity to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which causes follicles to miniaturise over time. In men this typically presents as a receding hairline or crown thinning; in women it more often causes diffuse thinning across the top of the scalp.
Key Symptoms
- Gradual thinning at the crown or temples
- Receding hairline (men)
- Widening parting or diffuse thinning (women)
- Miniaturised, finer hairs in affected areas
Telogen Effluvium
Telogen effluvium is a temporary but often distressing form of hair shedding triggered by a physical or emotional shock to the body. Common triggers include illness, surgery, rapid weight loss, nutritional deficiencies, hormonal changes (including post-partum), and chronic stress. The hair follicles are pushed prematurely into the resting (telogen) phase, resulting in diffuse shedding typically two to three months after the trigger event.
Key Symptoms
- Diffuse, all-over shedding rather than patchy loss
- Noticeably more hair on the pillow, in the shower, or on the brush
- Onset typically 6–12 weeks after a trigger event
- Hair often regrows once the underlying cause is addressed
Traction Alopecia
Traction alopecia is caused by repeated or prolonged tension on the hair follicles, most commonly from tight hairstyles such as braids, weaves, extensions, or high ponytails. Over time, this mechanical stress damages the follicles and can lead to permanent hair loss if not addressed early. It is particularly common along the hairline and temples.
Key Symptoms
- Thinning or breakage along the hairline, temples, or parting
- Follicular inflammation or small pimples in affected areas
- Scalp tenderness or soreness after styling
- Gradual recession of the hairline with continued tension
Scarring Alopecia
Scarring (cicatricial) alopecia is a group of rare conditions in which inflammation destroys the hair follicle and replaces it with scar tissue, resulting in permanent hair loss. Early diagnosis and prompt treatment are critical to halting progression. Types include lichen planopilaris, frontal fibrosing alopecia, and discoid lupus erythematosus.
Key Symptoms
- Permanent bald patches with no follicular openings visible
- Scalp redness, scaling, or burning in active areas
- Itching or pain at the margins of hair loss
- Slow but progressive spread if untreated
Not sure which condition applies to you?
A trichology consultation is the only reliable way to get an accurate diagnosis. We'll examine your scalp, review your history, and build a treatment plan tailored to you.