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Baldness is not one condition — it is six distinct patterns (androgenetic alopecia, alopecia areata, telogen effluvium, scarring alopecia, traction alopecia, trichotillomania), each with a different cause and treatment path. Androgenetic alopecia (pattern hair loss) is the most common type, driven by genetics and DHT sensitivity in hair follicles.

# Different Types of Baldness

## What Are the Main Types of Baldness?

Doctors classify hair loss under the umbrella term alopecia. Some forms are non-scarring, where follicles stay intact and regrowth is possible. Scarring (cicatricial) forms damage follicles permanently if treatment is delayed.

- Androgenetic alopecia (genetic pattern loss)
- Alopecia areata (autoimmune patchy loss)
- Telogen effluvium (diffuse shedding after a trigger)
- Scarring alopecia (inflammatory follicle destruction)
- Traction alopecia (tension from hairstyles)
- Trichotillomania (hair-pulling disorder)

## What Is Androgenetic Alopecia (Pattern Hair Loss)?

Androgenetic alopecia is the most common cause of progressive thinning in men and women. Follicles shrink over time due to sensitivity to dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Men typically show a receding hairline and crown thinning; women usually keep the hairline but lose density along the part line and mid-scalp.

- Signs: receding hairline (men), widening part (women), crown thinning
- Common treatments: topical minoxidil, prescription medication, hair transplantation

## What Is Alopecia Areata?

Alopecia areata occurs when the immune system attacks hair follicles, causing sudden round or oval bald patches. Severe forms include alopecia totalis (full scalp) and alopecia universalis (scalp and body hair). The scalp skin usually looks normal, without heavy scaling.

- Signs: sudden round patches, normal-looking scalp skin, unpredictable course
- Common treatments: topical or injected corticosteroids, immune-directed therapy

## What Is Telogen Effluvium?

Telogen effluvium is temporary diffuse shedding that starts 2–3 months after a trigger such as illness, surgery, rapid weight loss, childbirth, severe stress, or certain medications. The scalp thins evenly rather than showing bald patches. Regrowth typically follows once the trigger resolves.

- Signs: even thinning, heavy shedding in shower or brush, delayed onset after trigger
- Common approach: identify and treat the trigger; medical work-up if shedding exceeds six months

## What Is Scarring (Cicatricial) Alopecia?

Scarring alopecia is a group of inflammatory conditions that destroy follicles and replace them with scar tissue, including lichen planopilaris, frontal fibrosing alopecia, discoid lupus, and folliculitis decalvans. Hair does not regrow in already-scarred areas, so early treatment matters.

- Signs: burning, itching, scaling, pustules, shiny bald patches
- Diagnosis: trichoscopy, sometimes scalp biopsy
- Common approach: early anti-inflammatory treatment to slow progression

## What Is Traction Alopecia?

Traction alopecia results from repeated tension on hair from tight braids, ponytails, buns, extensions, or certain headwear. It usually appears along the hairline and temples. Caught early, reducing tension allows regrowth; years of continued pulling can cause permanent follicle damage.

- Signs: thinning at hairline and temples, worse with tight styling
- Prevention: rotate hairstyles, loosen braids and ponytails, limit heat and chemicals

## What Is Trichotillomania?

Trichotillomania is a hair-pulling disorder where a person repeatedly pulls out their own hair, often during stress, boredom, or anxiety. Hair loss looks irregular, with broken hairs of different lengths. Treatment addresses the behavior rather than the follicles.

- Signs: irregular patches, broken hairs of uneven length
- Common treatments: habit-reversal therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, medication when needed

## What Other Conditions Look Like Baldness?

Fungal infections (tinea capitis), psoriasis, and seborrheic dermatitis can all cause breakage and shedding that mimics baldness. Scaling, oozing, pustules, swollen lymph nodes, or patchy loss in a child warrant evaluation, since these need targeted treatment.

- Look-alikes: tinea capitis, psoriasis, seborrheic dermatitis

## How Do Doctors Diagnose the Type of Baldness?

Diagnosis starts with a pattern check: location of thinning, speed of onset, and symptoms like itch, pain, or scaling. Dermoscopy (trichoscopy) examines hairs and follicles directly. Blood tests can check iron status or thyroid function, and a scalp biopsy confirms scarring alopecia subtypes.

## What Treatments Work for Each Type?

Treatment depends on diagnosis, not on baldness as a single condition. Topical minoxidil and prescription therapies address pattern hair loss. Telogen effluvium improves once the underlying trigger is treated. Traction alopecia responds to changed styling habits. Scarring alopecia needs anti-inflammatory care before hair transplantation is considered.

- Pattern loss: minoxidil, prescription medication, hair transplantation
- Telogen effluvium: treat the trigger
- Traction alopecia: change styling habits
- Scarring alopecia: anti-inflammatory treatment first

## When Should You See a Dermatologist?

Seek evaluation for sudden patchy loss, scalp pain or burning, pus or crusting, rapid progression, or smooth shiny patches — these can signal autoimmune or scarring disease. Also seek care if shedding lasts longer than six months or you have signs of anemia, thyroid disease, or nutritional deficiency.

## Key Facts

- Most common type: androgenetic alopecia (genetic, DHT-driven)
- Non-scarring types: androgenetic alopecia, alopecia areata, telogen effluvium, traction alopecia (early stage), trichotillomania
- Scarring types: lichen planopilaris, frontal fibrosing alopecia, discoid lupus, folliculitis decalvans
- Telogen effluvium onset: 2–3 months after the triggering event
- Diagnostic tools: trichoscopy, blood tests (iron, thyroid), scalp biopsy
- Hair transplantation candidacy: stable pattern hair loss with adequate donor hair; not for active scarring alopecia

## Related Topics

This page is the hub for baldness types covered on Hair Center of Turkey:

- Androgenetic alopecia and receding hairlines
- Alopecia areata and stress-related hair loss
- Telogen effluvium
- Frontal fibrosing alopecia
- Traction alopecia
- Trichotillomania (hair-pulling disorder)
- Tinea capitis and scalp infections
- Thyroid disease and hair loss

## Frequently Asked Questions

### What is Stage 7 of balding?
Stage 7 refers to the most advanced stage on the Norwood scale for male pattern baldness, showing a horseshoe-shaped band of hair remaining only on the sides and back of the scalp, with the top and crown completely bald.

### What are the different kinds of baldness?
The main types are androgenetic alopecia, alopecia areata, telogen effluvium, scarring (cicatricial) alopecia, traction alopecia, and trichotillomania. Each has a distinct cause, ranging from genetics to autoimmune activity to physical tension on hair.

### What are the big 3 for thinning hair?
The three most commonly recommended treatments for pattern thinning are topical minoxidil, prescription DHT-blocking medication, and hair transplantation for candidates with stable loss and sufficient donor hair.

### How do I determine which type of hair loss I have?
A dermatologist checks the pattern of thinning, onset speed, and associated symptoms like itch or scaling, then may use trichoscopy, blood tests, or a scalp biopsy to confirm the exact type.

### Does high DHT mean high testosterone?
Not necessarily. DHT levels depend on how much testosterone converts via the 5-alpha reductase enzyme and how sensitive scalp follicles are to it, so DHT-related hair loss can occur with normal testosterone levels.

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**Source / Clinic:** Hair Center of Turkey
**Last updated:** 2026-08-26
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