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Alopecia 101

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About

 Types

Solutions

Nutriton 

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Article Sections:

1. Cap Sizes

2. Cap Design 

3. Hair Fiber Types

4. Color & style

5. Wearing a Wig

6. Care & Styling

Hair can be deeply connected to identity, self-expression, and confidence, which means experiencing hair loss can be an emotional as well as a physical change. If you're noticing thinning, shedding, bald patches, or more significant hair loss, you're far from alone.

Alopecia is the medical term for hair loss, and there are many different types and causes. Some forms are temporary, while others may be progressive or permanent. Understanding the type of hair loss you're experiencing is an important first step toward finding appropriate medical care, support, and hair solutions that help you feel like yourself.

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What Is Alopecia?

Alopecia simply means hair loss. It isn't one specific disease. Hair loss can occur for many reasons, including genetics, autoimmune conditions, hormonal changes, certain medications and medical treatments, illness, nutritional deficiencies, stress, and repeated tension on the hair.

One of the best things you can do when experiencing unexplained or significant hair loss is speak with a dermatologist or other qualified healthcare professional. Because different types of alopecia can look similar, getting the correct diagnosis matters.

Types of Alopecia 

Alopecia Areata

Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system mistakenly attacks hair follicles. The most recognizable sign is sudden hair loss that creates smooth, round or oval patches, often on the scalp. However, alopecia areata can affect hair anywhere on the body, including the eyebrows and eyelashes.

Hair may regrow on its own and later fall out again, or hair loss may become more extensive. The course of alopecia areata can be difficult to predict.

More extensive forms include:

Alopecia Totalis - complete or nearly complete loss of on the scalp and face (from the neck up). 

Alopecia Universalis - more extensive form involving loss of hair across the body.

While researchers don't fully understand what causes alopecia areata, factors, such as: genetics, stress, autoimmune disorders, and allergies, may increase the risk of developing alopecia areata.

Androgenetic Alopecia

Androgenetic alopecia, sometimes called female-pattern or male-pattern hair loss, is different from alopecia areata. This common form of hair loss is influenced by genetics and hormones, particularly sensitivity to androgens such as dihydrotestosterone (DHT).

Women may notice gradual thinning, particularly around the part or crown, while men commonly experience a receding hairline, thinning at the crown, or both.

Age, hormonal changes, health conditions, medications, nutrition, and stress can sometimes contribute to or worsen noticeable thinning, making professional evaluation especially helpful.

Chemotherapy-Induced Alopecia

Hair loss can also occur as a side effect of certain cancer treatments. Chemotherapy works by targeting rapidly dividing cancer cells. Because cells within hair follicles also divide rapidly, some chemotherapy medications can affect them, resulting in hair shedding or loss. This is known as chemotherapy-induced alopecia, and the type of shedding commonly associated with chemotherapy is called anagen effluvium.

Depending on the treatment, hair loss may affect the scalp, eyebrows, eyelashes, and body hair. For many people, chemotherapy-related hair loss is temporary and regrowth begins after treatment has ended, although the timing, texture, color, and extent of regrowth can vary.

Some patients may opt for scalp-cooling systems, also known as cold caps. This treatment helps the blood vessels constrict and slows activity within follicle cells, thus potentially reducing the amount of certain chemotherapy drugs reaching the hair follicles. This may help some people retain more of their hair during treatment.

Please Note: Discuss scalp with your oncology team to discuss benefits, limitations, and potential risks.

Traction Alopecia

Traction alopecia results from repeated pulling or tension on the hair follicles. It may be associated with hairstyles that continuously place stress on the hair, including very tight braids, ponytails, buns, extensions, or other hair additions.

Early traction alopecia may improve when the source of tension is removed. However, prolonged pulling can damage and scar hair follicles, potentially resulting in permanent hair loss.

Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia

Frontal fibrosing alopecia (FFA) is a type of scarring alopecia that most frequently affects women after menopause. One of its most noticeable signs is a gradually receding hairline along the front and sides of the scalp. Eyebrow loss can also occur, and isolated hairs may sometimes remain in front of the receding hairline.

Hair Loss Solutions: Wigs and Hair Toppers

Whether hair loss is temporary or permanent, you get to decide how you want to approach it. Hair loss doesn’t have to be a journey you take alone. There are communities on social media channels created to support those dealing with hair loss and alopecia. 

While some people may embrace their bald head, others may feel more comfortable wearing alternative hair. For those who want additional coverage, wigs and hair toppers can provide an immediate, non-medical solution while offering freedom to experiment with different lengths, colors, textures, and styles.

Wig

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A wig will cover your entire head and give you the freedom to try different styles and colors. 

Hair Topper

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A hair topper is a hairpiece that clips onto your bio hair. Depending on the hair topper's size, it can provides volume and coverage to the front, top, crown, or the whole head.

To find the best hair loss solution for you, visit our Understanding Hair Loss page. 

How Nutrition Can Help With Alopecia

Eat a Balanced Diet 

Having a balanced diet can promote healthy hair growth. Choose foods that provide sufficient protein, iron, zinc, essential fatty acids, and vitamins. Nutrient-rich foods that can be part of a balanced diet include:

Eggs

Lean meats, fish, and poultry

Legumes, lentils, and beans

Leafy greens

Sweet potatoes

Mushrooms

Nuts and seeds

Berries and citrus fruits

Avocados

Greek yogurt

Shellfish

If a nutritional deficiency is suspected, a healthcare professional can determine whether testing or supplementation is appropriate.

Can Supplements Help With Hair Loss?

You'll find countless supplements, oils, shampoos, serums, and botanical ingredients marketed for promoting healthy hair growth. While some ingredients may support scalp or hair health, it's important to distinguish between supporting healthy hair and treating the underlying cause of alopecia.

Please Note: Natural doesn't automatically mean risk-free. Essential oils and botanical ingredients can cause irritation or allergic reactions, and supplements can interact with medications. If you're experiencing significant hair loss, talk with your healthcare provider before beginning supplements or attempting to treat alopecia with botanical remedies.

Ingredients frequently found in hair and scalp products include:

Biotin: A B vitamin involved in normal metabolism and keratin production.

Niacin: Vitamin B3 contributes to normal cellular function and is found in foods, such as: meat, fish, legumes, nuts, and grains.

Zinc: An essential mineral involved in numerous biological processes Zinc deficiency can be associated with hair loss, but excessive supplementation can also cause health problems.

Peppermint oil: Found in scalp-care products for its cooling sensation, peppermint oil helps stimulate hair follicles and increases circulation to the scalp by widening blood vessels.

Tea tree oil: Known primarily for antimicrobial properties and helps improve hair strength

Hyaluronic acid: Helps attract and retain moisture and can be useful in products designed to hydrate the hair and scalp.

Pumpkin seed oil & Rosemary oil: Both types of oils help reduce hair shedding and blocks DHT.

Sunflower seed extract: Rich in zinc and vitamin E, this nutrient is often used to moisturize hair and scalp.

Tucuma fruit extract: Often used in hair products for its moisturizing and conditioning properties.

When Should You See a Doctor About Hair Loss?

Hair shedding doesn't always indicate a serious medical problem, but unexplained or rapidly progressing hair loss deserves attention.

Consider scheduling an appointment with a dermatologist or healthcare provider if you notice:

Sudden bald patches

Rapid or significant shedding

Widening part or noticeably thinning crown

Receding hairline

Loss of eyebrows or eyelashes

Scalp pain, burning, redness, scaling, or significant itching

Smooth, shiny, or scarred-looking areas of the scalp

Hair loss following a new medication or medical treatment

Hair loss that continues or becomes progressively worse

A healthcare professional can help determine the type of hair loss you're experiencing and discuss appropriate treatment options.

A healthcare professional can help determine the type of hair loss you're experiencing and discuss appropriate treatment options.

Finding Confidence and Support Through Hair Loss

Hair loss doesn’t have to define how you see yourself. Connecting with alopecia communities, professional stylists, alternative-hair specialists, dermatologists, and other healthcare professionals can provide valuable support and guidance.

Living with alopecia can also affect emotional well-being, making support and access to options especially important. At Wigs.com, we’re committed to supporting women with all types of hair loss by making wigs and hair toppers easier to shop for online. By making alternative hair more accessible, we hope to reduce stigma, normalize wearing wigs and toppers, and help you choose what feels right for you.

Need help choosing a wig or topper? Book a free virtual consultation with one of our wig experts! 

This article is intended for educational purposes and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you're experiencing unexplained hair loss or changes to your scalp, consult a qualified healthcare professional.

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