Pattern baldness:
Male pattern baldness and female pattern baldness are fundamentally the same with certain distinct elements that set them apart. Male pattern baldness begins with a receding hairline above the forehead or a thinning crown. This recession continues and leaves a ring-shaped pattern of hair at the sides and back of the head. Female pattern baldness is not as defined as men's baldness and is the overall thinning of hair all over the head. This process can begin to occur as early as at the age of thirty, but will most likely not be very noticeable for another ten years. Menopause can also trigger female pattern baldness and so can puberty.

Alopecia Areata is an autoimmune disorder which causes hair to fall out in random patches around the scalp. Cells in the immune system attack the hair follicles and inhibit them from producing hair. Sometimes this occurs very unexpectedly and can cause a burning or tingling sensation. In serious cases the entire body may experience hair loss, including eyebrows and facial hair. Only about 20% of Alopecia Areata circumstances can be attributed to heredity factor in contrast to Androgenic Alopecia's very high genetic link.

Most of the time the body naturally repairs the problem and the hair grows back and Alopecia Areata is usually temporary. Though it may have been only for a short time, the recuperating individual should be closely monitored having likely experienced extreme lows and depression throughout the ordeal. Around 90% of sufferers experience it in episodes and luckily, this disease leaves no trace such as scars.

Two other relatively common conditions are advanced forms of Alopecia Areata. These are Alopecia Totalis and Alopecia Universalis. Alopecia Totalis is complete baldness on the head and Alopecia Universalis is complete hair loss of the entire body.

Other hair loss conditions:

Other hair loss can be attributed to Traction Alopecia is the result of stress put on the hair shaft by the prolonged use of hair additions such as weaves and extensions. If applied too tightly the physical tension can be too much and cause potentially permanent hair loss. This also applies for certain hairstyles, such as ponytails or cornrows. A similar stress is applied on the scalp when these fashionable, but heavy techniques are worn for too long.

Telogen Effiuvium is brought on when hair follicles are damaged and enter a resting stage. This is a temporary condition, most common with females, which can be overcome and result in the regeneration of hair. Triggers include stress, thyroid complications, medication, menopause, pregnancy or other possibilities associated with hormonal changes.

Anagen Effluvium most commonly occurs due to chemotherapy drug treatments and certain other medications. Chemotherapy drugs poison not only cancer cells, but also the cells responsible for hair and nail growth. This destroys follicles and inhibits hair shafts from forming, therefore causing shedding throughout treatment. This condition is temporary; the hair usually grows back when the treatment reaches an end.