Aside from Female Pattern hair loss, women can also suffer with diffuse or thinner hair for other reasons.

Telogen Effluvium is a reflective type of hair loss. There are two varieties – Acute and Chronic. These would include physical health issues, iron deficiencies, thyroid imbalances, anxiety, depression etc. Any of these symptoms can cause an increased rate of hair fall over the whole scalp and subsequently lead to thinning of the hair.

It is therefore extremely important to seek help from a registered trichologist to receive a thorough consultation, and professionally established diagnosis. If necessary, therapy can then begin.

This condition features as oval or round bald patches on the scalp. There may be one or more patches. A patch can get bigger and encroach on another patch, creating an even larger area of hair loss. There are usually three stages to this complaint.

A patch first appears partially or completely bald, slightly pale skinned and smooth with a soft, pliable feel to it.

The second stage is for the weakened follicles within a patch to produce a short, stubbly “sick” hair that does not usually grow to more than ½ cm in length. It is a weak and badly formed hair being thin at the root and thicker at the tip. These hairs are known as “exclamation mark” hairs. These hairs are a sign that the condition is still active.

In the third stage, these exclamation hairs will fall out and normal regrowth should begin to take place. New hair can either grow back with colour, or begin white before resuming with colour or begin white and stay white (quite rare).

Some people may only suffer for a few months from start to end, but others can be more unfortunate and have problems for a year or more.

Essentially, this is an autoimmune disorder with enzymatical changes taking place mainly due to the causative factors. This causes the body’s defence mechanism to attack the hair. The onset of Alopecia Areata can occur within days of the health being affected in some form or another.

This complaint does occur for the same reasons. Large bald patches can form on the scalp, continually joining eachother until total scalp baldness takes place. It is quite common to also suffer loss of eyebrows, eyelashes and facial hair. Basically, total loss of hair above the neck.

Cicatricial Alopecia has been more recently found to be caused by a progressive inflammatory process which can lead to the destruction or demise of the hair follicle.

There are different types of Cicatricial Alopecia. The most common types we tend to diagnose and treat are Lichen Planopilaris, Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia, Central Centrifugal Cicatricial Alopecia and Folliculitis Decalvins.

The reason as to why the initial chronic inflammation arises in the first instance, is still unknown. Cicatricial conditions, once begun, can slowly progress for years, and will lead to permanent baldness in the affected areas. Our aim in treating these chronic complaints is to slow down, minimise and contain further hair loss.

This is caused by continual pulling or stress on the hair. Certain hairstyles including hair extensions, ponytails, plaits, tightly wound rollers, over-vigorous brushing or combing etc, over a period of time, can continually pull hair out. As hair is continuously pulled out of the same follicles, they go into a degenerative state and, eventually, give up hair production. This will cause areas to look thinner.

This is a form of tractional alopecia. It represents itself as a patchy, balding area caused by an irresistible desire to pull, pluck, tug or twist ones own hair out. This condition is described as an impulse-control disorder.

Older hairs are easily pulled but newer hairs tend to break near the scalp when tugged so the patches are never usually completely bald.

Although the area can become quite sore and sensitive, this may not deter the person as they can often begin to enjoy the painful sensation.

Treatment does help to regrow hairs from follicles that are still alive, but degenerative scarring will take place if the person persists for long periods. If the patient understands this, they will often stop the habit. Although more unusual, eyebrows, eyelashes and some pubic regions can also be affected.

If you feel you may be suffering with any of the above complaints and wish to find out more about how The Spencer Clinic can help you, simply call us today on 020 7584 4255 or get a Free Online Diagnosis.