Starts by the development of small bald patches, usually round, on the scalp. The condition is considered to be of a nervous cause, and often follows a shock or worry but there is also a hereditary tendency - can run in the family.

Where the whole head of hair falls out, an extension of areata. This condition causes the most distressing outcomes of balding. All the hair follicles have entered telegen. It sometimes affects the eyelashes and eyebrows too.

The complete loss of all body hair. The causes can be both physical and/or medical in origin.

It is generally accepted that in physical causes the hair follicle mechanism is "switched off" by anti-bodies in our immune system, the system which protects us from unwelcome visitors such as bacteria, viruses and other "baddies". There is poor understanding of how we can restart or trigger the hair follicles into activity. Certain medical treatments will cause hair loss. For example, chemotherapy contains "cell toxic" elements needed to stop cancer cells from growing.

The human hair grows in cycles lasting from 2-7 years. There are 3 stages in the cycle:

1. ANAGEN
   The active growing phase. New hair in early anagen grows faster than older hairs, the average rate of growth being 125cm (1/2 inch) a month/6 inches a year. Approx. 85% of the follicles are in anagen at any one time.
2. CATAGEN
   The change into the resting phase lasts about 2-3 weeks and no new cells are produced in the follicle. About 1% of scalp follicles are in catagen.
3. TELEGEN
   The resting phase of the follicle which lasts 3-4 months. About of 13% of scalp hair is in this stage.

Any time from 1-4 months after the birth some women may experience hair loss. There are two stages of alopecia areata - small round bald patches which can appear anywhere; and diffuse - where up to 50% of the hair is ejected form the scalp leaving the whole head looking thin and wispy.

Both conditions are caused by the change in hormones readjusting to pre-natal levels and recovery is usually from 3-12 months for a full head of hair.

These are the same condition. There is a shedding of hair of up to 60%, usually caused by the hair mechanism being "switched off" causing hair to fall out at the same time instead of at the end of the normal life span. This condition and its trigger are poorly understood, however it can follow distress and may not appear for up to six months after the event. Recovery is vague.

New research has confirmed that MPB is genetic and not hormonal in principal. Those with this inherited condition are affected to different degrees. The enzyme 5 ALFA-REDUCTASE speeds up the activity of the hormone TESTOSTERONE turning it into DEHYDROTESTOSTERONE - 8 times more active. Because of this activity there is an over-stimulation of cell reproduction causing the hair to grow faster but with a substantially reduced lifespan. Why this condition mostly affects the top of the male head is poorly understood.

Unlike men, women do not lose the hair on top of their heads. It does however thin to a degree that is noticeable, and on some ladies very noticeable. The hormone changes do come into play at the onset of menopause when the levels of testosterone rises against the levels of the femal hormone oestrogen.

This is the term applied to permanent hair loss which follows the destruction of the hair follicles. The cause may be medical or mechanical in origin. DOCTOR WILL ADVISE AS TO THE BEST COURSE OF ACTION.

A condition which occurs when someone pulls out their own hair, creating bald patches. This condition is on the increase and is a sign of stress and in some cases dislike of one's self. Most sufferers are embarrassed to seek help. The use of a wig or hairpiece can be used to aid the recovery of hair, in conjunction with help and counselling.