Types of Hair Loss: How to Tell the Difference

Hair loss is far more common than most people realize. The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) estimates it affects about 80 million Americans. But not all hair loss is the same. So, is your type of hair loss permanent, or will it grow back?

By the end of this article, you’ll understand the most common types of hair loss, how to recognize each one by its pattern and triggers, and what your options may be. However, it's important to keep in mind that a licensed healthcare provider should ultimately be consulted for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan.

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What Is Hair Loss, and Why Does It Happen?

The average individual sheds about 50-100 hairs every day as part of the normal hair cycle. This cycle includes three main phases:

1. The anagen phase is when hair actively grows and may last for years.
2. The catagen phase is a transitional phase in which growth stops, and the follicle begins to shrink or regress. 
3. The telogen phase is where the hair rests before shedding to make room for a new strand.

Hair loss often becomes a concern when shedding outpaces regrowth, or when follicles become damaged or miniaturized (producing progressively finer, weaker hairs). Different types of hair loss interrupt this cycle in different ways, which is why they behave and respond to treatment so differently. For a closer look at the biology, check out our hair loss myths explainer.

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The Most Common Types of Hair Loss

While there are many possible reasons for hair loss, most cases fall into one of a handful of categories, including:

• Androgenetic alopecia (hereditary pattern hair loss)
• Telogen effluvium (temporary, trigger-related shedding)
• Alopecia areata (autoimmune patchy hair loss)
• Traction alopecia (tension-induced hair loss from tight styling)
• Scarring (cicatricial) alopecia (inflammation that permanently damages follicles)

Some of these are far more common than others. Some are also reversible, but others may be permanent. Below, we take a closer look at each one.

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Androgenetic Alopecia (Pattern Hair Loss)

Androgenetic alopecia is the most common type of hair loss, affecting both men and women.

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What It Looks Like

In men, it typically shows up as a receding hairline and thinning at the crown, which may progress over time toward a “horseshoe” pattern around the sides and back. Clinicians often describe this progression using the Norwood Scale, a visual reference that maps the typical stages of male pattern hair loss.

In women, the pattern usually involves diffuse thinning along the part line, a widening part, and an overall loss of volume, often without a receding hairline. The Ludwig Scale is the equivalent reference used to describe female pattern thinning. However, unlike men, women rarely experience complete baldness from androgenetic alopecia.

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What Causes It

This type is driven by a genetic sensitivity to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a hormone derived from testosterone. Individuals who are sensitive to DHT may gradually see their hair follicles miniaturize, producing thinner, shorter hairs with each cycle. Eventually, the follicle may stop producing visible hair altogether.

Both men and women can be affected. And it may begin surprisingly early, sometimes in your late teens or early 20s. A family history of hair loss on either side may also increase your likelihood of experiencing it.

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Is It Reversible?

Androgenetic alopecia is not fully reversible. But its progression may often be slowed, and some regrowth may be possible, especially if treatment is started early. 

FDA-approved and clinically studied options do exist, such as Minoxidil and Finasteride. A licensed provider can help determine what may be appropriate based on your pattern and health history.

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Treatment Options to Discuss With a Provider

For androgenic alopecia, oral Minoxidil is an option for both men and women, while oral Finasteride may be appropriate for some men. GHK-Cu Foam and Custom Hair Growth Kits may also be considered by your provider, depending on their clinical assessment and your individual needs. 

Eden’s online intake process allows you to describe your pattern of hair loss. From there, Eden connects you with a licensed healthcare provider who performs an assessment and, if appropriate, may discuss treatment options and prescribe medication. 

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Telogen Effluvium (Stress- and Trigger-Related Shedding)

Telogen effluvium is one of the most misunderstood types of hair loss, largely because it often appears weeks or even months after the event that triggered it.

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What It Looks Like

Telogen effluvium shows up as diffuse shedding across the entire scalp. You might notice handfuls of hair in the shower, on your pillow, or in your brush. The hairline usually remains intact, which is one of the clearest features distinguishing it from androgenetic alopecia. 

While it may feel alarming, telogen effluvium rarely leads to complete baldness.

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What Causes It

This type of hair loss happens when a physical or emotional stressor pushes a large number of follicles into the resting (telogen) phase at once. In turn, this prompts a wave of shedding about two to three months later. Common hair loss causes in this category include:

• Significant physical stress (surgery, illness, high fever, childbirth)
• Emotional stress
• Rapid weight loss or crash dieting
• Nutritional deficiencies (such as iron, ferritin, zinc, or vitamin D)
• Thyroid dysfunction
• Certain medications

Postpartum hair loss is also a type of telogen effluvium caused by changing hormones. It affects up to 50% of women, typically beginning two to four months after delivery.

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Is It Reversible?

In most cases, yes. Telogen effluvium is usually temporary and tends to resolve on its own once the underlying trigger has been addressed. Regrowth often begins within three to six months. 

With that said, chronic telogen effluvium (lasting longer than six months) may occur, which may require a provider’s evaluation to identify an underlying cause. If your shedding is severe or prolonged, consulting a licensed provider is recommended.

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What May Help

The most important approach is addressing the underlying trigger. If a nutritional gap is involved, support for iron, vitamin D, and adequate protein may be relevant. In fact, your provider may want to evaluate bloodwork to address any potential deficiencies. Eden can connect you with a licensed healthcare provider who can evaluate whether what you’re experiencing is consistent with telogen effluvium or something else. 

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Alopecia Areata (Autoimmune Hair Loss)

While less common than other types of hair loss, alopecia areata is actually an autoimmune condition. It’s also frequently searched since its presentation may be alarming.

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What It Looks Like

It often presents as smooth, round, or oval patches of hair loss on the scalp, beard, eyebrows, or other areas. These patches may appear suddenly and may expand, merge, or multiply. 

In more severe and less common cases, it may progress to alopecia totalis (complete scalp hair loss) or alopecia universalis (loss of body hair). Within the patches, the scalp skin typically looks normal with no scarring or scaling.

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What Causes It

Alopecia areata is an autoimmune condition, which means the immune system mistakenly attacks the hair follicles. It isn’t caused by stress alone, though stress may act as a trigger for some individuals. 

It may also affect people of any age, including children, and there appears to be a genetic component; having a relative with alopecia areata or another autoimmune condition may increase your risk.

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Is It Reversible?

Alopecia areata is unpredictable. Hair may regrow spontaneously in some individuals. But others may experience recurring episodes. 

Yet, regrowth is possible because the follicle itself usually isn’t permanently destroyed. However, outcomes vary from person to person. Ultimately, this is a condition that should be evaluated and managed by a licensed provider or dermatologist.

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Traction Alopecia (Tension-Induced Hair Loss)

Traction alopecia is one of the more overlooked types of hair loss, and it’s very closely tied to everyday styling habits.

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What It Looks Like

Traction alopecia tends to appear along the hairline, temples, and edges, which are the areas that undergo the most strain from tight styles. Early signs may include small bumps or folliculitis along the hairline, itching, and redness. 

Over time, the hairline may recede, and hair in the affected areas may become thinner and shorter. It’s particularly common among people who frequently wear tight braids, weaves, extensions, high ponytails, or buns.

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What Causes It

Traction alopecia results from repeated, prolonged tension pulling on the follicles, which damages them over time. Unlike androgenetic alopecia, this type isn’t driven by genetics or hormones. In fact, this is why it may be preventable and may be reversible (when identified early). 

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Is It Reversible?

In its early stages, traction alopecia is reversible, as long as the source of tension is removed promptly. But if a follicle has been under strain for an extended period, scarring may set in, and the hair loss in these areas may become permanent. 

This makes early recognition important. And consulting a provider sooner rather than later gives you the best chance of recovery.

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What May Help

The primary step is reducing or eliminating tight hairstyles. In early-stage cases, topical options such as GHK-Cu Foam may support scalp health. However, a provider-guided assessment can help determine whether any treatment is appropriate for you.

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Scarring Alopecia (Cicatricial Alopecia)

Scarring alopecia refers to a group of less common but serious conditions in which inflammation destroys hair follicles and replaces them with scar tissue, causing permanent hair loss. 

Types of scarring alopecia include lichen planopilaris, frontal fibrosing alopecia, and central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia (CCCA). CCCA disproportionately affects Black women and is associated with certain hairstyling practices, making it distinct from traction alopecia.

Symptoms may include scalp tenderness, burning, itching, or redness around the follicles. However, this condition requires prompt evaluation by a dermatologist; early treatment may slow or halt progression, but follicles already lost can’t be restored. 

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How to Tell the Difference: A Quick Comparison

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Self-identification is a helpful starting point, but it has its limits. A licensed provider can evaluate your hair loss patterns, scalp health, and medical history to provide an accurate diagnosis.

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When Should You Seek Professional Guidance?

Consider connecting with a licensed healthcare provider if you notice any of the following:

• Shedding that has lasted more than three months without an obvious trigger
• Patchy or asymmetric hair loss
• Scalp symptoms such as burning, itching, tenderness, or visible scaling
• Hair loss alongside other symptoms (fatigue, weight changes, or changes in your skin or nails) that may point to a systemic cause
• Rapid or sudden hair loss
• Hair loss that began before age 25

Early evaluation may help identify the underlying cause sooner, particularly for androgenetic alopecia and traction alopecia. In these cases, acting early may provide more treatment options and may help preserve existing hair. Eden’s online intake process allows you to describe your hair loss pattern and connect with a licensed provider, without needing an in-person appointment.

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Hair Loss Treatment Options: What a Provider May Recommend

Depending on your type of hair loss, your provider may discuss:

• Topical and oral Minoxidil: This option is FDA-approved for androgenetic alopecia in both men and women, and available in oral form through Eden. It may work by prolonging the anagen (growth) phase and supporting follicle size.
• Oral Finasteride (for men): Finasteride may reduce DHT production and is FDA-approved for male pattern hair loss. It requires a provider’s prescription and isn’t appropriate for women of childbearing age.
• GHK-Cu (copper peptide) treatments: GHK-Cu is a peptide that may support scalp health, follicle health, and hair density. It’s available as GHK-Cu Foam through Eden for both men and women.
• Custom Hair Growth Kits: Eden’s Hair Growth Kits may include provider-selected treatment options based on an individual’s hair-loss pattern and clinical assessment through an intake process that maps the affected areas. 

The option that’s best for you depends on the type and severity of hair loss, as well as your individual health profile, which is exactly why provider guidance is essential before starting any prescription regimen.