Alopecia vs Balding vs Male Pattern Baldness: What’s Causing Hair Loss?

What is the Difference Between Alopecia vs Balding? 

Many people wonder what's the difference between alopecia vs balding. Alopecia is a broad term referring to any type of hair loss, typically caused by autoimmune conditions, stress, or genetics while balding, specifically male or female pattern hair loss or female pattern baldness (androgenetic alopecia), refers to gradual, genetic hair loss that follows a specific pattern, typically seen with age. 

Let's jump into the research and examine the differences and attempt to understand the nuances between these different kinds of hair loss, then discuss the ideal treatments for each condition.

Causes: The Key Differences Between Alopecia and Balding

Understanding the root causes of alopecia and male pattern baldness is crucial to addressing the conditions effectively.

Alopecia:

The partial or complete loss of hair is called alopecia. 

• Immune System Misfire: Alopecia areata occurs when the immune system mistakenly targets hair follicles, leading to patchy hair loss. The severity can vary, with some experiencing complete scalp hair loss (alopecia totalis) or even total body hair loss (alopecia universalis).
• External Triggers: While genetics play a role, alopecia can also be triggered by environmental factors such as stress, trauma, or illness. Identifying and managing these triggers can sometimes mitigate flare-ups.
• Unpredictable Nature: Hair may regrow in one area only to fall out in another, making it a particularly frustrating condition to manage.

Male Pattern Baldness (MPB):

• Hormonal Influence: MPB is driven primarily by dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a byproduct of testosterone that causes hair follicles to shrink over time. This leads to shorter, finer hairs until the follicles eventually stop producing hair altogether.
• Genetics: If you have a family history of balding, chances are higher that you’ll experience it too. This hereditary aspect makes MPB more predictable than alopecia.
• Gradual Loss: Unlike alopecia, MPB follows a well-documented pattern, beginning with a receding hairline or thinning crown and progressing over time.

Conditions Affecting Alopecia

Alopecia can be affected by several conditions, including:

1. Autoimmune Disorders: Conditions like alopecia areata occur when the immune system attacks hair follicles, leading to patchy hair loss on the scalp and other parts of the body. Hair loss from alopecia areata is usually temporary. 
2. Hormonal Imbalances: Androgenetic alopecia (male or female pattern baldness) is influenced by hormones like dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and genetic predisposition. Androgenetic alopecia is a common form of hair loss in both men and women. 
3. Thyroid Disorders: Both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism can cause hair thinning or loss. These health conditions should be discussed with your medical provider if you are considering a hair loss solution. 
4. Nutritional Deficiencies: Lack of essential nutrients like iron, zinc, biotin, or vitamin D can contribute to hair loss. You can have your vitamin levels checked with your doctor to optimize your health and your skin. 
5. Chronic Stress: Telogen effluvium, a condition where stress pushes hair into a resting phase, can cause widespread thinning.
6. Skin Infections and Scalp Conditions: Fungal infections like tinea capitis or scalp conditions like seborrheic dermatitis can lead to hair loss and negatively affect your health. 
7. Medications: Certain medications, including those for chemotherapy, blood pressure, and antidepressants, can cause hair loss as a side effect. It's important to understand how your overall health impacts your hair loss.

We hope this information helps you better understand how aach of these conditions can trigger or exacerbate various types of alopecia.

Balding or Male Pattern Baldness (MPB)

Male pattern baldness, also known as androgenetic alopecia is very common. This type of balding is caused by a combination of genetics and hormones. It usually starts with a receding hairline on the scalp and then proceeds to thinning on the crown or top of the head.

Male pattern baldness has a rhythm to it.  First the hairline recedes, then hair at the crown of the scalp falls out and finally a horseshoe pattern of hair forms around the head. It is much more common than alopecia. The hair loss also does not come and go in stages like alopecia does.

Male pattern baldness can’t really be cured (yet) since it is a genetic issue, but there are a variety of different treatments that can help – including several hair-replacement procedures, like follicular unit extraction (F.U.E.) RESTORE’s state-of-the-art F.U.E. technology uses highly specialized equipment to safely and comfortably remove hair follicles, one at a time, from the back of the head.

Then, each hair follicle is implanted into your balding areas. Thanks to our expert artistry and focus on patient care, the result is soft, natural and undetectable. After all, it’s your own hair, just transplanted from one spot to another.

Knowing the actual cause of your baldness can help you address it in an effective way so you don’t allow it to adversely impact your life. Alopecia and male-pattern baldness come from different places and they do not have to end with the same result.

Any baldness you see should be checked by a medical professional first, and then you can consider your options and get a professional opinion about all of the options available so you can make an informed choice about the best way to attack your baldness.

Affect of Balding

It goes without saying that most of us don’t like to lose our hair, no matter how it happens – whether it's due to alopecia or male pattern baldness. However, we typically accept that having a few hairs fall out each day as part of the normal cycle of a hair follicle, and this is just a part of life in this human experience.

When the hair loss becomes more aggressive, and baldness begins to appear, that is when people generally start to feel a little different about themselves – typically in a negative way. We all understand that hair loss is a normal part of life, but when it happens to you personally, and you start to see bald patches appearing on your own head rather than somebody else's, your sentiment regarding the normalcy of hair loss often changes.

Frankly, losing your hair is a highly traumatic experience for many, despite how common it is. For men, baldness is often associated with age and masculinity. Losing your hair can make you feel older and less attractive. For women, hair loss is often seen as a symbol of reduced femininity. Losing your hair can make you feel like you’ve lost some beauty. 

When you start to lose your hair, it can be difficult to come to terms with it. You may feel like you are losing your youth or your sex appeal. But don’t worry – there have been countless scientific advancements in the past 30 years and there are now many well-vetted scientific treatments available to assist with alopecia or male pattern baldness.

Treatment for Alopecia and Male Pattern Baldness

Deciding on the best course of action and treatment depends on an accurate diagnosis. Hair loss may be a symptom of an underlying medical issue or simply a natural progression of aging. Visiting a dermatologist or hair restoration specialist is the first step.

A hair loss doctor might start by recommending hair loss medicine like Finasteride or Propecia. Another approach could include topical solutions like Minoxidil. Your doctor will discuss the risks with you. 

At RESTORE Hair, we specialize in advanced hair restoration or hair replacement techniques like FUE, as well as non-surgical services. This minimally invasive procedure (no need for a hospital stay) allows us to transplant hair follicles from the back of your head to balding areas, creating natural and permanent results. With our patient-focused approach, extreme care and dedication to research, we aim to not just restore your hair but also your confidence.

If you’re experiencing hair loss, whether from alopecia or male pattern baldness, don’t wait. Take control of your hair journey and contact RESTORE Hair today for a free consultation and more information today.