14 Different Types of Alopecia: A Comprehensive Guide
Maybe you’re at the very beginning of your experience with alopecia and still feel the overwhelm of what your future could look like.
Maybe you’re a seasoned alopecia veteran who has walked every day with beautiful bravery – the kind that has earned you confidence and calm in the midst of hair loss.
Wherever you are on your journey, we want to walk alongside you with gentleness, respect, and empathy. Every woman’s story is unique, but we know from our own hair loss experiences how encouraging it can be to connect with others who understand what you're going through.
Our last blog post listed some of the causes of alopecia. Another way we want to walk with you is to help you become more informed about the different types of alopecia that impact women around the world.
It’s time to feel less alone.
It’s time to feel empowered to understand the different forms of alopecia together.
1. Alopecia Areata
The first of the types of alopecia is alopecia areata. Alopecia areata is an autoimmune condition in which your immune system mistakenly attacks hair follicles.
This means that sudden, round patches of hair loss on your scalp or face can show up. While your hair can spontaneously regrow, the unpredictability of this condition can be very discouraging.
A well-known heroine of alopecia areata is Jasmine Mitchell, who was also the champion of The Great British Bake Off in 2025! We think her vibrant, radiant joy throughout her time on the show is truly inspirational, especially for any woman on a journey with alopecia. Here’s a short interview of Jasmine talking about having alopecia areata.
2. Alopecia Totalis
Alopecia totalis is a more advanced form of alopecia areata that results in complete hair loss on your scalp. That means, for this type of alopecia, it is no longer confined to specific areas, but it has moved on to impact your entire head. Think of it this way: alopecia areata impacts only areas of the scalp, whereas alopecia totalis impacts the totality of your scalp.
3. Alopecia Universalis
Taking the last two types of alopecia a step further, alopecia universalis is the most extensive form of autoimmune alopecia. It causes complete hair loss across both your scalp and body – including your eyebrows and eyelashes.
4. Alopecia Barbae
Alopecia barbae is a form of alopecia areata that impacts facial hair specifically. Obviously, this doesn’t typically impact women, but you might experience similar autoimmune hair loss in areas such as your eyebrows or facial hair regions following hormonal or immune changes.
Keep reading to find out more on types of alopecia caused by hormones further down this guide!
5. Androgenetic Alopecia
Differentiated from the last four types of alopecia is androgenetic alopecia, which is often referred to as female pattern hair loss. Androgenetic alopecia, as you can guess, is typically genetic and hormonally-influenced. Usually, it presents as gradual thinning along your part line or crown.
Even if you’re just beginning to notice this type of hair loss, we know it can be difficult and frustrating.
However, this is actually the most common of the types of alopecia that women experience. So if androgenetic alopecia is part of your journey, know that you are definitely not alone!
6. Androgenic Alopecia
While often used interchangeably with androgenetic alopecia, androgenic alopecia focuses on hair loss specifically influenced by androgens (male-pattern hormones). So, women who experience androgenic alopecia typically also experience hormonal imbalances as the root cause of their hair loss.
7. Traction Alopecia
Traction alopecia is caused by repeated tension on your hair follicles, commonly from tight hairstyles such as braids, ponytails, extensions, or consistent pulling. It most commonly impacts the area around your hairline and temples. Thankfully, if traction alopecia is caught early enough, it is usually reversible!
If you are concerned that you are experiencing traction alopecia from your hairstyle, contact your local hair salon ASAP. Your stylist can help you find your dream hairstyle without experiencing any more hair loss.
Or, if your traction alopecia is at a more advanced stage, you might even want to contact us directly. At Hair Enhancements of Pittsburgh, we are experienced alopecia hair stylists who have helped guide women experiencing all kinds of medical, genetic and environmental hair loss to their perfect fit.
8. Tension Alopecia
Similar to traction alopecia, tension alopecia develops from external habits that impact your scalp and hair follicle health. The difference with tension alopecia is that it can also result from chronic stress on your scalp due to styling habits, headwear, or repeated friction. Hair thinning from tension alopecia tends to develop gradually over time.
9. Chemotherapy-Induced Alopecia (CIA)
Chemotherapy-Induced Alopecia is one of the most commonly experienced types of alopecia. As your body experiences the intensity of fighting off cancer through chemotherapy medication, it is so important that you feel supported. Here’s an interview with one of our clients, the lovely Jennifer, bringing us into her journey with CIA.
10. Scarring Alopecia (Cicatricial Alopecia)
Scarring alopecia refers to a group of inflammatory conditions that permanently destroy your hair follicles and replace them with scar tissue. If you think you might be going through this type of alopecia, you should seek prompt medical diagnosis to stop progression.
11. Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia (FFA)
Frontal fibrosing alopecia is a type of scarring alopecia that primarily affects women, often after menopause. It causes a slow recession of your frontal hairline, as well as eyebrow thinning. Frontal fibrosing alopecia causes permanent hair loss, so it is very important to reach out as soon as possible to a medical professional to tackle this form of alopecia.
12. Central Centrifugal Cicatricial Alopecia (CCCA)
Central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia is a specific form of scarring alopecia that is unique because it begins at your crown and spreads outward. CCCA can be caused by a combination of genetic, inflammatory, and styling-related factors. As with other forms of scarring alopecia, seeking medical attention is crucial in preventing its rapid progression.
13. Retrograde Alopecia
While less common, retrograde alopecia involves thinning or hair loss at the nape of your neck or lower scalp. Retrograde alopecia often works in tandem with other forms of alopecia – particularly androgenetic or autoimmune types.
14. Postpartum Alopecia
Bringing a baby into the world is incredibly hard work. One way it can be hard on your body is through the intensity of hormonal shifts postpartum. Postpartum alopecia is (usually) a temporary and common form of hair shedding that occurs after childbirth as a result of these hormonal changes.
Regrowth is normal for most women, but it’s still important to feel supported… after all, you’re still learning how to love your new, precious little one and recovering from your birth experience! Check out our recent blog post on this topic for a more in-depth exploration.
So you know the different types of alopecia. Now what?
No matter the type of alopecia you are walking through, never forget that hair loss does not define your beauty, femininity, or strength.
We know that alopecia can feel so overwhelming and lonely, but it doesn’t have to anymore. If you book a consultation with us, you will experience confidential and discreet care paired with personalized advice and products tailored to your exact journey with alopecia. We even offer virtual consultations for out-of-state clients, or women whose schedules clash with our opening times.
Book your confidential consultation here.
We also offer a beautiful selection of wigs and products to help you to get and maintain your dream hair.
Shop the full collection here.
You are beautiful. You don’t need to feel alone anymore. As alopecia hair stylists in Pittsburgh with decades of experience, we’re here for you, every step of the way.