Alopecia is the medical description of the loss of hair from the head or body, sometimes to the extent of baldness.
Unlike the common aesthetic depilation of body hair, alopecia tends to be involuntary and unwelcome, e.g., androgenic alopecia.
However, it may also be caused by a psychological compulsion to pull out one's own hair (trichotillomania) or the unforeseen consequences of voluntary hairstyling routines (mechanical "traction alopecia" from excessively tight ponytails or braids, or burns to the scalp from caustic hair relaxer solutions or hot hair irons).
In some cases, alopecia is an indication of an underlying medical concern, such as iron deficiency.
When hair loss occurs in only one section, it is known as alopecia areata. This is the most common form of the disease and is consistent with a sudden loss of hair, causing patches to appear on either the scalp or other bodily areas.
If left untreated, or if the disease does not respond to treatment, complete baldness can result in the affected area, known as alopecia totalis.
Alopecia universalis is when the entire body suffers from complete hair loss, and is similar to the affects associated with chemotherapy.
In May 2009, researchers in Japan identified a gene, SOX21,
that appears to be responsible for hair loss in humans and a researcher
in India found the missing link between androgenic hormone and hair
loss. Androgenic alopecia is said to be a counterproductive outcome of
the anabolic effect of androgens.
Treatment options can be medical and by alternate approaches.
Further Reading
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