Your hair is the gem with which you express yourself, and you take great delight in having healthy and beautiful strands. But when you notice hair loss or thinning, it can affect your confidence and body image and cause anxiety.

The biggest cause of hair loss among women is alopecia. Although it can occur anywhere, it's extremely distressing when it affects your scalp. The severe dermatological condition causes total or partial hair loss and affects your eyebrows and lashes.

Although it's not painful or life-threatening, the chronic inflammatory condition attacks the hair follicles and severely impacts your mental and emotional state.

Since there are many types of alopecia, we will discuss the exact meaning, the different types, treatments, care, and quick solutions that will help you regain your confidence!

What Is Alopecia?

Alopecia is a term used to describe severe hair loss, of which there are numerous forms. Hair thinning or loss suggests a problem in your body, which could be hormonal, age-related, inherited, or medical. When it comes to genetics and medical abnormalities, it could be as simple as inheriting genes that incline you to hair loss or as complex as a slew of illnesses. 

Alopecia can also be a symptom of short-term stress or pregnancy. In these situations, hair will grow back after the cause of hair loss is addressed.

Different Types Of Alopecia

The most common types of alopecia

Alopecia can occur when anything affects the normal, healthy hair growth cycle. Some varieties of alopecia are preventive, while others can appear at any age. It's difficult to be precise because alopecia refers to several distinct forms of hair loss. So let's look at the most prevalent types of alopecia, short- and long-term treatment options, and how to care for your hair and scalp.

#1 Androgenetic Alopecia

Androgenetic alopecia in women

Androgenetic alopecia is a kind of hair loss that affects men and women alike. In men, this disorder is known as male-pattern baldness. The hair loss pattern differs in women. The hair thins out, yet the hairline does not recede. In women, androgenetic alopecia hardly ever results in complete baldness.

Women's hair loss can appear for various reasons. Shifts in your hormone balance and genetic susceptibility to specific hormones can sometimes cause androgenetic alopecia. Other factors like stress, autoimmune diseases, environmental factors, and weight loss also affect hair loss.

Treatments For Androgenetic Alopecia

• Spironolactone: Spironolactone is an antiandrogen that is commonly used to treat acne. It minimizes dihydrotestosterone (DHT) levels in the scalp by lowering testosterone levels in the body. Since the prescription medication is not suitable for everyone, your dermatologist must diagnose your hair loss.
  
  
• Minoxidil: You can apply it to the hair loss area to promote hair regrowth. The liquid solution works in three ways– It increases the time follicles spend in the anagen (the growing phase of follicles), wakes up hair follicles in the catagen phase, and enlarges the follicles.
  
  
• Saw Palmetto: It is a topical over-the-counter ingredient that stops the conversion of testosterone to DHT. The treatment reduces the amount of DHT that reaches your hair follicles and reduces thinning. The ingredient is also present in shampoos that prevent hair loss.

Short-term solutions for women include wearing human hair toppers to conceal the area (crown in the initial stages). For advanced cases, we recommend using lace frontal human hair wigs to conceal the hair loss towards the front. Toppers and wigs are great solutions for androgenetic alopecia because you can still undergo treatment with them.

The Invisible Parting Topper 2.5x5 is a good choice if you have just started experiencing hair loss and thinning. The Invisible Topper costs between IRS 7900 to 9900. You can even get the topper customized to your preference; just contact Diva Divine service center.

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#2  Alopecia Areata

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Alopecia areata is an autoimmune illness that leads to unexplained partial or acute hair loss. In India, around 6 million women are affected by the illness. It's a condition where your immune system wrongly destroys the healthy hair follicles. Your hair might come back without therapy if you have alopecia areata, but it could fall out again.

 Alopecia areata is indicated by hair loss in patches, primarily on the scalp. But it can also affect your eyebrows, lashes, and other body parts. Alopecia areata, unlike androgenic alopecia, does not exhibit a regular pattern. It often appears round or in an oval shape, which is why it's often referred to as patchy baldness.

Often women with alopecia areata typically also have other underlying autoimmune diseases. But if you are diagnosed with alopecia areata doesn't mean you will simultaneously develop another autoimmune disease. A noticeable symptom of this type of alopecia is the change in their nails. If you notice stippling on your fingernails or toenails, you should consult a dermatologist ASAP.  

Treatments For Alopecia Areata

There is currently no antidote for alopecia areata. However, some treatments can help manage the condition and aid hair growth. Treatments include medications, steroid shots, and topical immunotherapy on the dermatologist's recommendation.

• Corticosteroids: They are strong anti-inflammatory drugs used to suppress the immune system. Corticosteroids can be injected, taken orally, or used in the form of ointment.
  
  
• Topical Minoxidil: A 5% topical minoxidil serum is applied directly to the bald spots twice a day to stimulate hair growth. You can use it on your scalp and eyebrows (depending on the dermatologist's direction).
  
  
• Anthralin Cream: The tar-like cream or ointment, commonly used for psoriasis, treats alopecia areata. The cream is applied to the bald spots daily and washed after 30 minutes or an hour. The results are visible within 8 weeks.
  
  
• Topical immunotherapy: topical immunotherapy is used for excessive hair loss. Chemicals like diphencyprone (DPCP), dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB), or squaric acid dibutyl ester (SADBE) are administered to the scalp to modify the immune response.

Since alopecia areata doesn't follow a premeditated pattern, lace front wigs are one of the best options to conceal bald spots completely. If you are in the initial stages, choose the 6-Clip Hair Extension from Diva Divine. The single unit extension's honeycomb pattern covers a wide area and offers a natural look.

If you desire full coverage, a Lace Front Wig made with 100% human hair and freestyle parting options is best. The wig provides the most natural look, and you don't need to blend it with your hair. Lace front wigs cost IRS 25,500 and boost your confidence, improve your body image and make you feel like yourself! Shop from Diva Divine, enjoy a long-lasting lace front wig made with 100% human hair, and experiment with numerous styles!

#3  Alopecia Totalis

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Alopecia Totalis (AT) is a rare condition where you lose all of your hair. Symptoms can include itching, soreness, or tingling sensation, similar to the ones you get from tight ponytails. The condition occurs primarily in teenagers and women in their 20s and is also common among those with other autoimmune conditions. 20% of those with AT also have a family member with a type of alopecia, suggesting genetics might cause the condition's development.

It's improbable that the hair will grow back if you have had alopecia totalis for longer than 2 years. Since the condition includes complete hair loss, common side effects of alopecia totalis include depression, isolation, frustration, and anger. 

Treatments For Alopecia Totalis

• Corticosteroids: Corticosteroid pills are either taken orally, creams are applied to the area, or injected.
  
  
• Pulse Steroid Therapy: This include a treatment known as diphencyprone (DPCP). The topical medicine is applied to the scalp weekly at the hospital. The allergic reaction stimulates hair growth.
  
  
• Biologics: It is a group of drugs currently being tested that contain proteins used to treat alopecia totalis. Biologic drugs are used to treat underlying autoimmune conditions and reduce the inflammatory response that is thought to cause AT.

There have been cases where the immune system stopped attacking hair follicles, and hair growth occurred. However, the chances of alopecia totalis resolving itself are very slim. Since there aren't any cures, many women wear wigs to completely cover hair loss. You can choose between a lace front wig or a Machine Made Wig. For IRS 19,800, you can get a high-quality 20-inch machine-made wig from Diva Divine and enjoy styling versatility while maintaining a natural look.

Machine-made wigs are easy to install and remove, won't damage your scalp, and you can treat them like your natural hair! Machine-made wigs from Diva Divine offer complete coverage and parting options like your natural hair. The wigs are made with human hair and are easy to maintain. You can even get these wigs customized at Diva Divine.

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#4 Alopecia Universalis

Types of alopecia areata

Alopecia universalis (AU) is another autoimmune disorder that causes hair loss. This sort of hair loss is distinct from other types of alopecia. Alopecia universalis is a type of alopecia areata that causes complete hair loss to your body and scalp. Symptoms of AU include loss of body hair, eyebrows, lashes, inside the nostril, and scalp hair. The itching and burning sensation of the affected area are also linked to alopecia universalis.

Similar to alopecia areata, the immune system attacks its healthy cells and hair follicles in alopecia universalis. This, in turn, triggers hair loss. Stress and other autoimmune diseases are also believed to trigger alopecia Universalis.

A dermatologist usually observes the hair loss pattern when diagnosing alopecia universalis– it's smooth without scars and acute hair loss. A scalp biopsy and blood work are also conducted to confirm the condition.

Treatments For Alopecia Universalis

• Corticosteroids: Since it is an autoimmune disease, the doctor may prescribe corticosteroids to weaken your immune response. Topical therapies might be administered. Immune stimulation is achieved using topical immunotherapies.
  
  
• Ultraviolet Light Therapy: Dermatologists may also recommend ultraviolet light therapy in some circumstances to increase blood flow and reactivate hair follicles.
  
  
• Tofacitinib: Tofacitinib is a prescription medicine that has been shown to be useful in treating alopecia universalis. The medication is used to treat rheumatoid arthritis.
  
  
• Minoxidil: Minoxidil (Rogaine) is a treatment for alopecia universalis that can be used on both adults and children. It is used in addition to other therapies to help promote hair regrowth.
  
  
• Diphencyprone (DPCP): DCPC, like alopecia areata, is utilized to induce an allergic reaction in order to boost white blood cell count. It promotes hair development by activating hair follicles.

To conceal hair loss from alopecia universalis the best route is to wear a Lace Front Wig. If you can't find a lace front wig that's made with 100% human hair, then check out Diva Divine's collection of wigs. The lace fronts units are available in numerous lengths and two textures. The cap construction and lace material are gentle on your scalp. The wigs can also be customized at Diva Divine to your preference.

#5 Traction Alopecia

Unlike the other types of alopecia mentioned above, traction alopecia is caused by frequently wearing tight hairstyles in the same spot and using heat & chemicals on your hair. The constant tightening and pulling cause the strands to fall out and leave patchy spots.

You can reverse traction alopecia by wearing loose hairstyles and using less heat and chemicals on your hair. If you don't intervene soon, it can become permanent. Once it becomes permanent, the follicles will be damaged, and your hair might not grow back.

In the initial stage, it can look like small bumps on your scalp, but you will notice broken strands as it progresses. Other symptoms include:

• Redness
• Soreness and scaling
• Itching
• Receding hairline around the forehead
• Blisters with pus
• Wider and noticeable space while parting the hair

To prevent traction alopecia, avoid tight hairstyles, choose open styles, use low-tension hair ties, and don't chemically process your hair. Use an 18-inch 5-Clip Ear-To-Ear Volumizer or a 6-Clip Hair Extension in 18-inches from Diva Divine if you wear extensions. Both are single-set extensions that provide length and volume without straining your roots.

Keep your hair healthy by getting enough iron and protein. Eat nuts, meat, vegetables, and brown rice as they are high in protein and iron.

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Remedies For Alopecia

• Lifestyle Change: If the cause of your alopecia is stress, lifestyle change is one of the most effective treatments. If your work life consists of long shifts, big decisions, and high-pressure conditions, changing your working style (or transferring from your current job) can sometimes result in significant changes. Reducing consumption of nicotine, stimulants, caffeine, and exercising will help reduce stress.
  
  
• Massaging Natural Oils: Massaging the scalp with healthy hair oils might aid in hair thickness. Stretching the scalp is believed to increase dermal papilla cell hair development and thickness. These cells are crucial in the creation of hair growth. Massage has been demonstrated to promote blood flow and relieve stress. As home remedies, use oils such as aloe vera, coconut, rosemary, and onion juice.
  
  
• Taking Vitamins: Vitamin supplements with biotin, folic acid, and antioxidants have proven beneficial to women suffering from thinning hair. It is essential to inform your dermatologist about supplements you are consuming before testing because they may impact the outcomes.

Washing And Caring For Your Hair & Scalp

• Due to alopecia and hair thinning, you may be tempted not to shampoo your hair. It is, nevertheless, critical to maintaining clean hair and scalp. Trying to limit washing will create inflammation and scaling, making your scalp unhealthy. The germs in pollution, perspiration, oil, and dirt will aggravate dermatitis and irritation. Use a Sulfate-Free Moisturizing Shampoo to reduce scalp irritation and clean your hair at the same time.
  
  
• Shampoo from the roots to cleanse the hair and scalp, and condition from the mid-lengths to rehydrate, restore, and seal the follicles to combat thinning.When you shower or wash your hair, take time out to slowly and carefully detangle your hair. Any harsh treatment or handling can cause more hair loss.
  
  
• People with alopecia totalis should exercise caution in the sun since they are more prone to sunburn. Exposure to the sun can cause skin cancer, so it's best to wear a lace front wig or a hat or apply sunscreen.

Hair symbolizes femininity and beauty, and it is something many women take pride in. With autoimmune conditions attacking your follicles, watching your hair falling off can be devastating. That's why human hair toppers, lace front wigs, and single-set extensions are popular methods of concealing hair loss and feeling confident.

So, now that you know the common types of alopecia, their causes, and short and long-term treatments, get yourself diagnosed by a specialist today. Meanwhile, use toppers and wigs to conceal partial or complete hair loss with Diva Divine.