Alopecia Wigs

Genetic alopecia, commonly referred to as androgenetic alopecia or pattern baldness, is a condition that is attributed to genetics. This condition presents as a hypersensitivity of hair follicles to the hormone DHT, or dihydrotestosterone.  Hair follicles to shrink in size, causing the hair to thin and eventually fall out. Although women may also suffer from this condition, they may not present the signs of balding that men do. Women may observe significant changes in volume, patches, or thinning hair. Women affected by pattern baldness typically develop this condition by their late 20s or early 30s but could experience it as young as 4. 

As we age there is a natural reduction in the volume of hair follicles. This causes hair to thin out. Involutional alopecia is a condition that is directly associated with this type of hair thinning that occurs with aging. The symptoms of involutional alopecia may be most noticeable in the front or crown of the head, and it can vary in severity. If you are experiencing significant hair loss due to involutional alopecia and are looking for a solution, then you might consider using a wig for thinning hair. A wig can help cover the areas most affected by thinning hair and help restore confidence.

Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disease. The natural hair follicles are under attack by the immune system resulting in the loss of hair. Areata is the medical term for “patchy” and can happen at any time, but is often noticed in young children. There is no way of determining whether the hair will grow back. Often, the hair does grow back only to fall out again at a later date, sometimes many years later.

Common Types of Alopecia Areata:

• ophiasis alopecia – loss of hair along the back of the head and scalp edge with a wavy pattern of thinning hair
• totalis alopecia – total hair loss on the scalp, but no significant hair loss on the body
• universalis alopecia – permanent loss of all hair on the body and scalp
• traction alopecia – damage to hair follicles and loss of hair due to tension on the scalp from wearing extensions, tight braiding, ponytails, and buns worn repeatedly.
• cicatricial alopecia – hair loss from scar tissue developed on the hair follicles 
• central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia – male pattern baldness in women over time, also caused by frequent chemical, heat and tension when styling
• lichen planopilaris – inflammation of the scalp from an autoimmune disorder causing redness, scaly skin, bald patches and sometimes pain and burning
• alopecia effluvium – hair falling out or thinning because of chemotherapy and radiation
• telogen effluvium – hair loss where surgery or trauma has occurred

Individuals who suffer from trichotillomania, also known as trich, pull or tug their hair so much that they have hair loss in patches. This hair pulling disorder is often treated with medication and behavioral therapy. When symptoms are uncontrollable individuals may choose to shave their scalp and wear a head covering such as a wig in order to stop the behavior. 

• Trichorrhexis Nodosa is when hair is damaged by processing.  Exposure to heat styling, chemical applications, straightening or extensions, can leave hair so brittle it breaks off.