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Alopecia

Society can be fickle. While it is difficult for a man to lose his hair, it is at least socially acceptable. When a woman starts losing her hair, the experience can be downright devastating. Confusion, fear, and anxiety often set in, along with profound feelings of helplessness.

If you are a woman reading this page, there is a good chance either you or someone you know is experiencing hair loss. We will do our level best to help you understand the actual causes of female hair loss, what you can do to stop the problem from getting worse and how to help restore healthy hair.

Not at all unusual

Most people are shocked to learn that hair loss in women is actually very common and is similar to male pattern baldness. However, the actual causes can be much more elusive and complicated. Doctors and trichologists usually diagnose female pattern baldness with the help of a classification system, known as the Ludwig Scale.

Originally designed by Hamilton in the 1950’s, this pattern baldness classification system was modified by Ludwig in the 1970’s. It’s very useful in establishing a baseline determining the actual extent of hair loss.

Ludwig scale chart

Female Androgenetic Alopecia is the most common kind of diffuse hair loss experienced by women. It is particularly likely to appear at times of hormonal change, such as pregnancy or menopause. Generally alopecia is identified by overall thinning hair - in contrast to patchy loss.

Take a moment and familiarize yourself with the Ludwig Scale. This will help you identify exactly which class of hair loss you have and to what extent it has progressed. It is also a good way to see how your hair loss pattern may continue - if left untreated.

	Type 1 Minimal or no recession of the hair line.
	Type 2 Triangular, usually symmetrical, areas of recession at the front temporal hair line.
	Type 3 In this presentation, the hair loss is primarily from the vertex with limited recession of the front temporal hair line that does not exceed the degree of recession seen in type 3.
	Type 4 The front temporal recession is more severe than in type III. There is sparse hair or no hair on the vertex. The two areas of hair loss are separated by a band of moderately dense hair that extends across the top. This band connects with the fully haired fringe on the sides of the scalp. Type IV is distinguished from type III vertex in which the loss is primarily from the vertex.

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	Type 5 The vertex hair loss region is still separated from the front temporal region but it is less distinct. The band of hair across the crown is narrower and sparser. The vertex and front temporal regions of hair loss are bigger. Viewed from above, types V, VI, and VII are all characterized by surviving hair on the sides and back of the scalp forming a distinct horseshoe shape.
	Type 6 The vertex hair loss region is still separated from the front temporal region but it is less distinct. The band of hair across the crown is narrower and sparser. The vertex and front temporal regions of hair loss are bigger. Viewed from above, types 5, 6, and 7 are all characterized by surviving hair on the sides and back of the scalp forming a distinct horseshoe shape.
	Type 7 In this presentation, the hair loss is primarily from the vertex with limited recession of the front temporal hair line that does not exceed the degree of recession seen in type III.