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Definition
By Mayo Clinic staffHair loss can start with a few extra hairs in the sink or in your comb. Later, it can progress to a bare scalp.
Baldness typically refers to excessive hair loss from your scalp and can be the result of heredity, certain medications or an underlying medical condition. Anyone — men, women and children — can experience hair loss.
Some people prefer to let their baldness run its course untreated and unhidden. Others may cover it up with hairstyles, makeup, hats or scarves. And still others choose one of the medications and surgical procedures that are available to treat hair loss. Before pursuing any treatment option, talk with your doctor about the cause of and best possible treatments for your hair loss.
- Hair loss and hair restoration. American Academy of Dermatology. http://www.aad.org/public/publications/pamphlets/common_hairloss.html. Accessed Nov. 14, 2009.
- Alopecia areata. American Academy of Dermatology. http://www.aad.org/public/publications/pamphlets/common_alopecia.html. Accessed Nov. 14, 2009.
- Messenger AM. Alopecia areata. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Nov. 19, 2009.
- Goldstein BG, et al. Androgenetic alopecia. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Nov. 19, 2009.
- Goldstein BG, et al. Nonscarring hair loss. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Nov. 19, 2009.
- Goldstein BG, et al. Patient information: Hair loss in men and women (androgenetic alopecia). http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Nov. 19, 2009.
- Hair replacement. American Society of Plastic Surgeons. http://www.plasticsurgery.org/Patients_and_Consumers/Procedures/Cosmetic_Procedures/Hair_Replacement.html. Accessed Nov. 14, 2009.
- Gibson L (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Dec. 8, 2009.
- Hordinsky M. Cicatricial alopecia: discoid lupus erythematosus. Dermatologic Therapy. 2008;21:245-248.
- Trueb RM. Chemotherapy-induced alopecia. Seminars in Cutaneous Medicine and Surgery. 2009;28:11-14.
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