The short answer is, it depends. Some causes of hair loss like from stress (telogen effluvium), hormonal changes that a woman will go through from pregnancy are reversible and easily treated. There are certain genetic conditions like male and female pattern baldness that aren’t reversible at least not without a surgical solution. If it is detected early then there are medications like minoxidil and finasteride and DHT blocking shampoos that can help halt the progression of hair loss.
Non-Reversible Types of Hair Loss: Pattern Baldness
Pattern baldness is a condition that was thought to be caused by changes in hormone levels, notably androgens that affect hair growth. Men tend to lose hair around the crown and receding hairline, while women most often have thinning hair around the very top of the scalp.
There are ways that hair loss from pattern baldness hair loss from androgenic alopecia is permanent. For those that want a permanent solution will have to look to solutions like hair transplants. It is during this type of procedure that hair follicles are grafted from areas that are full of healthy hair and transplanted to the thinning areas of the scalp.
Reversible Types of Hair Loss
There are other types of hair loss of which some are reversible under certain situations. We will explore some of these types of hair loss and how they can be reversed.
1. Telogen Effluvium (Stress-Related Hair Loss)
This is a hair loss that occurs when the human body has a shock response. This shock condition can happen from crash diets, pregnancy, or another physically taxing event. It can also occur during a particularly emotional or stressful time.
Hair loss from this condition happens because the hair temporarily stops growing as it is forced to go into the resting state. These hairs shed typically a few months after the shock response and the hair loss is often very noticeable. Hair loss from telogen effluvium can be reversed by eliminating the condition that caused the stress, the hair will return to its normal growth cycle.
2. Traction Alopecia (Styling and Tension-Related Hair Loss)
Traction alopecia is hair loss that is caused by repeated tension on the hair and the follicles. An example of putting tension on hair would be from styling your hair using tight weaves, cornrows, ponytails, and braids.
Traction alopecia can happen to anyone regardless of ethnicity or age. If you give your hair a break from hairstyles that cause tension to the hair and hair follicles is the best treatment.
3. Alopecia Areata (Patchy Hair Loss)
Alopecia areata is a hair loss symptom of autoimmune disease. Hair loss occurs because the immune system attacks the hair follicles. Treatment depends on the overall health of an individual. Enhanced Plasma Therapy (EPT) therapy can help those with alopecia areata regrow hair.
