Lanugo is the fine hair covering almost a foetus’s entire body until before birth. In cases of malnutrition or extreme anorexia nervosa within adults, lanugo can grow anew as the sufferer’s body attempts to insulate itself.

Vellus hair is very short, fine, scarcely visible hair covering most parts of the bodies of both sexes.

Terminal hair is fully developed, and is typically longer, coarser, thicker and darker than the vellus type.

There are various causes of hair loss which include genetics, ageing, local skin conditions, diseases that affect the body generally, and use of certain medications, e.g. anti-cancer drugs and from mechanical damage to skin infections too. Only some of the conditions can be treat with hair replacement surgery or hair restoration products.

The following are the most common types of men’s hair loss:

1. Alopecia areata 1, 2

This condition generally causes coin-sized bald patches on the scalp or beard, rarely this condition will result in all body hair lost. The hair usually grows back in several months, except in those with widespread hair loss, for whom re-growth is unlikely.

Scientists are not sure what causes alopecia areata, although generally it is felt that a probable cause is a combination of factors including:

• genetic predisposition
• predisposition to allergy
• immune and autoimmune system responses
• emotional stress.

2. Telogen effluvium 1

Telogen effluvium is a type of hair loss that occurs when hair follicles are shifted into the telogen (or resting) phase prematurely. It causes a general thinning of the hair.

Telogen effluvium can be triggered by:

• nutritional status
• stress
• medication
• childbirth
• febrile illness
• surgical operation.

This type of hair loss usually remits within 3-6 months after the 3 causes are over or treated.

3. Male Pattern Hair Loss 1, 2, 3

Male Pattern Hair Loss is the most common type of hair loss in men. This is caused by a genetic pre-disposition and can affect males at any age after puberty.

With male pattern hair loss, your hair begins to thin at the temples and at the crown. As time goes on, the hair at the temples recedes further, leaving a central spur of hair at the front and an increasing bald spot at the crown. The only solution to permanently replacing lost hair for men through hair transplant.

Eventually the areas of hair loss at the front and crown meet, and the top of the head becomes increasingly bald. Eventually all that remains is a border of hair around the side and back of the head.

Male hair loss treatment and hair loss prevention product can curb hair loss. Our hair transplant specialists and hair restoration group are here to help you find solutions.