Last updated: 6 February 2026. Next review: 6 February 2027
Alopecia simply means hair loss. There are different types of alopecia, and various medical conditions and side effects of treatments that can cause hair loss. Here we provide details of some of the most common hair loss conditions. This is not an exhaustive list.
Alopecia areata is an autoimmune condition that causes sudden, patchy hair loss on the scalp, beard, eyebrows, eyelashes, or other parts of the body. It affects people of all ages and backgrounds and can vary in severity from small round patches to complete hair loss across the scalp and body. Read more
Central Centrifugal Cicatricial Alopecia (CCCA) is a type of scarring hair loss that begins at the centre of the scalp and gradually spreads outward. It is most common in women of African descent. CCCA permanently damages hair follicles, making early diagnosis and treatment important. Read more
Chemotherapy-induced alopecia (CIA) is hair loss that occurs as a side effect of chemotherapy treatment for cancer. Chemotherapy drugs target rapidly dividing cells, which includes cancer cells as well as other fast-growing cells in the body — including hair follicle cells. Read more
Frontal fibrosing alopecia (FFA) is a type of scarring hair loss that primarily affects the frontal scalp, including the forehead, eyebrows, and sideburn areas. FFA most commonly affects post-menopausal women, though it can also occur in younger women and men. Read more
Lichen planopilaris (LPP) is a type of scarring alopecia that primarily affects the scalp, most commonly in middle-aged women, although it also occurs in men, young adults, and, rarely, in children. Read more
Pattern hair loss is the most common type of hair loss. It occurs in both men and women and becomes more common with increasing age. Around 50% of men over 50 and 50% of women over 65 are affected, though it can also start in younger adults and occasionally in early teen years. Read more
Persistent chemotherapy-induced alopecia (pCIA) is a condition where hair loss continues for more than six months after completing chemotherapy. Read more
In telogen effluvium (TE), more hairs than usual enter the resting phase, leading to increased shedding. Instead of losing up to 100 hairs daily, some people may lose up to 300 hairs a day, resulting in noticeable thinning of hair volume. Read more
Traction alopecia is a type of hair loss caused by repeated strain or tension on the hair follicles, rather than genetic or immune factors. This condition can occur in anyone who wears their hair pulled back tightly for long periods. Read more
Trichotillomania is a condition characterised by a compulsive urge to pull out one’s own hair, which can lead to noticeable hair loss and emotional distress. Trichotillomania is a body-focused repetitive behaviour (BFRB). Read more