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.

The following are the most common types of 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.

Hair loss treatment with a hair restoration group can curb the hair loss menace. Our hair transplant specialists are here to help find a suitable solution for hair loss.