Alopecia is a chronic autoimmune inflammatory disorder that affects hair follicles, leading to partial or complete hair loss. In simple terms, it’s when your immune system mistakenly identifies your hair as foreign and attacks it. As long as you’re hairless, your immune system believes it’s doing a great job. Alopecia UK recognizes seven types of alopecia caused by various factors such as childbirth, lupus, severe emotional stress, or medical treatments like chemotherapy.
Alopecia UK defines the different types of alopecia as follows:
- Alopecia Areata: An autoimmune disorder in which T-cell white blood cells attack hair follicles, causing hair to stop growing and fall out. Hair loss typically starts as small round patches and may be temporary or permanent.
- Alopecia Totalis: Complete hair loss on the scalp.
- Alopecia Universalis: Complete hair loss on the entire body.
- Alopecia Barbae: Loss of facial hair, particularly in the beard area in men.
- Androgenic Alopecia: Also known as male or female pattern baldness, it is hereditary and affects many adult males, leading to hair thinning and loss.
- Traction Alopecia: Caused by excessive pulling on hair from tight hairstyles like braids or ponytails, which can eventually lead to permanent hair loss if hair follicles stop growing.
- Cicatricial Alopecia: A form of alopecia that leaves scars in the area of hair loss.
- Telogen Effluvium: A temporary condition where large amounts of hair fall out, often triggered by a traumatic event such as the death of a loved one.
- Trichotillomania: A psychiatric condition involving continuous hair-pulling. Treatment often requires psychological counseling.
While there is no cure for alopecia, about 60% of people may regrow their hair within two years, although it’s unpredictable whether the hair will stay or fall out again. The more hair lost, the harder it is to treat, and there are no guarantees of success with treatment.
The Impact of Alopecia
Although alopecia is not physically painful and most people who experience it are otherwise healthy, the psychological impact is profound and often overlooked. Hair is a key part of our identity, reflecting our culture, gender, and even our self-confidence. The loss of eyebrows and eyelashes, for example, can significantly affect how a person feels about themselves.The most common emotional consequence of alopecia is a loss of self-confidence. Hair helps convey who we are, and its loss can disrupt this personal identity. While some men celebrate baldness, female pattern baldness or hair loss can be particularly challenging. Statistics show that 40% of women with alopecia experience relationship difficulties, and 63% report career-related issues.
Wigs and hairpieces can mask hair loss, but they can also create anxiety around exposure, as wearers may fear that their wig will fall off or be noticed. For many, simple activities like swimming, changing rooms, or showering can feel overwhelming. Social stigma can make the situation even more difficult, especially for young people who may become self-conscious or anxious about their appearance.
Why Supporting Alopecia Charities Like Alopecia UK Matters
People with alopecia have long been overlooked. This September, during Alopecia Awareness Month, Malka London is committed to shedding light on the issues faced by the alopecia community and the small charities that support them.
Some of the challenges that people with alopecia face include:
- Difficulty in getting specialist referrals from GPs.
- Long waiting times for dermatology appointments.
- Some NHS Trusts withdrawing dermatology referrals or ceasing NHS wig provisions.
- Challenges in accessing mental health support.
- Negative experiences at school or work due to societal stigma.
Alopecia UK itself faces challenges, such as:
- Reduced donations due to the cost-of-living crisis.
- Increased demand for support services as healthcare struggles to meet patient needs.
- A lack of broader support beyond the alopecia community, with many seeing alopecia as “just hair.”
However, it’s more than just hair. Those affected by alopecia deserve better care, fairer treatment pathways, greater public understanding, and a society that reduces the stigma of living with a visible difference.
Alopecia UK continues to advocate for this community, but they need the resources to do so effectively. This September, Malka London aims to raise awareness of this cause and use our platform to support and amplify the stories of people affected by alopecia.
Let’s work together to make sure this community gets the care, understanding, and resources it deserves—not just this month, but every day.
