Balds

Balds, or baldness, describes partial or complete loss of hair from the scalp or other body regions. The most common form is androgenetic alopecia, driven by genetic and hormonal factors, leading to progressive thinning or a receding hairline. In men this often begins at the temples and crown; in women thinning tends to occur across the crown while the frontal hairline is usually preserved.

Other important forms include alopecia areata, an autoimmune condition causing well-defined patches of hair loss; telogen effluvium, where shedding increases due to stress, illness, or medications; and scarring (cicatricial) alopecias in which inflammation damages follicles irreversibly.

Causes and risk factors include genetics, aging, hormonal changes, autoimmune disease, medications (such as chemotherapeutics), nutritional deficiencies, and physical or emotional stress. Diagnosis is typically clinical but may involve dermoscopy, laboratory tests, and, in uncertain cases, scalp biopsy.

Treatment varies by type and extent. Androgenetic alopecia may respond to topical minoxidil, oral finasteride or dutasteride, and, for some patients, hair transplantation or low-level laser therapy. Women with androgenetic alopecia may use minoxidil alone or in combination with antiandrogen therapies. Alopecia areata treatment ranges from topical or intralesional corticosteroids to systemic therapies; severe cases may use immunomodulatory agents. Telogen effluvium usually improves after addressing the triggering factor. Scarring alopecias require anti-inflammatory or immunosuppressive treatments to halt progression; regrowth is often limited.

Prognosis depends on the cause; non-scarring forms can improve or stabilize with treatment, while scarring forms may lead to permanent hair loss. The condition can affect psychosocial well-being, prompting supportive care and counseling as part of management.