Men are most commonly affected by this type of hair loss, but
women can get it too, usually after menopause. This is when hair
loss may come and go. It occurs mainly in young people
(teenagers and young adults) and is thought to be caused by a
problem with the immune system. This is hair thinning, rather
than hair loss. It is caused by stress or by an adverse reaction
to medication. It usually corrects itself. This is when scarring
of the scalp destroys the hair follicles. Without follicles,
hair cannot grow. This can occur as a result of various medical
conditions, for instance, shingles. Hair loss can also be caused
by chemotherapy. Treatments for Hair Loss Your treatment will
depend on the type of alopecia you have. If you have androgenic
alopecia, you may be given a hormone blocking medication called
finasteride.