ABSTRACT
Alopecia classifications allow accurate diagnosis, a targeted therapy and a precise prognosis. The most common types of alopecia are androgenetic alopecia, telogen effluvium, alopecia areata, and cicatricial alopecia. However, in some cases of alopecia, the follicles seem to simply “disappear” without any noticeable alteration. Clinically, cicatricial alopecia is defined by the loss of follicular ostia. Male or female androgenetic alopecia induces a relatively early hair loss phenomenon of varying incidence and extent. The use in practice of hair and scalp classifications helps in making an accurate diagnosis in the case of cicatricial alopecia. Hair loss can occur through a variety of mechanisms. If hair shafts are defective or traumatized, they can be prone to breakage or premature loss. A multifactorial classification has been developed to study parameters such as fixed distances of the face, scalp laxity and thickness, and hair coverage.
