Hair and hair loss (alopecia)

Abstract This chapter introduces the role of hair, both in our health and in society, before providing an overview of the conditions in which hair growth can be affected. These include hirsutism—excessive hair growth—and a condition known as alopecia, characterized by the absence of hair from places it would normally grow. The various possible underlying causes for alopecia are covered, but with the disclaimer that we often never know why a person develops alopecia to begin with. Possible treatments for the condition are also discussed, with a focus on techniques to manage alopecia that may not necessarily involve medication.