Q: Can stress produce diffuse unpatterned hair loss (DUPA), or was it bound to happen anyway?
A: Both DPA (diffuse patterned hair loss) and DUPA (diffuse unpatterned hair loss) are genetic conditions, unrelated to stress and would have happened anyway. These types of hair loss are characterized by a high percentage of mininiaturized hair in broad areas of the scalp. See the Classification of Hair Loss in Men and Classification of Hair Loss in Women pages on the Bernstein Medical – Center for Hair Restoration website for more information on this topic.
In contrast, stress generally presents as increased hair shedding, a reversible condition referred to as telogen effluvium. It is called this because the normal growing hair is shifted to a resting (telogen) phase before it temporarily falls out. Increased miniaturization is not associated with telogen effluvium.
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Topic: Causes of Hair Loss
Tags: Bernstein Medical - Center for Hair Restoration, Classification of Hair Loss in Men, Classification of Hair Loss in Women, Diffuse Unpatterned Alopecia (DUPA), Medical Conditions that Cause Hair Loss, Miniaturization, Shedding, Stress, Telogen Effluvium
Posted by Robert M. Bernstein M.D. at 8:24 am
I had diffuse thinning all over my scalp at age 30. But, I had enough to cover if I combed it right. Today I am 60 and have as much hair now as I had at 30. And, my dermatologist told me when I was 30 that many young people with diffuse hair loss stabilize and never go bald. So, he was right in my case. I have significant thinning but when combed right, it is almost unnoticeable. So, diffuse thinning can be the best hair loss for men as opposed to the typical male pattern loss. So, diffuse hair loss can definitely stop by itself. Thinning does not mean balding. It can stop.