Thanks.

ya know, I persistently asked about this same topic and was VERY dissapointed in my responses. I guess nobody on here knows about this ...sigh...its just you and me mark...

Its when your balding is the same all over your head.

Most people lose their hair in one area and keep it in others. Diffuse thinning is when hair all over your head gets thinner & thinner simultaneously.

mrkneed and NG2GB,

I have seen diffuse thinning refer to a couple of things.

Diffuse Alopecia:

Diffuse Alopecia is a condition characterized by hair loss over the entire scalp including the sides and back of the head. An example of Diffuse Alopecia is Telogen Effluvium. Many things can cause this, but Diffuse Alopecia is not genetic.

Some possible causes are but not limited to:

1. Pregnancy or shortly thereafter

2. Certain medications (anticoagulants - blood thinning drugs)

3. Scalp determatitus or other inflamation of the scalp

4. Severe infections such as pneumonia

5. Traumatic Stress (physical or emotional)

6. Iron deficiency

7. Hormonal changes in the body (example: thyroid disorders)

Treating this type of hair loss depends on the actual hair loss cause. Tests should be performed by a doctor to first determine the cause which may involve a thyroid gland test to determine it is working properly and whether or not iron level are normal. Medication or supplements may be administered to correct the condition. In most cases of diffuse alopecia, no treatment is needed for the hair loss condition itself and in many cases, the hair regrows. Some people however may continue to experience diffuse alopecia and the scalp hair remains thin. Complete baldness however, is exceptionally rare.

Genetic Hair Loss with a Diffuse Pattern:

More commonly on our hair restoration discussion forum, many people refer to a "diffuse thinning" pattern as hereditary hair loss with diffiuse thinning all over the top of the scalp while the sides and back of the head remain unaffected. These hairs will miniaturize going from terminal to vellus gradually. This type of hair loss is still genetic and can be treated with Propecia (finasteride) and/or Rogaine (minoxodil).