why does my hair randomly grow course patches?

by Dr. Nikko Casper V 6 min read

Many people notice that growth during this phase is colorless or very light. This is due to slow color pigment cell formation. While the color usually returns, sometimes it never does. This is especially true in people with alopecia areata, an autoimmune condition that causes small, round bald patches.

Full Answer

Why is my hair growing in colorless patches?

Many people notice that growth during this phase is colorless or very light. This is due to slow color pigment cell formation. While the color usually returns, sometimes it never does. This is especially true in people with alopecia areata, an autoimmune condition that causes small, round bald patches.

Why won’t my hair grow?

Anything from your diet, chemical imbalances, or the products you may be using can make it challenging for your hair to grow. We all want long, healthy, shiny and damage-free locks, and we know how frustrating it can be when that doesn’t seem obtainable.

Why is my hair so thick?

Guest wrote: The hair's are normal, we all get different thickness in hairs this could be due to hormones, age or just new hair.

What does it mean when a patch of hair turns black?

A patch of hair that comes in darker/different color and of a different hair texture is usually caused from injury/irritation of some kind. That is a common spot to see a slight injury from jumping against something such as trying to jump up and bumping the coffee table, for instance.

What causes random hair patches?

What is alopecia areata? Alopecia areata is a condition that causes your hair to fall out in patches. These patches may connect and then become more noticeable. The condition develops when your immune system attacks the hair follicles causing hair loss.

What is it called when your hair grows in patches?

Overview of Alopecia Areata Hair typically falls out in small, round patches about the size of a quarter, but in some cases, hair loss is more extensive.

Why do I have random patches of no hair?

Symptoms of alopecia areata The main symptom of alopecia areata is hair loss that occurs in small, round patches on your head. This leaves smooth, peach-colored areas of scalp exposed. A mild case of alopecia areata starts with one to two coin-size hairless patches. In many instances, it stops after that.

What triggers alopecia areata?

Asthma, hay fever, atopic dermatitis, thyroid disease, vitiligo, or Down syndrome: Research shows that people who have one of these diseases are more likely to get alopecia areata.

What are the 3 types of alopecia?

Most people know alopecia to be a form of hair loss. However, what they don't always know is that there are three main types of the condition – alopecia areata, alopecia totalis and alopecia universalis.

Is alopecia life threatening?

The condition can develop at any age, although most people develop alopecia areata for the first time before the age of 30. Alopecia areata is not life-threatening and does not cause physical pain. However, the psychosocial effects of hair loss can be devastating.

What does alopecia areata regrowth look like?

Regrowth usually starts at the centre of the bald patch with fine white hair that thickens with time and usually regains its colour. Some people with alopecia areata develop small pits on their nails, similar to the dimples seen on a thimble.

Is alopecia caused by stress?

Alopecia areata (AA) is an autoimmune disease. It develops when your immune system attacks your hair follicles. This may be triggered by stress, and it can result in hair loss. Hair may be lost in round patches on the scalp, or across the entire scalp.

Why does my hair turn gray as I age?

That's because your melanocytes--the cells in your hair that produce those pigments--slow down and ultimately halt production. As your melanocytes stop working, your hair loses its color and fades to gray, explains Roger I. Ceilley, M.D., clinical professor of dermatology at the University of Iowa in Des Moines, in "Good Housekeeping" magazine 2 3.

Why is gray hair so fragile?

Because it contains little to no melanin, gray hair is thinner and more fragile than pigmented hair. Gray hair also has a thinner cuticle than pigmented hair, which means its outer layer is easily damaged and dehydrated, making gray hair coarse and kinky.

What does plucking hair mean?

Viel says plucking the hair just means it has to grow in again, meaning the short, wiry hair will continue to stick up noticeably. If you let it grow out, though, Viel says it will have enough weight to lie flat and blend in with the rest of your hair. Don't pluck gray hairs as they come in.

How to deal with gray hair?

Don't pluck gray hairs as they come in. Though they may be coarser than the rest of your hair, letting them grow out is the best way to deal with them, explains Louis Viel of the Miano Viel Salon in New York City in "Good Housekeeping" magazine 2. Viel says plucking the hair just means it has to grow in again, meaning the short, wiry hair will continue to stick up noticeably. If you let it grow out, though, Viel says it will have enough weight to lie flat and blend in with the rest of your hair.

What does low melanin production mean?

Low melanin production also means low oil production, explains Richard Korb, a scientist in research and development at Unilever, the company that makes Dove hair care products, in "More" magazine 3. Low oil production means hair has less natural moisture, so it tends to be coarse and breakable.

What happens when melanocytes stop working?

As your melanocytes stop working, your hair loses its color and fades to gray , explains Roger I. Ceilley, M.D., clinical professor of dermatology at the University of Iowa in Des Moines, in "Good Housekeeping" magazine 2 3.

Does hair change as you get older?

Your appearance can change significantly as you get older--not always in the ways you'd expect. Many people associate aging with the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles on the face, but your hair can show your age, too. Though gray hairs are an expected part of aging, you may be surprised to find that your hair gets coarse ...

Re: patch of course hair?

i can't help you there, but i can tell you that i have a really course patch of hair in my head at the crown. It is just thick and probably about 4 a... the rest of my hair is 3b or 3c

Re: patch of course hair?

A lot of people mention that the fringe on the back of the neck is more prone to tangles. Maybe it is damaged from tangling?

Re: patch of course hair?

It is most likely natural. The texture of the hair is determined by the follicle. So any sort of external hair care is not likely to affect it.

Re: patch of coarse hair?

I have this exact same thing. My hair is all over wavy and quite fine. But at the nape of my neck, my hair grows in coarse ringlets. It's been this way for as long as I can remember--probably since puberty. I wouldn't worry about it. I like my ringlets!

Re: patch of coarse hair?

The hair at the back of my neck is actually the best hair on my head, but I do have a coarse patch at the back of my head, near the part where the hair whorls out.

Re: patch of coarse hair?

I find when I have a slightly 'coarse' part of my hair, it's because there are more splits there. I have a weak spot at the back of my neck where collars rub, etc. I can't S&D there because I'm not bird and can't turn my head all the way around LOL.

What causes shadows in hair?

The presence of the color pigment cells and the hair shaft under the skin accounts for the shadow. On close inspection, those with dark hair may be able to discern a shadow or dark spots in their hair follicles. At the beginning of the phase, hair follicles reform and start creating the hair root bulb.

How does hair grow?

Hair growth occurs in a cyclic pattern. While the pattern of growth for each individual hair is identical to that of all of the surrounding hairs, individual hairs progress through the cycles of growth at different times. At any given time, most hair is actively growing. However, approximately six to eight percent of hair sheds each day, ...

Why is my peach hair a little downy?

Even though the fuzz may appear fine, sparse, weak and discolored, it points to future growth. Many people notice that growth during this phase is colorless or very light. This is due to slow color pigment cell formation .

What does shadow mean in hair?

Shadow indicates that hair follicles have entered into the anagen, or active, phase of hair growth. At the beginning of the phase, hair follicles reform and start creating the hair root bulb. Keratin and color pigment cells intermingle and accumulate, forming what will become the hair shaft.

How long does it take for hair to grow back?

When the number of hairs shed outpace the number of actively growing hairs, hair loss occurs. Once hair loss occurs it can take months for hair to grow back, and the growth does not always look encouraging.

Is it good to have short hair?

Fine, short hair growth is a very encouraging sign. The fragile nature of the hair during this phase of new growth requires gentle care. Some are able to use the hair to camouflage their bald spots.

Does alopecia cause bald patches?

While the color usually returns, sometimes it never does. This is especially true in people with alopecia areata, an autoimmune condition that causes small, round bald patches. The presence of downy hair, or peach fuzz, indicates that substantial growth can occur.

Why do I have scaly patches on my scalp?

Patches Of Scaling On The Scalp. Bear with me, because we're about to get slightly gross. If you have patches of skin on your scalp that seem scaly and rough, you're likely suffering from a fungal infection of the scalp known as ringworm. (I know, I know, I'm scratching at phantom itches now, too.)

What does it mean when you have patches of baldness?

Patches of baldness that appear without any other symptoms can be a sign of a variety of conditions, but they often point to alopecia areata, a specific kind of the hair-loss disorder alopecia whose primary symptom is patchy baldness.

What does it mean when your hair is dormant?

Essentially, telogen effluvium means that there is a huge rise in the number of dormant hair follicles on the head or body, with "dormant" meaning that they're not actually producing any hair . This rise in the telogen state means a lot of hair suddenly loosens and sheds.

How many people have alopecia?

Here's another thing worth remember: it's also very common. The National Alopecia Areata Association estimates that a whopping 147 million people worldwide have or will experience the illness at some point in their lives. The American Academy of Dermatology emphasizes in its alopecia areata material that it's not contagious or "caused by nerves;" the treatments are designed to target autoimmune difficulties, including cortisone injections and various other steroid medications.

What does it mean when your hair falls out?

1. Sudden Loss Of Hair. This is an interesting one, but there's not much a doctor can really do about it. It's called telogen effluvium, and it sounds vaguely like some kind of folk myth: it means that all your hair loosens or falls out after a severe shock or fright.

What is the fungus that causes white piedra?

The fungus responsible for white piedra, trichosporon, has been found in infections in people with lowered immune systems: the University of Adelaide names patients with "leukaemia, organ transplantation, multiple myeloma, aplastic anaemia, lymphoma, solid tumours and AIDS" as particularly vulnerable.

What causes black spots on hair?

But there's another condition that causes white, brown and black spots on hair: piedra. It's classified as a "superficial fungal infection of the hair shaft" by Medscape, and comes in both black and white varieties, both of which leave "spots" on the hair of the scalp, pubic area, beards, moustaches and eyelashes.

Why does my poodle have different hair color?

PoodleFoster. A patch of hair that comes in darker/different color and of a different hair texture is usually caused from injury/irritation of some kind. That is a common spot to see a slight injury from jumping against something such as trying to jump up and bumping the coffee table, for instance.

How long does it take for a poodle's hair to grow back?

The hair should grow back and blend in. It takes time for this, as poodle hair grows approx 1/4" per month.

Do poodles change color?

Purebred poodle coats do change from puppy to adult, and the genetics of poodle colors alone is bit of a complex issue.

Why does my hair get thicker?

The hair's are normal, we all get different thickness in hairs this could be due to hormones, age or just new hair .

Does zinc make hair thicker?

With too much zinc over time, either taken orally or topically, other parts of hair will begin to turn 'kinky'. This also means that the hair shaft itself turns thinner and finer -- though it can look thicker. It's amazing that I saw this post, because this is an issue that took me many clients and years to figure out.

Why is my hair not growing?

There are plenty of reasons why hair decides not to grow past a certain length. Anything from your diet, chemical imbalances, or the products you may be using can make it challenging for your hair to grow.

Why does hair get weaker as you get older?

Also, as you get older your hair tends to get weaker because of everything you put it through throughout your life, like styling, processing, bleaching, but also your food habits and physical health. Your original six year cycle trickles to a two year cycle, making hair thinner and unable to grow past a certain point. 4.

Why are eggs important for hair growth?

Eggs are a great source of biotin and protein, both of which promote hair growth. Protein is important for hair growth because the follicle is made of mostly protein. Biotin is needed to produce keratin which is a hair protein.

How much hair does a scalp shed?

It is a part of the hair growth process. Old hair is shed so that new hair can grow. Even the healthiest of scalps shed up to 150 strands of hair a day.

How much hair does an average person grow?

The average person’s hair grows about six inches every year. If your hair is not being cared for properly (too little care or too much care) and it is breaking off just as fast as it grows, then your hair will stay the same length until some habit is changed. Some of the most common ways to cause hair breakage are:

What are some good foods to grow hair?

Berries. Berries contain a lot of vitamins and antioxidants that can promote hair growth. Antioxidants help to protect hair follicles from damage. Strawberries, as an example, contain Vitamin C which helps produce collagen, another protein that helps to strengthen and prevent it from breaking.

Why is stress bad for hair?

Emotional and physical stress are linked to hair loss and an overall decrease in the quality of hair. Stress is detrimental to our hair growth as it restricts the hair growth cycle.