Hair thinning? 6 early signs of permanent hair loss

If your middle part is slowly expanding or the top of your head looks sparser, this could be a sign of androgenetic alopecia (hereditary hair loss). It often starts subtly but gets worse over time if left untreated.

Smooth, round bald patches that stick around for months can signal conditions like alopecia areata or certain scarring alopecias. These need medical attention to prevent permanent follicle damage.

If your hairline is moving back or your edges are thinning out (especially from tight hairstyles), that¡¯s often a long-term pattern of hair loss. Left unchecked, it can become permanent ¡ª especially in cases of traction alopecia.

Notice your ponytail feels thinner or your hair looks flatter than it used to? Gradual, overall thinning is a red flag that your follicles might be shrinking or shutting down over time.

Normally, thinning areas should show some baby hairs or short regrowth if your follicles are still active. If there¡¯s no fuzz or fine hairs popping up, it could be a sign that regrowth isn¡¯t happening on its own.

If parts of your scalp look glossy, smooth, or scarred where hair used to grow, it may mean the follicles are permanently damaged. This is common in certain inflammatory or scarring forms of alopecia.