AI hair analysis tools can help you identify whether your hair loss follows a pattern consistent with alopecia areata or androgenetic alopecia, two conditions that look different and require completely different treatments. Misdiagnosis of hair loss type leads to wrong treatment in approximately 28% of cases, making accurate identification the most important first step.
Why Distinguishing Hair Loss Type Matters
Alopecia areata and androgenetic alopecia (male pattern baldness) are fundamentally different conditions:
| Feature | Alopecia Areata | Androgenetic Alopecia |
|---|---|---|
| Cause | Autoimmune attack on follicles | DHT hormone sensitivity |
| Pattern | Round, smooth patches anywhere | Predictable Norwood Scale stages |
| Onset | Sudden, any age | Gradual, typically after puberty |
| Follicle damage | Temporary (follicles remain alive) | Progressive miniaturization |
| Treatment | Immunomodulators, corticosteroids | Finasteride, minoxidil, transplant |
| Transplant viable | Only in stable remission (2+ years) | Yes, at appropriate Norwood stages |
Applying finasteride (80-90% halt, 65% regrowth for pattern baldness) to alopecia areata will not produce results because the underlying mechanism is entirely different. Similarly, corticosteroid injections that calm the autoimmune response in alopecia areata will not reverse Norwood-stage recession.
How AI Assessment Helps
Pattern Recognition
AI tools analyze the distribution of hair loss across your scalp. Androgenetic alopecia follows the Norwood Scale: recession begins at the temples (Norwood 2, requiring 800-1,500 grafts if treated surgically), deepens into an M-shape (Norwood 3, 1,500-2,200 grafts), and progressively thins through the vertex.
Alopecia areata presents differently. The patches are typically:
- Circular or oval in shape
- Smooth with no visible broken hairs or scarring
- Located anywhere on the scalp, not just at the hairline or crown
- Sometimes accompanied by "exclamation point" hairs at patch borders
AI facial landmark analysis using 468 reference points can identify whether recession follows the symmetrical, temple-first pattern of androgenetic alopecia. If the loss pattern does not match any Norwood stage, that signals the need for further clinical evaluation to rule out alopecia areata or other conditions.
Tracking Changes Over Time
One of the most practical uses of AI assessment for alopecia areata is monitoring. Because the condition can flare and remit unpredictably, regular photo-based analysis creates an objective record of:
- Patch size changes over weeks or months
- New patch development
- Regrowth progress during treatment
- Overall density shifts
Taking a standardized photo every 2 to 4 weeks and running it through an AI analysis tool gives you data to share with your dermatologist, replacing subjective descriptions like "I think it's getting worse" with measurable observations.
Screening Before Clinic Visits
A dermatology appointment costs $100-300 or more. Running a free AI assessment first helps you:
- Determine whether your loss pattern matches androgenetic alopecia or suggests another condition
- Document your current state with a baseline measurement
- Prepare specific questions for your dermatologist based on your results
- Avoid unnecessary clinic visits if your hairline is stable
What AI Cannot Do for Alopecia Areata
AI photo analysis has clear boundaries:
- Cannot confirm alopecia areata diagnosis: Definitive diagnosis may require dermoscopy, pull tests, or scalp biopsy
- Cannot detect early patchy loss under existing hair: Small patches hidden by surrounding hair may not be visible in standard photos
- Cannot assess autoimmune markers: Blood tests for ANA, thyroid function, and inflammatory markers require clinical labs
- Cannot prescribe treatment: JAK inhibitors, corticosteroids, and other treatments require a physician
AI assessment is a screening and monitoring tool, not a replacement for clinical evaluation.
Using myhairline.ai for Initial Screening
Here is how to use the tool effectively if you suspect alopecia areata:
- Take clear photos of your entire hairline from the front, plus any visible patches from multiple angles
- Run the AI analysis to check whether your hairline pattern matches a Norwood stage
- Interpret the results: If your loss clearly follows a Norwood pattern, androgenetic alopecia is more likely. If the tool cannot classify your loss into a Norwood stage, further evaluation is warranted.
- Document and share: Bring your AI assessment results to your dermatologist as a starting point for discussion
If AI analysis confirms a Norwood stage pattern, you can explore treatment options specific to your stage. Norwood 2 patients may respond well to finasteride alone. Higher stages (Norwood 4 at 2,500-3,500 grafts through Norwood 7 at 5,500-7,500 grafts) typically require surgical planning.
If the pattern does not match, read about what causes alopecia areata and consider the hair transplant candidacy guide to understand when surgery may or may not be appropriate for your situation.
Next Steps
Regardless of your initial assessment results, professional evaluation is the definitive path for alopecia areata. Use AI tools to screen, monitor, and prepare, then work with a board-certified dermatologist for diagnosis and treatment planning.
Get your free AI hair analysis at myhairline.ai/analyze.
This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice.