Involutional alopecia refers to hair loss that begins to appear around the age of 40 and accelerates around the age of 60. This happens in both men and women. Involutional alopecia occurs when some of the hair follicles go into a resting stage and others become shorter and sparser.

The main symptom of involutional alopecia is a gradual onset of hair loss that occurs with age. Another fact is that involutional alopecia is irreversible. It does not respond to treatment. This condition does not resolve on its own either. It is not associated with balding genes or hormones. This condition is permanent and has no specific cure or cause. Hair all over the body begins to thin out and become sparse. The pigment present in the hair also reduces. This happens because the body does not produce as much pigment as it did when it was younger.

Unlike other forms of alopecia like pattern balding or alopecia areata, this form of alopecia is not associated with any specific pattern of hair loss. The hair loss can occur all over the body; i.e. you can also experience loss of body hair. This condition can occur in spite of good dietary habits, exercise and proper rest.