It is very normal to lose some hair every day as part of your hair’s usual growth cycle. For most people, the lost hair grows back, and you maintain a full head of hair. But illness, hormonal changes, stress, aging and inherited conditions can interfere with your hair’s growth cycle. More hair falls out, but new strands don’t always grow back.

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What is hair loss?

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Most healthy people lose up to 100 strands of hair per day. As part of your hair’s growth cycle, as the old hairs are shed the new hairs begin to grow.

When you start to shed more strands — and fewer or none grow back — the condition is called alopecia (hair loss). There are several types of hair loss, and it can affect both men and women and even children. You may lose hair just on your head or from your body as well.

 

What are the types of hair loss?

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Some types of hair loss are permanent, while others are temporary. The most common types of hair loss include:

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• Androgenic alopecia: This type of hair loss can affect both males and females and is hereditary.

• Alopecia areata: This is an autoimmune disease that causes hair loss and it can affect hair on both the body and head, it can be complete or partial.

• Telogen effluvium: This involves rapid shedding of hair during a short period of time. It typically occurs over a few months and is generally triggered by your body goes through something physically or emotionally stressful. It can also result from sudden hormonal changes.

• Anagen effluvium: This very rapid hair loss occurs due to certain medical treatments, such as chemotherapy                                                     

 

 How common is hair loss?

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Baldness (androgenic alopecia) is the most common type of hair loss, it becomes more advanced with age and affects more men than women with a vast majority of men losing all their hair. Women's hair tends to thin out and it is estimated that 20% of women under 50 are affected.

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What causes hair loss?

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Hair loss has many possible causes. The most common include:

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• Hereditary hair loss passed down from generations.

• Fungal infections on the scalp.

• Hairstyles styles such as braids, hair extensions or tight ponytails that pull the hair.

• Damage to the hair caused by perms and bleach.

• Hormonal changes, especially pregnancy or the menopause.

• Chemotherapy or other medications that affect rapidly dividing cells.

• A lack iron or protein.

• Stress.

• Thyroid or Parathyroid disease.

 

What are the symptoms of hair loss?

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• Receding around the hairline 

• Thinning hair all over the head.

• Loss of small patches of hair on the scalp.

• Loss of hair on the scalp and body.

 

How is hair loss diagnosed?

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The cause of hair loss may be obvious, for example if on chemotherapy, there is a clear cause.

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• Ask about your family history, including if any relatives experienced hair loss and at what age.

• Look at your medical history.

• See your GP so they can order blood tests to measure thyroid function and iron levels.

• Examine your scalp for signs of infection.

 

How is hair loss treated?

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If your hair loss results from medication, hormonal imbalances, thyroid disease or diet, your GP can address these causes. With correction of the underlying problem it can help help stop hair loss and allow you to regain growth.

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Most hair loss treatments are meant to help with male and female pattern hair loss. These treatments include:

• Medication: Cosmetic medications minoxidil, Regaine®, this is generally the first course of treatment for hair loss.

• Prescription oral medication (finasteride, or Propecia®) is approved only for men with male pattern baldness, and via you GP.

• Hair transplant where the provider transplants hair strands, embedding them into your scalp where your hair is thinnest, available at specialist CQC registered premises that specialise in hair transplant.

• Platelet-rich plasma (PRP): This is done by taking a sample of blood and separating the plasma. The platelet-rich plasma is then injected into your scalp, this helps to slow hair loss and with growth factors stimulate new hair growth.

 

How can I prevent hair loss?

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Unfortunately not all hair loss can be prevented, however you can take steps to help keep your hair healthy and reduce loss. To help prevent hair loss:

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• Eat a healthy diet that includes plenty of  protein and iron.

• Reduce stress levels.

• Seek help from the GP for the effective management of thyroid disease or other medical conditions that could result in hair loss.

• Avoid hairstyles that pull the hair.

• Cryotherapy  treatment with a cooling cap during chemotherapy.

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