Why Does Hair Loss Happen?
The average scalp contains about 100,000 hairs and it is normal to lose around 100 of them every day.
However, due to genetics, as we grow older gradually the number of hairs we lose increases in both men and women. This is called inherited hair loss and about half of all people get it by the age of fifty. Those with inherited hair loss are genetically more sensitive to testosterone, which causes hair follicles to shrink.
Overall, men’s bodies create larger quantities of this hormone. Therefore, some of them begin to lose their hair at the age of 21 and a large percentage has developed bald patches by the age of 40.
Women tend to lose more hair due to testosterone following menopause, after the age of 45. Nevertheless, shifts in their hormone levels because of changes in their menstrual cycle, childbirth and birth control pills can lead to hair loss even before then, but it usually grows back.
What Can Affect Hair Loss
Although, balding tends to come with aging, even children can suffer from it. Ringworm of the scalp is quite common in infants. Teenagers and young adults tend to suffer from a more rare cause of hair loss: trichotillomania. This is a stress-related compulsive behaviour, in which a person pulls hairs out from all over his body.
Another reason for hair loss regardless of age is malnutrition. Research has specifically linked it to lack of protein and iron. Furthermore, in some studies it has been connected to excessive smoking. When the individual develops a healthier lifestyle hair tends to grow back quite quickly.
It takes a long time (almost a year) for people that suffer from alopecia areata to grow their hair back. This disease specifically attacks hair follicles and results in round- shaped hairless patches on the scalp and the rest of the body or overall thinning hair.
Thyroid diseases (hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism) if not treated, sometimes lead to hair loss as well, as do more rare diseases such as lupus and syphilis. The hair in these cases tends to grow back again when the patient takes the appropriate medication.
Cancer, both when left untreated and when treated with chemotherapy leads to non-permanent hair loss. In addition, certain medicines or medical treatments, such as blood thinners may cause hair loss in some individuals, but not permanently.
Finally, certain hair grooming products, hair dyes, curling irons and hairstyles weaken our hair and sometimes causes hair loss. A lot of our clients use Harley Street Hair Transplant Clinics due to the aforementioned issues.
Male Hair Loss
Male pattern baldness (androgenetic alopecia) is the most common cause of hair loss in men and studies have shown that is inherited from their mothers as it is found in the X chromosome. According to the American Hair Loss Association, between 65% and 80% of males will experience some degree of androgenetic alopecia during their lifetime. Typically the hair loss will start in the form of a receding hairline and then may also develop in the crown area.
Female Hair Loss
There are three primary types of hair loss in women: androgenetic alopecia, telogen effluvium, and non-pattern hair loss. Androgenetic alopecia is the most common form of hair loss in women. The pattern of hair loss in women with this condition is often less predictable than in men. There are many potential causes of telogen effluvium, including medication use, dietary tendencies, and stress. There are also rarer types of hair loss that fall into the ‘non-pattern hair loss’ category.
Conclusion
To conclude, hair loss is rarely a disease on its own, far from it. It is something that happens naturally to everyone. More excessive hair loss as we grow older is normal. However, because it might be an indicator of an underlying health problem if it persists for more than a couple of months you should inform your doctor about it or/and fill out the form provided for a FREE consultation with one of our hair transplant specialists.
Related Information
Find out more about hair loss by viewing other pages about the topic below:
Female Pattern Baldness
Affects: Around 8 million women in the UK
Most Common Type: Androgenetic Alopecia
Male Pattern Baldness
Affects: Around 7.5 million men in the UK
Most Common Type: Androgenetic Alopecia
Patient Testimonials
Aside from achieving fantastic results, we believe that keeping in touch with our patients before, during and after their hair transplantation procedure is paramount – it helps to keep our patients feeling calm and in control. We’re always on hand to provide guidance, support and aftercare advice. Time and again, our patients tell us that this is what sets us apart from other clinics.
You can read our great reviews of FUE hair transplants over on Google and TrustPilot
Kieran Dancy19/01/2024"My experience with Harley Street Clinic was exceptional. I was very apprehensive about getting my FUE procedure done, as one would expect. However, Sara reassured me and was very supportive pre and post-procedure. I am so pleased with the result thus far. The new hairline suits my face, and I cannot wait to see the full results. I must thank everyone at the Harley Street Clinic for their support, guidance, and care."I had an outstanding experience with the Harley Street Clinic. Initially, I had some apprehensions about getting my Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) procedure done, as I was unsure about how it would turn out. However, Sara, who assisted me throughout the procedure, was very supportive and helped calm my nerves. She provided me with thorough pre and post-procedure guidance, which was extremely helpful. I am delighted with the results I have seen so far. The new hairline suits my face perfectly, and I cannot wait to see the full results in the coming months. The team at the Harley Street Clinic was very supportive, and I felt like I was in good hands throughout the entire process. I would like to express my gratitude to everyone at the clinic for their support, guidance, and care. The experience was very positive, and I would highly recommend the Harley Street Clinic to anyone looking to undergo a similar procedure.
David Price09/01/2024Thank you to the doctor and team. I was well looked after on the day of surgery and I’m really looking forward to the results. Initial anaesthetic injection was the only bit that I didn’t like but other than that, all good. Would recommend. David
ashley sheppard07/09/2023Lovely surgeon and assistants who made me feel at ease. No pain whatsoever. Would recommend.
Ross Thorndyke31/07/2023Great surgeon, quick responses. Even drafted a Locum in to cover the original surgeon being on holiday. Very impressed with the set up and the results are very good so far.
GrayBx17/04/2023To start, their care and procedures are absolutely incredible, if I was to base the review solely on the Dr and nurses I had for my procedure it would be an easy 5 stars. However I am rating only 4 stars, which I would consider slightly generous. I am trans, although very early transition when I had the procedure, and within the consultation I feel I was overlooked of what I wanted. After being asked what I was looking for from the procedure, I said I was trans, and wanted a natural looking feminine hairline (as well as obviously fixing my natural hairline), to which my consultant claimed that a masculine hairline would be easier to look natural. Going along with this, I thought any hairline transplant is better than nothing, and that he was the professional so I should take his advice and bite my tongue. In fairness, I was not wearing make up and was in jeans and a hoodie for the consultation, so maybe what I said just went over his head or maybe he didn’t take me seriously. In hindsight, I wish I didn’t closet myself at the first sign of push back from what I perceived as a medical professional, even talking to my doctor near the end of the procedure I felt comfortable enough to come out to him after what I had initially perceived to be a transphobic clinic (I promise you it’s not), and wish he was the one to do the consultation in the first place. He even said something along the lines of “I’ve done a masculine hairline on you, I wish you had have said something sooner”, and I didn’t want to cause any trouble for my consultant, so I didn’t say anything. All in all, the procedure went perfectly, and has healed really well. Cannot speak any higher of my doctors and nurses (although I have forgotten their names), and although not entirely happy with the hairline I received, it was done perfectly and is 100x better than my natural hairline. To all my trans girlies out there, please make it really clear what you want, look as fem as possible for the consultation, and if they push back at all - don’t let them walk all over you.
Ricardo David14/12/2022Loved the team!
Emma Walker27/09/2022I originally took a lot of time researching a hair transplant company within the UK and came across these guys. I have to say that the whole experience has been so smooth from start to finish. Kevin has been nothing but helpful and it was encouraging to know that he only wanted the best for the client. The reason for my hair transplant was traction alopecia and even though I am only 5 days post op I can already see the potential hairline I will have in a few months time. Everything including booking, payment, forms etc was all so easy and straightforward to do with the help of Kevin. The day of the surgery I had my mum come with me and she was able to come into the room to start with before the actual surgery to help choose my hairline and Dr Kalra explained everything not only to me but to my mum also. Then it was onto the actual surgery part of the day and I have to say that while the local anaesthetic injections were pretty painful, the rest of the day was completely relaxing. Dr Kalra and the other staff (sorry I can’t remember their names) totally put me at ease. Everything was explained and if I needed anything all I had to do was ask. Post op I had a lot of bleeding in the donor area which I was worried about but Dr Kalra put my mind at ease straight away. If I had any questions or worries then Dr Kalra and Kevin were always on hand to help. 5 days post op I still have a fair amount of swelling and bruising but it is improving every day and I can’t wait to see results. I’ve booked a PRP session with Dr Kalra for 5 weeks time so I will post another update once that has been done. Thank you to everyone but special thanks to Kevin and Dr Kalra!
Jack Booth10/09/2022The whole experience was very straight forward and professional and the staff were very friendly. I felt I was in safe hands with Dr Kalra and the others who did the surgery and the aftercare process was explained very clearly to me afterwards.
