Hair loss (alopecia) occurs in both women and men and can have many different underlying causes. The most common is heredity, in which case the change can begin as early as the 20s or 30s, but illness, stress, nutritional deficiencies or medication can also make you lose more hair than usual.
Hair loss is common and can be temporary or long-term. It is normal to lose between 50 and 100 hairs a day as part of the hair growth cycle (the anagen growth phase, the catagen transition phase and the telogen resting phase), but when the pattern changes or the scalp becomes more visible, the cause needs to be investigated.
We offer a free consultation where we examine your hair and scalp and go through the options available to counteract your particular hair loss.
- Hair loss is common
- Can be temporary or long-term
- A consultation is the first step
Hair loss in men
In many men, hereditary hair loss starts at the temples. The hairline gradually moves back and up, and a bald patch may develop on the crown. This is often due to the hormone DHT, which weakens the hair follicles over time, but other causes should be ruled out before a treatment is chosen.
Receding hairline
The temples recede and the hairline often forms an M or U shape. This is a common first sign of androgenetic alopecia.
Read about Receding hairline →Bald patch on the crown
The hairs become finer before they disappear. The earlier you seek help, the more options there are to slow the progression.
Read about Bald patch on the crown →Counteract and slow hair loss
At a free consultation we map your scalp and discuss which treatments are suitable, from medication and PRP to hair transplantation.
Read about Counteract and slow hair loss →
Hair loss in women
Women are also affected by hair loss, but the pattern often differs from men's. The hair usually thins so that the scalp becomes more visible on the top of the crown, while the hairline is preserved. Hormonal changes, iron deficiency, thyroid problems or conditions such as PCOS are common underlying factors.
Thinner hair and a wider parting
The hair becomes sparser over the crown rather than in distinct bald patches. Many first notice the change at the parting or in bright light.
Read about Thinner hair and a wider parting →Hormonal shifts
Pregnancy, breastfeeding and menopause can affect the growth cycle of the hair follicles so that more hairs enter the resting phase and fall out.
Read about Hormonal shifts →Iron deficiency and stress
If you are losing a lot of hair without a clear explanation, blood tests may be needed. We examine your scalp and go through the possible causes together with you.
Read about Iron deficiency and stress →
Different types of hair loss
Hair loss can present in different ways: the hair may become thinner, bald patches may appear, or the hair may disappear completely from parts of the scalp. It usually happens gradually, but with illness, infection or trauma it can progress faster. In many cases there is treatment that can slow the hair loss or stimulate new hair growth if action is taken in time.
Hereditary hair loss (androgenetic alopecia)
The most common form in men and women. Caused by genetic predisposition and androgen sensitivity: the hormone DHT weakens the hair follicles so that the hair becomes thinner until it stops growing.
- •Receding hairline
- •Sparser hair on the crown
- •Usually develops gradually
Patchy hair loss (alopecia areata)
A hair disease in which the immune system attacks the hair follicles, causing round or irregular bald patches. Can affect the scalp, eyebrows or beard and requires medical assessment.
- •Bald patches on the scalp
- •Can spread
- •Treatment available in many cases
Temporary hair loss (telogen effluvium)
After stress, illness, surgery or pregnancy, many hair follicles can enter the resting phase at the same time. The hair thins evenly across the scalp and the change is often only noticed months after the triggering event.
- •More hair when washing or brushing
- •Common after stress
- •Often reversible
Traction alopecia
Repeated pulling from tight hairstyles, hairpieces or extensions strains the hair follicles. If the habit continues, the hair loss can become permanent.
- •Thinner hair at the temples
- •Common with hairpieces
- •Can be prevented
Scalp and hair diseases
Eczema, flaking, scalp fungus or inflammation can affect hair growth locally. Scarring alopecia leaves permanent damage and requires prompt investigation.
- •Itchy or irritated scalp
- •Scalp fungus
- •Scarring alopecia
First signs of hair loss
Losing hair can be distressing, especially if you do not understand why. Here are common ways hair loss begins, whether you are a man or a woman.
Receding hairline (more common in men)
The temples recede and the hairline gradually moves back and up. Sometimes this is followed by a bald patch on the crown.
Read about Receding hairline (more common in men) →Thinning on the crown (more common in women)
The scalp becomes more visible, particularly on the top of the crown, while the hairline is usually preserved.
Read about Thinning on the crown (more common in women) →Patchy hair loss
Round or irregular bald patches on the scalp, in the beard or in the eyebrows may indicate alopecia areata.
Read about Patchy hair loss →Sudden hair shedding
Large amounts of hair when washing or brushing after stress, illness or trauma. Often telogen effluvium.
Read about Sudden hair shedding →Hair snaps or breaks
Hair damaged by heat tools or chemical treatments results in thinner hair without the hair follicle necessarily being affected.
Read about Hair snaps or breaks →Pronounced hair loss across the whole head
Can occur with certain illnesses or medical treatments and should always be investigated by a doctor.
Why do we lose hair?
What might be the cause if you are losing a lot of hair? If you notice that you are losing more hair than usual, that hair comes out when you pull on it, or that the amount has suddenly increased, there can be several explanations. Here are the most common causes we investigate at the clinic.
Hereditary hair loss
- Androgenetic alopecia is caused by genetic predisposition and sensitivity to the hormone DHT.
- Appears as gradual thinning, a receding hairline and/or sparser hair on the crown.
- Can begin as early as the 20s or 30s in both men and women.
Illness
- Alopecia areata and other hair diseases can cause patchy or widespread hair loss.
- Diabetes, thyroid disorders and iron deficiency affect the supply of nutrients to the hair roots.
- Infections and certain autoimmune conditions can disrupt the function of the hair follicles.
Nutritional deficiency
- Vitamin and mineral deficiencies, particularly iron, zinc and protein, can make hair thinner.
- When deficient, the hair follicles do not get enough nutrients and more hairs can enter the resting phase.
- Commonly investigated in diffuse hair loss in women without a clear pattern.
Hormonal causes
- Hormonal changes during puberty, pregnancy, after childbirth and during menopause affect hair growth.
- PCOS and thyroid problems can cause pronounced hair loss in women.
- When the hormonal balance is disturbed, more hairs enter the resting phase and fall out.
Stress
- Prolonged physical or psychological strain is a common reason for losing hair.
- Many hair follicles enter the resting phase, and the change is often only noticed a few months later.
- The hair then usually thins evenly across the whole scalp.
Common risk factors
- 1Heredity: hair loss in the family increases the risk of androgenetic alopecia.
- 2Age: gradual thinning becomes more common with age.
- 3Hormonal shifts during pregnancy, breastfeeding and menopause.
- 4Iron, vitamin and protein deficiencies.
- 5Prolonged stress and a heavy workload.
- 6Conditions such as diabetes, PCOS and thyroid disorders.
- 7Medication and certain medical treatments.
When should you seek care for hair loss?
You do not need to wait until the hair loss has become pronounced. A free consultation is a good first step if you are unsure why you are losing hair.
You are losing more hair than usual
If the amount has clearly increased, for example when washing, brushing or on your pillow, hormonal changes, nutritional deficiencies or illness may be the cause.
Hair comes out when you pull on it
A sudden change or a tender scalp should be assessed to rule out inflammation, autoimmunity or infection.
Bald patches or scalp irritation
Round bald patches, eczema or an itchy scalp require medical investigation. The earlier, the better the treatment options.
No improvement after a few months
Temporary hair loss after stress or illness should stabilise. Persistent thinning needs a plan to counteract further hair loss.
Can hair loss be counteracted?
Hereditary hair loss cannot always be stopped completely, but you can often slow its progression. With temporary hair loss, simple lifestyle changes can make a big difference.
- ●Make sure your diet provides enough protein, iron and vitamins.
- ●Avoid hairstyles that pull tightly on the scalp for long periods.
- ●Be careful with heat, bleaching and harsh chemicals.
- ●Prioritise recovery if you have been under prolonged stress.
- ●Seek medical advice for an itchy scalp, patches or a sudden increase in hair loss.
Treatment of hair loss
The choice of treatment depends on the cause, how far the hair loss has progressed and your goals. We examine your hair and scalp and go through the options available to counteract your particular hair loss, from medical treatment and PRP to hair transplantation.
Overview: results, cost and recovery
Hair transplantation
- Result
- Permanent new hair growth
- Cost
- Individual quote
- Recovery
- 10 days
PRP treatment
- Result
- Stimulates existing hair follicles
- Cost
- Lower than surgery
- Recovery
- Minimal, same day
Medication (e.g. finasteride)
- Result
- Often slows progression
- Cost
- Ongoing cost
- Recovery
- No recovery
Tricho Pigmentation
- Result
- Visual densification
- Cost
- Moderate
- Recovery
- A few days
Indication by type of hair loss
Hair transplantation
- Alopecia areata
- –
- Telogen effluvium
- –
- Male pattern
- ✓
- Female pattern
- ✓
PRP treatment
- Alopecia areata
- –
- Telogen effluvium
- ✓
- Male pattern
- ✓
- Female pattern
- ✓
Finasteride
- Alopecia areata
- –
- Telogen effluvium
- –
- Male pattern
- ✓
- Female pattern
- –
Tricho Pigmentation
- Alopecia areata
- –
- Telogen effluvium
- –
- Male pattern
- ✓
- Female pattern
- ✓
Medical investigation
- Alopecia areata
- ✓
- Telogen effluvium
- ✓
- Male pattern
- ✓
- Female pattern
- ✓
Treatments at Akacia Medical
Hair transplantation
When the hair follicles have permanently stopped growing, transplantation can give lasting results in stable androgenetic alopecia.
PRP for hair loss
Can stimulate the scalp environment and strengthen existing hair follicles in early or moderate hair loss.
Medical investigation
We map your scalp, go through your history and decide whether blood tests are needed.
Slow hair loss
Practical advice and treatments to counteract further thinning at an early stage.
Counteract your hair loss: start with a free consultation
Unsure whether you have hereditary hair loss, stress-related hair loss or patchy hair loss? We examine your hair and scalp and go through the options that suit you.
Results from hair loss treatment
See all results
