For many women and men, hair loss is part of the normal ageing process. For some, hair loss can indicate a serious medical condition. There are many treatments available to help you slow down the progression of hair loss and encourage partial growth.

The majority of people lose between 50 and 100 hairs per day without even noticing. It is because every hair follicle has cycles of rest and growth. Some follicles produce new hair, while others stop producing hair or regress. When a hair-follicle stops, it drops out and is replaced with scar tissue. A hair follicle normally produces for two to six years before entering a permanent resting cycle. The hair follicle can stop growing if the cycle is disturbed or there is excessive scar tissue.
Hair loss in patterns

Hereditary pattern baldness is the most common form of hair loss in men and women. This type of hair loss usually begins in early adulthood, and is caused due to hormonal changes. The hairline recedes in men while it thins out all over the head for women.

Other causes include medical conditions such as alopecia areata (al-o-PEEsheuh ar-eeAtuh), an immune system disorder that causes patchy hair loss, scalp infections like ringworm, and trichotillomania (trik o til MAYneeuh), which involves compulsive hair pulling. Other causes include medical conditions such as alopecia areata (al-o-PEE-she-uh ar-ee-A-tuh), which is an immune system disorder that causes patchy hair loss, scalp infections like ringworm, and a psychiatric disorder called trichotillomania (trik-o-til-o-MAY-nee-uh), which involves compulsive hair pulling. Hair loss can be caused by medications, including chemotherapy drugs.

If you’re concerned about hair loss, especially if it occurs suddenly or is accompanied by another symptom, then you should consult your GP. Your GP will be able to diagnose the problem, and can refer you to a specialist for treatment.

Can you regrow hair?

Minoxidil (Rogaine), a topical treatment available over the counter, can promote hair growth and reduce loss of hair. This treatment reverses the effects of DHT in hair follicles. It can be used daily on the scalp.

A more invasive procedure is the FUE or FUT hair transplant. In FUT, the surgeon will remove a strip from the scalp’s back where there are still many hairs and insert it in the area that is losing hair. A surgeon uses a special tool to transplant hair follicles into the balding areas of the head.

Finasteride or dutasteride are used to promote hair growth in some people undergoing a transplant. Some patients will also be prescribed antifungal medication to stop the immune system attacking healthy hair follicles. They may also receive spironolactone, oestrogen, or spironolactone for women who are premenopausal or postmenopausal. Doctors may prescribe a low level steroid in some cases to reduce inflammation.