Hair loss is one of the most challenging things to deal with, as it affects the confidence and well-being of an individual. However, since a little bit of daily hair loss is normal, you might not always recognise the sign of alopecia, the medical term for baldness and severe hair loss.
According to our friends at HairLossRevolution, a receding hairline effects ⅔ of the male population. So, what happens if you lose more and can’t seem to grow it back? When do you know you are dealing with alopecia?
Here are 4 signs that you are losing your hair, causing both female hair loss and male hair loss.
1. THINNING HAIR
Thinning hair is a cause for alarm, especially for hair loss in women. However, this sign is very difficult to identify, as with age and styling, hair could become thinner even without a serious condition, such as alopecia. So, how do you know if your thinning hair is a real concern? Here are the unique signs of baldness:
- thinning hair mainly around the crown area
- a significant increase in broken hair (you can monitor it by looking at hair left in the brush)
- need to constantly add another loop when tying the hair up
- a significant increase of hairs on the bathroom tub, floor, and the pillow
2. RECEDING HAIRLINE
A receding hairline is one of the most common signs of male hair loss. It’s also accompanied by thinning hair around the crown and temple area. You can also identify hair loss in men by the horseshoe shape it leaves around the sides and back of the head. If you are experiencing any of these signs and also have a family history of baldness in men, contact a specialist immediately.
3. BALD PATCHES
Bald patches are one of the most obvious signs of alopecia. In men and women with short hair, this is clearly identified by bald (or almost bald) patches on the scalp. However, women with long hair might identify this as clumps of broken hair during washing or brushing, which will progress into bald patches. For women, this might also show as bald patches or incomplete hair loss around the eyebrows. Men usually get these bald spots around the forehead, which is often due to hereditary hair loss.
4. HAIR LOSS ON OTHER PARTS OF THE BODY
Some types of alopecia affect other parts of the body such as eyebrows, the beard, eyelashes or even all of the body hair (known as alopecia universal). You can easily identify this type of hair loss by either bald patches on the areas mentioned or complete hair loss.
WHAT SHOULD YOU DO IF YOU SEE SIGNS OF HAIR LOSS?
If you notice any of the signs above, contact a specialist immediately. A correct diagnosis will help you to seek appropriate treatment. According to the NHS, the most common types of alopecia for men and women of all ages in Britain, include:
- alopecia areata
- scarring alopecia
- male baldness
- female baldness
- anagen effluvium
- telogen effluvium
Although hair loss is a common symptom of ageing, and most of the serious cases of baldness come from hereditary genes, there can be underlying medical conditions behind this condition. Treatment would depend on the type of hair loss that you are experiencing and what’s causing it.
WHO CAN YOU CONTACT ABOUT HAIR LOSS?
As the first point of contact, you can always visit your local GP. However, after a first diagnosis, you will need to seek treatment from a private skin care professional.
Hair Repair Clinic is an independent clinic, specialising in male hair loss and female hair loss. When you contact Hair Repair Clinic, you speak directly to a surgeon, rather than a sales person. This way you can get professional advice on the 3 services that Hair Repair Clinic offer:
- Hair loss medication
- Nonsurgical procedures
- Hair transplants
With hair loss clinics in Manchester, Liverpool, Chester, Sheffield, Nottingham and London, Hair Repair Clinic are able to help thousands of patients regain their confidence and well-being through innovative and professional hair loss treatment.
To see before and after pictures and read client testimonials for Hair Repair Clinic here. To get in touch with one of the surgeons, email enquiries@hairrepairclinic.co.uk or contact the Hair Repair Clinic directly on 0800 6990209.
Visit HairLossRevolution for a detailed guide on How To Tell If You Have A Receding Hairline – & What To Do About It!