Hair loss affects approximately eight million women in the UK, with the condition becoming more prevalent with age, particularly around 50. While often associated with genetic predisposition, a consultant dermatologist highlights several other significant factors contributing to this trend.
Dr. Aamna Adel, an expert hair specialist, notes a range of reasons behind the increasing number of women experiencing hair loss. These include the side effects of weight-loss injections, stress, recent illnesses like COVID-19 and flu, hormonal fluctuations, vitamin deficiencies, and even hairstyles that repeatedly pull on the hair.
Weight-Loss Injections and Rapid Weight Loss
Weight-loss drugs, while beneficial for shedding pounds and improving metabolic health, can have hair loss as an unintended side effect. Dr. Adel clarifies that the issue is not the injection itself but the rapid weight loss it induces. During significant weight reduction, the body prioritizes essential organs, often at the expense of hair growth. Furthermore, these medications can reduce appetite, leading to lower intake of vital nutrients like protein, iron, and vitamin B12, all crucial for healthy hair. The body may interpret rapid weight loss as a state of starvation, diverting resources away from hair follicles.
The Impact of Stress
Stress is identified as a major contributor to hair loss. Elevated cortisol levels, a primary stress hormone, can affect various bodily functions, including hair growth. While not typically causing sudden baldness, chronic stress can lead to gradual thinning as more hairs enter the shedding phase of the growth cycle. Stress can also trigger flare-ups of alopecia areata, an autoimmune condition causing patchy hair loss.
Post-Illness Hair Shedding
Illnesses such as COVID-19 and influenza can also lead to hair loss, a condition known as telogen effluvium. This temporary form of hair loss is a response to the physical stress the body endures during illness. Viral infections, particularly those causing fever, can put the body under significant stress, leading to a higher-than-normal number of hairs entering the shedding phase. Some individuals report that their hair quality has not fully recovered after such illnesses.
Hormonal Changes
Hormonal shifts play a significant role in female hair loss throughout a woman's life. Declining estrogen and progesterone levels around menopause often lead to thinning hair. However, hormones like dihydrotestosterone (DHT) can affect hair density at any life stage. Elevated DHT levels or increased sensitivity to it can shorten the hair's growth phase, resulting in finer, thinner hairs over time, a process known as miniaturization. Hormonal imbalances, such as those seen in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), and postpartum hormonal drops after pregnancy also contribute to hair loss.
Nutritional Deficiencies
Vitamin deficiencies, particularly vitamin D, are linked to hair loss, as vitamin D is thought to play a role in hair follicle growth. Many individuals in the UK have insufficient levels, especially during autumn and spring. Deficiencies in iron, vitamin B12, and folate are also common causes, particularly for those with restrictive diets or heavy menstrual periods. Dr. Adel advises caution with supplements like biotin, noting that deficiencies are rare in developed countries and unnecessary supplementation can be harmful. Blood tests are recommended to confirm deficiencies before starting supplementation.
Hairstyles and Traction Alopecia
Certain hairstyles that involve consistent, tight pulling on the hair follicles can lead to traction alopecia. Styles like slicked-back buns or tight ponytails can stress the follicles, causing hair to fall out. While this condition is often reversible if the tight hairstyles are discontinued, prolonged and repeated stress can lead to scarring of the hair follicle and permanent hair loss.
Notable figures like Jada Pinkett Smith, who has alopecia areata, and Gail Porter, who lives with alopecia universalis, have brought public attention to the condition. TV presenter Melanie Sykes recently revealed she had lost two-thirds of her hair and showcased a shaved head, further highlighting the prevalence of hair loss among women.