Hair Loss Awareness Month – Why It Matters

Hair loss has been an issue for a long time. The introduction of wigs in society is a sign of people affected by the condition and responding to how it makes them feel, and many treatments from head massages, oils to standing on your head were discussed as a way of trying to resolve the problem. Thankfully, we are now more open about hair loss and by relying on science we also have a greater understanding as well as a wider range of treatments for conditions.

This is why celebrating hair loss awareness month is so important.

With more evidence and more treatments available, there is also more and more products on sale. Some of these build on people’s fears and offer ‘miracle cures’. So our priority for Hair Loss Awareness Month is education and helping people understand what is happening to their hair. There are different causes of hair loss, many can be a temporary issue caused by external factors such as stress, or the issue can be much more complex. Genetic testing has also been helpful for certain conditions using science to provide personalised treatments. Want to read more about genetic testing? Read our article here.

That is why being supported by an expert trichologist is important so you get a diagnosis and are informed of what your condition is and what options you can consider for treatment.

“ A person centred approach to addressing your hair loss condition ensures you have choice which is always our aim.”

Want to understand how trichologists can help you? Read our article here.

What kind of hair loss conditions are there?

Let’s consider a couple of the most common conditions that affect us.

Telegon Effluvium

Telogen effluvium is the name given for a form of hair thinning that is often reversible and a temporary condition due to an increased release of telogen hairs. Many people of all ages, sexes, and ethnicities experience Telogen Effluvium. This is because there are many common triggers for the onset. Infections, for example, are a known trigger for Telogen Effluvium, and there are increasingly more cases related to a Covid infection. In one study, over 24% of patients experienced Telogen Effluvium following a Covid-19 infection.

Excessive hair shedding occurs approximately three months after the triggering event. This may produce hair thinning over the scalp, commonly in bitemporal recession areas. Scalp scarring and inflammation are not present. The hair pull test is positive for telogen effluvium.

Male Pattern Hair Loss (MPHL)

Male pattern hair loss (MPHL) is also known as androgenetic alopecia (AGA). This condition is considered to be the most common type of hair loss in men, and the severity of progress can vary from person to person. It is considered a hormonally driven condition with a strong genetic susceptibility.

One study shows that the proportion of males with MPHL increases with age, with 16% of men aged 18-29 experiencing this condition rising to 53% of men aged 40-49.

The first hair transplant surgery was undertaken in 1939 in Japan, and since then hair grafts have been perfected as a technique, and is most popular with men from age 25 onwards. Trichologists work with men with hair surgeons as part of a holistic treatment plan and we have successfully referred many men whose condition can benefit from a transplant.  

Want to know if hair transplant surgery is safe? Read our article here.

What to do if you are concerned about hair loss

• Don’t be silent. Talk to your hairdresser and ask their honest opinion of any perception of hair loss.
• Don’t rely on Dr Google. Information can be really helpful but self-diagnosis can lead to more worries or treating the wrong condition.
• Talk to your GP, dermatologist or trichologist to put your mind at rest.

Our trichologists can be booked and seen within 48 hours from the comfort of your home. Our online hair loss consultations are followed by a detailed report explains what is happening to your hair and outlines recommendations. We have a pharmaceutical partner for prescriptions and we have a network of clinics and referral partners so whether you need a scalp lotion, steroid injections or a hair replacement system we can help navigate your hair loss together.

Want to know what to expect from an online hair consultation? Read our article here.

Keep talking about hair loss beyond Hair Loss Awareness Month, and book a consultation if you have any concerns about hair loss, even if you don’t feel it is too serious right now. We can help – book your online trichology consultation now.

Want to speak to someone before you book? Email us and we will arrange a telephone call at a time convenient.