Hair thinning and loss are common and usually harmless, most often linked to genetics (male and female pattern baldness), ageing, hormonal changes, stress, or as a temporary side effect after illness, pregnancy or certain medications. Greying hair is simply a normal part of ageing, as pigment-producing cells in the hair follicle gradually become less active.
Treatments exist for pattern hair loss, but effectiveness varies and results take months to show, so it's worth discussing options with a pharmacist or GP rather than relying on unproven products. Sudden, patchy or unusual hair loss is worth getting checked by a GP, as it can occasionally point to an underlying health condition.
Common questions
What usually causes hair thinning or loss?
Most often genetics, ageing, hormonal changes, stress, or a temporary side effect after illness, pregnancy or certain medications.
When should hair loss be checked by a GP?
If it is sudden, patchy or unusual, as it can occasionally point to an underlying health condition.