If you are experiencing sudden and significant hair loss, it is likely to have been caused by an interruption to the normal growth cycle of your hair.

Hair follicles go through three stages – growth (the anagen phase), transitional (the catagen phase) and a period of rest (the telogen phase). The anagen phase normally lasts between four to six years, before resting for just a few months.

If the follicles experience too short a growth phase or enter telogen early, this can cause massive shedding or thinning of hair. But what causes this interruption to the normal growth cycle? The most commonly known triggers include:

• Sudden hormonal changes such as those which occur after childbirth
• Acute physical, psychological or even surgical trauma
• Diseases such as lupus and diabetes
• Chemotherapy and radiotherapy
• Burns
• Severe and sudden change to diet
• Thyroid problems
• Certain medications, such as some birth control pills, medication for blood pressure and anti-depressants
• High fever

If you believe that any of the above is causing your hair to fall out, the most important thing to do is to see your doctor, dermatologist or trichologist for a formal diagnosis.

Alopecia areata is the name given to an autoimmune skin disease which results in loss of hair. The first signs are usually fairly small smooth patches on one’s scalp. Over time, these can develop into total hair loss.

It is estimated that around two per cent of people suffer from alopecia areata to some degree, meaning it is quite a common problem. Troublingly for sufferers, progress is unpredictable and often occurs in cycles. This means that a period of hair regrowth can be followed by another bout of loss, which can prove extremely dispiriting.

However, it is also worth noting that in all forms of alopecia areata, hair follicles remain alive, meaning the return of normal hair production is always possible. Hair might regrow even without treatment and even if the sufferer has not had hair for many years.

Alopecia is generally classified into one of three types. Alopecia areata is the most common and this is the form where hair loss is patchy. Alopecia areata totalis refers to cases where all the hair on the scalp is lost. Finally, Alopecia totalis is the term used when all hair is lost on both the scalp and the body.

If you believe that you are suffering from more hair loss than might be considered normal, you will most likely want to have the cause diagnosed. The first step in this process is always to consult your GP.

Your doctor may be able to diagnose the problem there and then, but in many cases you will be referred to a dermatologist or trichologist. Waiting lists vary and for many people any kind of a wait can prove excruciating as they are distressed and eager for advice. In these instances, you can always book a private appointment.

A qualified trichologist specialises in hair and the scalp and will be well placed to deduce what is happening with your hair. You can expect consultations to last about an hour, after which the Trichologist will hopefully be able to offer you advice or potential treatments.

Unfortunately, not every form of hair loss is easily treatable and you may find yourself confronting a situation where you are likely to lose a substantial amount of hair from your head. If this is the case, there are hair loss management options available to you, including hair replacements and other methods.

As a woman, losing your hair can be devastating to your self-esteem and your confidence in your looks. However, there are products and solutions available nowadays to allow you to manage your hair loss, whether you want to cover it up or not. These solutions are designed to help you feel like yourself again, until your hair begins to grow back.

There are two main types of non-surgical hair replacement solutions available for female hair loss sufferers – human hair wigs or hair replacement treatments involving hair extensions. The benefits of both of these solutions are detailed below.

Human hair wigs

Human hair wigs have come a long way in the last few years. From ridiculous, artificial-looking hair pieces that were obviously not the wearer’s natural hair, these wigs have become natural-looking, comfortable and secure to wear. They are also customisable and available in a vast range of styles, colours and hair thicknesses, so that the wearer can find something that suits them perfectly.

Hair replacement treatments

These treatments don’t just involve normal hair extensions (which often look fake and tacky); they use natural-looking, fine extensions designed to blend into existing hair to thicken it and cover bald patches. The benefit of these solutions is that you don’t have to put them on and off every day, so you can wash and style your hair as normal and generally just get on with your life.

If you have noticed that your hair is thinning or falling out more than usual, it is likely that you have a female hair loss condition. This may be temporary, but you still need to get it checked out by a professional.

Getting a formal diagnosis is also important for your peace of mind, as gaining proper, well-informed knowledge of your condition can help to alleviate some of your worry, stress and panic.

There are three routes you can choose to ensure your condition is properly diagnosed and treated, although you can opt for all of them.

See your GP

Your doctor should be your first port of call if you think you have a hair loss condition. Your GP may be able to identify the condition or refer you to a specialist dermatologist, as well as taking down most of the important information about symptoms, rate of hair loss etc.

See a dermatologist

Dermatologists are experts in skin disorders, and should be able to give you the very best advice, information and treatment. You can be referred to a dermatologist by your GP or visit one as a private patient.

See a trichologist

Whilst a dermatologist deals with skin disorders, a trichologist is a hair loss specialist who will be able to advise you appropriately on how to treat your condition.

Most forms of alopecia and other hair loss conditions are temporary, although there is never any guarantee that the hair will grow back. In some cases it takes months and grows back on its own, whilst in others it takes years and a whole heap of different treatments. Only your doctor or trichologist can advise you on how your particular hair loss condition will affect you, and for how long.

In one rare and fairly aggressive condition, however, the hair will never grow back. This is a very difficult fact for sufferers to deal with.

The condition is called cicatricial alopecia, a term referring to a group of rare hair loss disorders in which the hair follicles are destroyed and replaced with scar tissue. For some people, the hair loss will be gradual. For others, it will be rapid, as well as itchy and painful.

There are two main types of cicatricial alopecia – primary conditions in which follicles are destroyed by an inflammatory process, and secondary disorders in which the destruction is caused by an infection, burn, tumour or other injury.

Diagnosis and treatment

Cicatricial alopecia can be identified by a trichologist following a scalp biopsy and evaluation, which may include a hair pull test. This should lead to a formal diagnosis. Treatment of the condition, depending on the variety, is complex and varies from case to case. However, the hair is not likely to grow back.
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