The only permanent method that offers guarantees that you will recover your hair is transplantation. A correctly performed procedure should ensure natural results that are undetectable even to hair stylists. Using this method, hair can be restored to the scalp, hairline and even to eyebrows, eyelashes etc. It is even possibly to create hair growth in scar tissue.

The most sophisticated form of hair transplantation is ultra-refined follicular unit transplantation. In this process, hair roots are taken from the back or side of the head where hair is growing and these are then positioned in balding areas. Good results can be seen after only one session with natural-looking, dense hair growing. Furthermore, you are allowed to go home just half an hour after your treatment session has finished.

When treating the hairline, individual hairs are placed to grow in the same direction as the natural hair. This ensures the best results and is therefore virtually undetectable. This is a longer process. Hair treatment sessions can last up to eight hours depending on the number of hairs being transplanted.

People undergoing this treatment may experience slight discomfort when the anaesthetic is initially applied, but after that the hair transplantation itself is painless. After treatment, it takes around three or four months before new hair grows, but from then on, the hair grows as normal.

Trichotillomania is characterised by the urge to pull out your own hair. Many find the impulse hard to resist and it can lead to extensive hair loss. It is now thought to affect around two per cent of the population at some time or other and so is by no means rare. The majority of sufferers are female.

Symptoms of trichotillomania

Firstly and most obviously is the urge to pull hair. If you find it hard to resist the urge to pull hair, even when you don’t want to, you are likely to be suffering from trichotillomania. Frequent pulling will lead to visible hair loss.

Suffers report feeling a rise in tension building up to pulling and they may even try to stop themselves. They will then feel a sense of relief when they actually pull, although this is often quickly followed by guilt or regret. People generally know that they shouldn’t be doing it, but can’t help themselves.

Triggers

There are several, recognised triggers for hair pulling. If you find yourself looking for thicker hairs, those that are more coarse, or those that you consider ‘wrong’ this is likely to presage a bout of hair pulling. Similarly, looking for hairs of an unwanted colour may also be a trigger. Many people continually pull until one particular hair has gone.

Many people who suffer from compulsive hair-pulling, trichotillomania, do so in secret, embarrassed and feeling like they cannot be helped. The truth is that trichotillomania is not an uncommon condition and there are now recognised forms of treatment that have proven effective.

It is estimated that around one in 50 people is affected by trichotillomania at some point in their life. It is more common in females, becoming around five to ten times more likely in 12- and 13-year-old girls than in boys the same age. In terms of those seeking help, 12 times as many women as men look for treatment, although this may not reflect the exact proportions of sufferers as the feelings of shame and embarrassment may affect men and women differently.

The extent to which trichotillomania affects people varies. It might just be a few minutes compulsively attempting to pluck one particular hair or it might be a period of hours, where the sufferer pulls out almost all of it, despite battling the compulsion.

It is possible that there is a genetic cause for the condition, but research indicates that it is likely to be caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain as certain anti-depressants can counteract it.

One of the most successful approaches for dealing with trichotillomania is the use of cognitive behavioural therapy. A therapist can teach the sufferer mental tactics to cope with the compulsion and ways to identify the triggers before a bout takes hold.

Alopecia areata
This is quite a well-known cause of female hair loss due to the fact that several well-known women who have suffered have spoken about their experience, highlighting the symptoms and impact of the condition. It is thought that likely that alopecia areata affects those with a genetic predisposition towards it, being triggered either through stress or a certain pathogen.

Trichotillomania
This is a psychological condition where the sufferer has a hair-pulling compulsion. It is ordinarily head hair that is pulled. It is thought that as many as two per cent of people are affected by this at some stage in their life. It is far more likely to affect women than men.

Telogen effluvium
With this condition, hair is lost in the wake of emotional or physical trauma, often in times of extreme stress. Essentially, the hair’s growth cycle is interrupted, causing hair to thin. It can be triggered by any stressful event, by childbirth, because of eating disorders and can also happen after major surgery.

Whatever you suspect may be the cause of your hair loss, it is important to get it properly diagnosed before attempting to get treatment. Consult your GP who may then refer you to a consultant dermatologist.

Alopecia areata, which is sometimes known as ‘spot baldness’ is a common cause of hair loss. It can affect any part of the body, but is most commonly seen to affect head hair. It generally only affects patches, but in around one or two per cent of cases, it will spread further.

Patches affected by alopecia areata are generally round, but can take any shape. Sometimes affected areas may prove a touch painful or can tingle slightly. Hairs in an affected region may be narrower near the scalp, tapering where growth is newest.

Alopecia areata is not a contagious condition, rather it seems likely that some people are genetically predisposed to it, as cases are more likely if family members have also suffered. It is an autoimmune disorder, meaning that the immune system is actually attacking the hair follicles, affecting and even preventing the growth of hair. The actual trigger for the condition is not known, although it is suspected to be related to emotional stress or some sort of germ.

If you start to lose hair, it is important that the first step you take is to see your GP who will most likely refer you to a consultant dermatologist. You can also arrange to see a consultant dermatologist directly. Make sure you see a qualified medical professional who will act in your best interests and will give you the best advice.

Losing hair can be a distressing experience, whether it is gradual or relatively sudden. Unfortunately, there are many unverified miracle cures out there, so it can be hard to know where to turn. The important thing is to turn to your GP first of all.

We all lose hair, but if you notice that you are losing more than you would ordinarily expect, it is perhaps time to speak to your GP. They will investigate and diagnose and will hopefully be able to identify the cause, at which point you can consider what your next step should be.

Quite often, your GP will refer you to a dermatologist. While dermatology is primarily concerned with the skin, this branch of medicine does include hair, because the hair follicles reside in the skin. It is also possible to contact a consultant dermatologist directly without referral from your GP.

By speaking with an NHS consultant dermatologist, you can be sure that you are getting the best and impartial advice. NHS practitioners are governed by the General Medical Council and are therefore duty-bound to act in your best interests.