Do you really know?

Can I prevent hair loss?

Jan 26, 2025

Discover the surprising statistics about hair loss affecting both men and women. Learn about the daily shedding of hair follicles and the natural causes behind it. Explore temporary triggers like iron deficiency and stress. Delve into clinical treatments, hair transplants, and their potential effectiveness and costs. Plus, uncover whether hair loss is mostly hereditary and ways to combat it!

04:45

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Quick takeaways

Hair loss impacts a large portion of both genders, with hereditary factors and hormonal changes being significant contributors to the condition.

Limited treatment options like minoxidil and finasteride exist, but emerging research on lab-grown hair follicles may provide future solutions for hair restoration.

Deep dives

Understanding Hair Loss Prevalence

Hair loss affects a significant portion of both men and women, with research indicating that about two-thirds of men experience male pattern baldness at some point in their lives, while approximately 50% of women also suffer from noticeable hair loss. This phenomenon is tied to various factors, including genetics and hormonal changes, with androgenetic alopecia being the most common cause in men. Interestingly, hair loss can begin as early as puberty for some men due to a genetic predisposition to the hormone dihydrotestosterone. For women, the condition often manifests as general thinning and typically becomes more prevalent after menopause due to shifts in hormone levels and iron deficiency, highlighting the need for awareness and understanding of hair health across genders.

Understanding Hair Loss: Causes, Treatments, and Trends

5min

According to UK charity The Men’s Health Forum, two thirds of all men are affected by male pattern baldness in their lifetime. That won’t be a surprise to anyone, but would you have guessed that an estimated 50% of women also experience noticeable hair loss according to the Cleveland Clinic.

We actually have around 100,000 hair follicles on our head, of which we lose between 50 and 100 every day, completely naturally. Hair loss isn’t usually any cause for real concern on its own, but of course it can be caused by cancer treatment. Even if a person’s health isn’t affected by their hair loss, It can still be an upsetting experience. Some types of hair loss are temporary. This can happen when a person has an iron deficiency, is stressed or loses weight suddenly due to a restrictive diet for example.

Isn’t hair loss mostly hereditary? Are there any ways of stopping it? What about hair transplants? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions!

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A podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance.

First broadcast: 24/2/2023

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