Hair Loss (NHS)

Tier 1: Established: peer-reviewed research or government health authority
Publisher: National Health Service (UK) · Published: August 19, 2026 · Accessed: August 19, 2026

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Claims this source supports

• It's normal to lose between 50 and 100 hairs a day, often without noticing.
• Some types of hair loss are permanent, like male and female pattern baldness, which usually runs in the family.
• Other types of hair loss may be temporary, caused by illness, stress, cancer treatment, weight loss, or iron deficiency.
• See a GP if you're worried about your hair loss; the GP may be able to tell you what's causing it by looking at your hair.
• See a GP to get an idea about what's causing your hair loss before thinking about going to a commercial hair clinic.
• Most hair loss does not need treatment and is either temporary or a normal part of getting older; no treatment is 100% effective.
• Minoxidil can be used to treat female pattern baldness; women should not use finasteride.
• Permanent make-up (micropigmentation) is a tattoo used to look like short hair and eyebrows.