Male Pattern Hair Loss
Prevalence by Age Group
Male pattern baldness shows a clear age-related progression in UK populations. According to NHS GP practices, approximately 6.5 million British men suffer from male pattern baldness. Androgenetic alopecia affects 30-50% of men by age 50, according to research.
31% of men between the ages of 40 and 55 and 53% of men between the ages of 65 and 69 had moderate to extensive hair loss, according to a community survey.
More concerning for younger men, a study of men aged 18 to 49 in the United States found that 42% of participants had moderate to extensive hair loss, with the prevalence rising from 16% among those aged 18 to 29 to 53% among those aged 40 to 49.
Onset and Progression
The majority of men develop pattern baldness between the ages of 20 and 30, typically manifesting as thinning or recession at the crown or temples.
Genetic factors play a significant role in determining the rate of progression, which varies greatly from person to person. The majority of men with the condition will experience hair loss over a long period of time, though some may experience rapid hair loss in just a few years.
Female Hair Loss
Prevalence Statistics
According to data from the Institute of Trichologists, approximately 8 million women in the UK suffer from female pattern hair loss. A 377-woman study at a British dermatology clinic found that 6% of women under 50 had female-pattern hair loss, and 38% of women 70 and older had it. The NHS confirms that around half of women aged 70+ develop female-pattern baldness.
Clinical studies show that around 40% of women show noticeable hair loss by the time they are 50, despite the fact that it is less obvious in younger women. This goes against the common belief that hair loss is more common in men.
Hormonal and Age Factors
Female hair loss has a stronger correlation with hormonal changes than male pattern baldness does. Prevalence rises after menopause, making menopause a significant trigger point.
Androgen sensitivity, declining oestrogen levels after menopause, and conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome all contribute to female hair loss. Instead of causing a receding hairline like men do, the hair loss typically affects the part line and top of the head.
Autoimmune Hair Loss
Alopecia Areata Incidence
Over the course of a decade (2009-2018), 6,675 new cases of alopecia areata were discovered in a comprehensive UK primary care database analysis of 4.1 million patient records. A rate of 0.26 cases per 1,000 person-years is the result of this.
At the end of 2018, the same study found a point prevalence of 0.58 percent, or approximately 400,000 affected individuals in the UK. This is significantly higher than the often-quoted figure of 1 in 500 adults (0.2%).
Demographics and Risk Factors
Alopecia areata prevalence was significantly higher in urban and socioeconomically disadvantaged areas, according to the UK study. Non-white populations, particularly individuals of Asian ethnicity, were disproportionately affected.
The psychological effect is significant. A population-based cohort study conducted in the UK in 2022 revealed that individuals with alopecia areata were 30-38% more likely to experience new-onset depression or anxiety. They also had a 56% higher risk of taking time off work and 82% greater risk of unemployment compared to matched controls.
Other Types of Hair Loss
Telogen Effluvium
Telogen effluvium is a reversible, diffuse shedding of hair that can be brought on by stress, changes in hormones, or medications. During this condition, up to 70% of anagen (growth phase) hairs can change to telogen (resting phase) instead of the usual 14%.
Among the UK population’s common triggers are:
- Hormonal changes one to five months after childbirth
- Severe illness or surgery (including COVID-19)
- Crash dieting or malnutrition
- Modifications to medications (retinoids, anticoagulants, and antidepressants)
While no population-wide UK incidence is published, telogen effluvium is considered common and is often self-limited, typically resolving within 6-9 months after the trigger is removed.
Traction Alopecia
Traction alopecia results from chronic tension on hair follicles, often due to tight hairstyles. Although it is uncommon in the general population of the UK, people of African descent are disproportionately affected.
A South African population study reported that 31.7% of adult women and 17.1% of schoolgirls had traction alopecia. A Sudanese survey revealed rates that were comparable, with 25% of adult women affected. In the UK, traction alopecia is primarily seen in Black women.
Trichologists emphasize that this disparity is caused by social pressure to alter natural hair, chemical relaxers, and a lack of education about afro-hair care.