The Ultimate Guide to Hair Loss: from the best pillow material to the common bathroom product you should NEVER use, experts reveal how to stop the devastating process

The Ultimate Guide to Hair Loss: from the best pillow material to the common bathroom product you should NEVER use, experts reveal how to stop the devastating process By CHARLOTTE DOVEY Published: 02:12 BST, 30 March 2025 | Updated: 02:25 BST, 30 March 2025 e-mail 1 View comments Hair can symbolise youth, beauty or virility; it can also have religious and cultural connotations. It can be your ‘crowning glory’. And, on a more practical level, it protects against sunburn and keeps you warm.

So, when it starts to go, the effect is not to be underestimated. According to the NHS , 8 million women and around 6.5 million men in the UK experience hair loss of some sort.



Hair loss – or alopecia to give it its medical name – ‘can have a significant psychological impact’, says Dr Kerry Montgomery, a psychologist and advisor to Alopecia UK. ‘It can lead to low self-esteem and negative body image and people may experience anxiety and depression .’ What causes hair loss can vary.

Genetics can play a part, but sometimes it’s the result of an autoimmune condition, where the immune system attacks the body – in this case, the hair follicles, explains Dr Sharon Wong, a dermatologist based in London , and spokesperson for the British Association of Dermatologists. Stress can be a factor, too. The stress hormone cortisol can disrupt the hair growth cycle, so it sheds faster – it’s also thinner.

But high levels of hormones are the most common cause of hair loss in both men and women. What causes hair loss can vary. Genetics can play a part, but sometimes it’s the result of an autoimmune condition, explains Dr Sharon Wong of the British Association of Dermatologists ‘Whilst the hair loss may, for some, be only temporary, in other cases it can be permanent – a physical change that someone has to live with for the rest of their life,’ adds Dr Wong.

While some forms of hair loss are irreversible, others can be improved. In our latest essential health guide, we’ve teamed up with leading experts to find out the latest advice and treatments. How to treat your type of hair loss Alopecia comes in many different forms but, typically, they can be divided into scarring and non-scarring, says Dr Wong.

‘Scarring causes permanent hair loss due to the follicle being totally destroyed. Non-scarring leaves the follicles intact, so hair could potentially grow back. ‘There can be crossovers with the medication to treat them – all with the aim of either stabilising hair loss, thickening hair that is left or, in some cases, promoting new hair growth,’ she explains.

In all cases, the aim is always to catch it sooner rather than later, adds Dr Sophie Momen, a consultant dermatologist at Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospital in London. Here, we explain some of the more common causes of hair loss and how to treat them. Alopecia areata LOOKS LIKE: Coin-sized patches of hair loss on the scalp – also patches in the beard, body and eyebrows, and gaps in the eyelashes.

Sometimes people lose all of the hair on their scalp or their body. Affecting around 100,000 people in the UK, this can occur at any age and is caused by your immune system attacking the hair follicle, which leads to inflammation – the cause of the hair loss. What sparks it is not clear but, in around half of cases, the immune reaction ‘can be triggered by stress or ill health’, says Dr Wong.

‘Whilst there is no cure, the hair can grow back; although the more hair lost in the first place, the less likely this is to happen.’ What counts as normal? On average, there are around 120,000 hairs on a healthy head, but they’re not all at the same stage of growth, explains Anabel Kingsley, a trichologist at Philip Kingsley Clinics. Hair grows in four stages.

In the anagen, or the growing phase, the cells in the hair bulb, which is at the base of the follicle, rapidly divide and produce a hair – about 90 per cent of the hairs on your head are in this phase. In the next stage, the catagen or transition phase, the follicle shrinks and hair growth slows; this stage only lasts for around ten days and affects 1-3 per cent of the hairs. The telogen phase, or resting phase, affects about 10 per cent of your hairs and lasts around three months.

As the name suggests, the hair strand remains in the follicles and doesn’t tend to fall out. In the falling out, or exogen phase, which occurs any time from the start of the anagen phase, we usually lose up to 100 hairs a day – from start to finish a single healthy hair’s life is typically two to seven years. The cycle then starts all over again.

Advertisement There may, also, be further hair loss episodes. Treatments include corticosteroid creams to reduce inflammation or stronger steroid pills if the hair loss is more widespread. Newer treatments include drugs called JAK inhibitors, which also tackle the inflammation.

One of these, ritlecitinib, was the first approved treatment for severe hair loss on the NHS. It blocks the activity of JAK enzymes involved in immune function and inflammation. Not all patients will be suitable; those with heart conditions, for instance.

Additionally, there are side-effects – most commonly headaches, diarrhoea and acne. The drug minoxidil, which can be bought over-the-counter from the chemist (brand name Regaine), or as the prescription-only oral version, increases blood flow around the follicles and can help thicken remaining hair by keeping hair follicles in the growing phase for longer and restarting the growth phase of resting follicles. If the hair loss is more than 50 per cent of the scalp, DPCP (diphencyprone) may also help; available from specialist clinics in the NHS, it is applied to bald patches and acts like a ‘decoy’, creating a type of eczema to attract immune cells towards the rash and away from hair follicles.

The idea is to allow recovery of the follicle and regrowth of hair. Androgenetic alopecia (men) LOOKS LIKE: A receding hairline and sometimes hair loss from the top of the head. Possible thinning.

Also known as male-pattern baldness, this is the most common type of hair loss in men and is influenced by genes from both parents; it’s a myth that it’s inherited from the maternal side. It usually starts occurring between the ages of 20 to 25 and the rate increases with age. It’s driven by androgens, the male sex hormones, specifically raised levels of dihydrotestosterone (DHT), the active form of testosterone.

This leads to ‘miniaturisation’ of the hair follicle – essentially the growth phase of the hair follicle progressively shortens, so the hair that grows there becomes shorter and thinner, making the scalp more exposed over time. Topical minoxidil, liquid or foam, can help slow the loss by increasing blood flow to the follicles, stimulating them to enter the growth phase and lengthening it, which helps hair grow longer and thicker. ‘Oral finasteride and the more potent dutasteride can also help by lowering DHT levels,’ says Dr Wong.

‘However, it will need to be taken for life to maintain this,’ she adds. ‘There can also be a risk of side-effects such as reduced sex drive, erectile dysfuction and mood changes.’ According to the NHS, 8 million women and around 6.

5 million men in the UK experience hair loss of some sort Androgenetic alopecia (women) LOOKS LIKE: Thinning hair with middle parting becoming increasingly visible. More than 10 per cent of pre-menopausal women have some androgenetic alopecia – also known as female-pattern baldness – rising to 56 per cent of women over the age of 70. Genetics are involved, as are hormones: women also produce DHT and as levels of oestrogen decline during the menopause, this hormone has greater effect, leading to the follicles shrinking and eventually stopping the production of hair altogether.

Whilst it tends to progress fairly slowly, there is no cure. Topical minoxidil can help slow progression. If that doesn’t work, oral minoxidil can help, although this is not licensed for women, so some doctors won’t prescribe it.

‘This is a more consistent way of delivering the medication to the follicles as it can circumvent possible issues such as scalp irritation,’ says Dr Wong. ‘Additionally, some people have low levels of sulfotransferase enzyme in the scalp skin – needed to metabolise minoxidil – and taking the oral form can overcome this.’ Another anti-androgen, spironolactone, can help by blocking the effect of DHT, but this is only available on private prescription in the UK.

Finasteride or dutasteride, which lower DHT, may also help. These medications – including topical forms – aren’t generally recommended to pre-menopausal women due to potential disruption of the menstrual cycle and interference with the development of sex organs in male foetuses. Frontal fibrosing alopecia LOOKS LIKE: Frontal hairline progressively receding over time in an Alice-band fashion; can wrap around the entire hairline including the back of the scalp.

There may be hair loss from the eyebrows. Possible redness and flaky skin around hairs. Whilst occurring disproportionately in post-menopausal Caucasian females, it can also affect pre-menopausal women, men and those of other ethnicities.

It’s thought that the immune system and hormones play a role. Losing hair after a baby Post-partum hair loss is thought to affect around 40 to 50 per cent of women after childbirth. A form of telogen effluvium [see main copy], the hair loss tends to be a thinning all over the scalp and usually occurs around three to six months after giving birth, explains Dr Archana Rao, a consultant dermatologist at Kingston Hospital NHS Trust in Surrey.

It’s thought to occur as a result of dropping oestrogen levels. Hair loss can also affect women who have sadly gone through miscarriage and stillbirth. Other causes include nutritional deficiencies such as anaemia (a lack of iron, often due to blood loss or pregnancy).

Advertisement ‘As a scarring alopecia, follicles can be destroyed and replaced with scar tissue if the immune attack or inflammation are left untreated,’ says Dr Wong. ‘There’s no cure, so treatment aims to slow down or halt further hair loss. ‘Topical steroids can help reduce any inflammation, as can anti-biotics, such as doxycycline, and the drug hydroxychloroquine.

‘Immunosuppressant pills such as methotrexate can be offered if these others haven’t worked to stabilise the condition.’ Lichen planopilaris LOOKS LIKE: Patchy hair loss on the scalp (often sides, front and back); it can affect hair on body and face. Areas around base of hair follicle tend to be red and scaly.

Another autoimmune condition where the body mistakenly attacks hair follicles and is more common in women aged 40 to 60. To confirm the diagnosis a biopsy may be taken to test for the skin condition, lichen planus. ‘Topical and injectable steroids can help calm the inflammation,’ says Dr Momen.

An anti-malarial drug, called hydroxychloroquine, can also reduce inflammation. Traction alopecia L OOKS LIKE: Hair loss on areas that are pulled tightly in hairstyles such as ponytails or buns – typically the front, side and back of the scalp. May be unaffected shorter hairs within the patch, plus a line of longer hairs (known as the ‘fringe sign’) at the edge of the area not being affected by the traction.

As the name suggests it’s traction, or constant pulling on the hair, that causes this. The cause is most commonly tight hairstyles such as ponytails or buns, extensions, weaves or tight braids. It’s exacerbated when chemicals such as relaxers to straighten hair are also used.

It can usually be cured but it depends on how long the problem has been going on – sometimes the follicles have unfortunately been damaged permanently. The single most important treatment is to stop wearing the tight hairstyles. Thereafter, steroids (topical and injections) may help with any inflammation caused by the trauma and minoxidil may help stimulate growth.

Telogen effluvium LOOKS LIKE: Sudden, rapid hair loss from all over the scalp. Essentially this causes people to lose around 30 per cent more than the usual 100 hairs a day. There is no genetic link and it can affect anyone of any age; it tends to be triggered by stress, major life events or some sort of change to the body which can include sudden weight-loss and childbirth.

‘Diagnosis is confirmed with the hair-pull test,’ says Dr Momen. ‘If you gently pull on about 50 hairs, only five should come out –more than that isn’t normal.’ In 95 per cent of cases, the condition resolves and hair grows back.

The main treatment involves resolving the trigger issues. This could be a blood test to rule out any other possible causes. Could shampooing hair everyday make it fall out? Your scalp benefits from regular cleansing and ensuring it’s healthy and clean helps to maintain the integrity of hair follicles ‘There’s nothing wrong with washing your hair every day and I recommend not leaving more than three days between washes,’ says trichologist Anabel Kingsley.

‘Your scalp benefits from regular cleansing – just like your skin – and ensuring it’s healthy and clean helps to maintain the integrity of hair follicles.’ Those who think their hair self-cleanses are wrong. ‘No external part of your skin is self-cleansing – old oils break down and can inflame the scalp, plus dead skin cells can accumulate,’ she adds.

‘Numerous studies suggest that scalp flaking and inflammation can contribute to hair loss.’ Another myth is that shaving your facial hair can make it grow back thicker. In fact, shaving hair simply cuts the hair on the surface of the skin, and doesn’t affect the follicle which controls growth – this is located beneath the skin, says trichologist Deborah Maguire.

‘Shaving it short, however, is sensible as that protects the hair from being pulled and damaging the bulb.’ Simple tips and tricks to keep your locks healthy Even if you don’t suffer from hair loss, for a healthy head of hair you need specific nutrients. If these are in short supply and there are other parts of the body that need it first, the body takes priority; hair is the one thing that it can most afford to lose, explains Deborah Maguire, a trichologist in the Cotswolds.

‘The focus is protein, which hair is made of – the amino acids in protein are vital for hair growth and strength.’ The NHS recommends roughly 56g protein daily for men and 45g for women. It can be found in meat, as well as plant-based protein such as tofu or soya, says dietitian Emer Delaney.

‘B vitamins, particularly folic acid [vitamin B9] and vitamin B12, can also help with cell metabolism and ensuring blood flow to the scalp,’ she explains. Folic acid is found in foods such as lentils, citrus fruits, leafy green vegetables and eggs; B12 is in animal products such as meat, fish, eggs and dairy. Also, iron: ‘This is crucial for red blood cell formation which helps carry oxygen around the body,’ adds Emer Delaney.

‘If the hair follicles don’t have enough oxygen then they can’t replicate, which slows down hair growth.’ Iron is found in red meat, fortified breakfast cereals and green leafy vegetables. A gadget worth trying.

.. The £899 Theradome Pro LH80-80 Diode Laser Hair Therapy Helmet There are many at-home devices claiming to improve hair growth, but most are not supported by science or are simply weaker versions of in-clinic treatments, so their effectiveness is questionable.

But one that might work is Theradome Pro LH80-80 Diode Laser Hair Therapy Helmet (£899, theradomeforhairloss.co.uk), says Eva Proudman, a trichologist in Warwickshire.

Worn for 20 minutes, twice a week, the device emits laser light into the scalp and the maker says you may see changes in just three months. ‘Unlike other low-level laser therapy (LLLT) devices on the market, this one generates a wavelength of 680nm, so it penetrates deep enough to reach the dermal papilla of the follicle that stimulates growth,’ says Eva Proudman. ‘There have been some encouraging clinical studies which show LLLT can stimulate hair growth, but more are needed.

It can help with male and female-pattern baldness and alopecia areata [where the immune system attacks hair follicles]. But don’t be tempted to overuse it, as it works by stimulating the scalp and so may cause headaches.’ Advertisement These tips will help keep your hair healthy and strong: Sleep on a silk pillow The smoothness of the silk is gentler on the hair cuticle – the outer layer of the hair – meaning it’s less likely to tangle,’ says trichologist Anabel Kingsley.

When knotty hair is brushed it can lead to it breaking and looking thinner. Sleeping in a silk bonnet can help for the same reasons and leave hair easier to manage in the morning. Ditch the dry shampoo Whilst helpful once in a while, using dry shampoo – which soaks up any excess grease in the hair – can build up on your scalp and clog up hair follicles which can then lead to inflammation that can contribute to hair loss, says Deborah Maguire.

Some dry shampoos also contain alcohol which can dry the hair out, making it more likely to break. Don't wrap your hair in a towel The common habit of putting wet hair in a towel and twisting it up on top of your head only encourages tangles which then need removing; towels are also usually large and heavy which puts unnecessary strain on your hair and scalp. It is far better to use a microfibre towel, suggests Anabel Kingsley.

‘These are lighter, softer and absorb water better than regular towels – but still try not to put traction on your roots.’ Add caffeine shampoo to your routine There is some evidence that caffeine shampoos can improve cell energy and counteract the negative effects of testosterone on hair follicles. In one 2017 study, published in the journal Skin Pharmacology and Physiology, caffeine shampoo led to similar results to minoxidil use after six months.

Be careful to choose the right hairbrush Harsh bristly brushes make your hair break and leave it looking thinner. As a rough rule of thumb, if it can leave scratches on your hand, it’s scratching the hair. Go for soft bristles or a de-tangling brush.

Be careful brushing your wet locks ‘Wet hair is 50 per cent weaker than dry hair, so brushing it at this stage makes it more prone to damage, such as breakage and split ends,’ says Deborah Maguire. Comb hair with a wide-toothed comb to reduce resistance if there are knots. Time to dump the straighteners ‘Anything that uses particularly high heat – that includes a hair dryer – damages the hair, which makes it more likely to break,’ says Deborah Maguire.

‘If you wouldn’t apply that heat to your skin, don’t apply it to your hair.’ If you do use an appliance, always use the lowest heat setting and try to limit the amount of time the heat touches your hair. The damage is cumulative, so using them less frequently will minimise this.

How weight-loss jabs or lack of iron may be the real problem 'Hair loss may be a symptom of other medical disorders rather than a diagnosis in itself,’ says Dr David Fenton, a consultant dermatologist at the OneWelbeck clinic in London. Being aware of other physical changes – and seeing your GP promptly about them – can ensure the cause is treated correctly. Here Dr Fenton explains the more common causes.

.. POLYCYSTIC OVARIES: One of the symptoms of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a condition caused by hormonal imbalances affecting the ovaries, is female-pattern hair loss.

It leads to a rise in dihydrotesterone (DHT), the active form of testosterone, or increased sensitivity to normal levels. Other symptoms include irregular or no periods, weight gain and excessive hair growth elsewhere. THYROID CONDITIONS: Both an overactive and underactive thyroid can cause hair loss, although it’s most commonly associated with an underactive thyroid.

Other symptoms include tiredness and weight issues. The thyroid produces hormones that regulate metabolism – too little and everything starts to slow down, including hair growth. Too much can also cause increased shedding, perhaps due to weight loss and increased metabolism.

There have been anecdotal reports of hair loss after weight-loss injections, although it’s not a listed side-effect – possibly as the reduction in calorie intake can lead to a lack of nutrients RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS: Along with other autoimmune conditions, hair loss is a known symptom of rheumatoid arthritis; others include joint pain and tiredness. Unfortunately, the drugs prescribed to treat it – methotrexate and leflunomide – which can stop the cells that cause inflammation from multiplying, have the same effect on hair follicles; switching to another drug may help. ANAEMIA: If accompanied by other symptoms such as extreme tiredness, pale skin and cold hands and feet, hair loss could be a symptom of iron deficiency, caused by a lack of the nutrient in the diet.

Iron is vital for producing haemoglobin, which carries oxygen to all the cells in the body, including those responsible for hair growth. MEDICATIONS: Hair loss can be a side-effect of retinoids (used for acne), antidepressants and blood thinners like warfarin – all affecting the growing phase of the hair cycle. There have also been anecdotal reports of hair loss after weight-loss injections, although it’s not a listed side-effect – possibly as the severe reduction in calorie intake can lead to a lack of nutrients.

What you’ll get on the NHS and what you have to pay for Despite the number of people affected by hair loss, what’s generally available on the NHS to treat it is limited,’ says dermatologist Dr Sharon Wong. The main options available on the NHS are steroid creams and injections and the new JAK inhibitors (see previous page). The licensed treatments for male and female-pattern baldness, topical minoxidil (in foam and liquid form) and finasteride are not available on the NHS.

Topical minoxidil is available to buy (brand name Regaine). There is a tablet version, but it is available on private prescription only, as it’s not licensed for hair loss – it was used for high blood pressure in larger doses (up to 40mg, compared with 0.625mg to 5mg for hair loss); hair growth was a happy side-effect.

Sometimes taking minoxidil as a daily pill, rather than using it topically, can be more effective as it gets into the bloodstream. Generally, minoxidil is well tolerated, particularly in the low doses, however there can be a risk of fluid retention, headaches, increased heart rate and low blood pressure, especially with higher doses. A common side-effect is initial hair-shedding.

Finasteride was originally developed to treat prostate disease (5mg dose) and the benefit on hair was a side-effect. As one of the very few licensed drugs for hair loss, studies show an increase of hair count and appearance generally within three to six months. ‘It works by lowering levels of the sex hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which causes the hair follicles to shrink,’ says dermatologist Dr David Fenton.

‘But it only works for as long as you take it; for some that’s for life.’ Taking it long-term is not to be taken lightly and there are side-effects. It is estimated that more than one in 100 experience sexual dysfunction, such as low libido and erectile dysfunction.

There have also been reports of depression, suicidal thoughts and breast tissue sensitivity. ‘Some people are left with post-finasteride syndrome, where despite no longer taking it, they retain the side-effects,’ says Dr Fenton. Physical treatments tend to only be available privately, says dematologist Dr Archana Rao.

‘These include platelet-rich plasma (PRP) – which involves the patient’s own blood being taken, spun in a centrifuge to extract the growth factors, which are then injected into their scalp to promote growth.’ Most effective for male and female-pattern hair loss and alopecia areata, a 2019 study in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, found those who had PRP experienced a significant increase in hair count and density. Costs vary, from £150 to £900 per session.

Finasteride works by 'lowering levels of the sex hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which causes the hair follicles to shrink’, says dermatologist Dr David Fenton ‘Laser light therapy is available to stimulate follicles but needs further research,’ adds Dr Rao. Expect to pay £45 per session. Microneedling involves rolling a device with lots of tiny needles over the balding area to create small wounds and promote the body’s natural healing process, in turn promoting hair growth.

It can work better when combined with topical minoxidil, as it improves microcirculation and increases the area to absorb it. It costs around £65 per session. A newer option is tricopat, which uses a combination of low-level electric current, red light therapy and sound waves to stimulate follicle growth.

A 2021 study in the journal Dermatology Practical & Conceptual showed all 60 participants experienced hair regrowth. From £300 per session. SHOULD YOU GO UNDER THE KNIFE? Hair transplant surgery – not available on the NHS – can cost around £7,000 in the UK, says Dr Chris D’Souza, president of the British Association of Hair Restoration Surgery.

The two main types are strip follicular unit transplantation (FUT) and follicular unit excision (FUE). Strip FUT is more invasive – a thin strip of skin is removed from the donor area of the scalp; this is then cut down into sections of hair follicles and transplanted into the area of hair loss. A large number of grafts can be taken without having to shave the hair for the procedure; the downside is there’s a linear scar where hair was taken from, so you can’t cut your hair too short.

With FUE, individual hair follicles are harvested one by one – then inserted where hair is thinning. The upside is that there’s no linear scar, so you can have your hair as short as grade one. The downside is you have to have the hair shaved at the back and sides for the procedure.

The cost of treatment in the UK drives many to seek treatment in countries such as Turkey. ‘Getting these treatments abroad can be successful but, equally, things can – and do – go wrong,’ says Dr D’Souza. ‘Some countries do not have the same strict regulations as in the UK: in England, clinics offering hair transplants have to be registered with the Care Quality Commission – and all surgical steps of the procedure need to be performed by a licensed doctor.

’ This means you’ll be seen by a qualified medic before surgery. If you go abroad, you could be dealing with a broker, essentially a sales agent who refers you to technician-led clinics. This means being seen – and having surgery discussed – by people with no medical training.

‘You can be promised things that just aren’t possible,’ says Dr D’Souza. ‘If you proceed to surgery without stabilising any existing hair loss, for instance, you may end up with an unnatural, undesirable result. ‘Equally, there are some types of alopecia where a transplant just won’t work; in alopecia areata, for instance, the same immune system that destroys hair follicles which can lead to hair loss can also attack the transplanted hair,’ he says.

‘There are good clinics abroad but it’s imperative you do your homework,’ adds Dr D’Souza. Visit bahrs.co.

uk for advice. Hair transplant transformed my life and restored my confidence Last May, Michelle Wise, 55, went to the Wimpole Clinic in London to have a hair transplant Looking at Michelle Wise, 55, you’d see a confident woman who is more than happy to embrace her hair’s natural flecks of grey. But in 2020, mother-of-two Michelle, a marketing manager from Hampshire, was so affected by her thinning temples and receding hairline that she wore a wig.

The problem began after the birth of her first child in 1998. ‘Whilst my hair was lovely during pregnancy, after that it just started thinning,’ she says. ‘I started to feel really self-conscious, keeping my hair longer so the weight of it would hold it down over the thinning areas at my temples.

‘I saw my GP, but he just said it was one of those things, probably age-related, so I started using minoxidil foam I bought from the chemist – but it didn’t help.’ In 2018, Michelle was referred to a specialist hair clinic in London and was diagnosed with female-pattern baldness. She tried a wig ‘and it was so good you honestly couldn’t tell’, she says.

‘But I worried about it blowing off my head. One time I went camping with new friends and I was up early making sure it looked natural before anyone else was up. I realised I didn’t want to keep wearing wigs for the rest of my life.

’ Last May, she went to the Wimpole Clinic in London to have a hair transplant with the FUT procedure (see above). ‘When I left the clinic, there was blood all over my head and a fair amount of swelling,’ says Michelle. ‘I couldn’t wash it or put my wig back on for two weeks to give the follicles a chance to secure into my scalp and had to sleep sitting up for five nights to reduce the swelling.

’ After six weeks, Michelle went to her hairdresser to have her hair washed and tidied – ‘I remember it vividly,’ she recalls. ‘The new growth was baby fine – but I could see a new hairline. It’s hard to describe how good it felt to anyone who hasn’t experienced the devastation of hair loss.

’ As her hair grew, Michelle continued wearing her wig. Then, last Christmas, she went to the hairdresser and had her real hair cut and styled and put the wig away for good. ‘After decades I finally feel like me again,’ says Michelle.

‘It’s given me my confidence back.’ London NHS Share or comment on this article: The Ultimate Guide to Hair Loss: from the best pillow material to the common bathroom product you should NEVER use, experts reveal how to stop the devastating process e-mail Add comment Comments 1 Share what you think Newest Oldest Best rated Worst rated View all The comments below have not been moderated. View all The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline.

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