Hair loss in women and what could be causing it

Balding and receding hairlines often crop up as a concern amongst men of a certain age, but hair loss can also occur in women too.

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The density and quality of our hair often changes as we age, and shedding a certain amount of hair day-to-day is normal.

But more prominent hair loss can sometimes be a symptom of a bigger health issue, and it can have a huge impact on confidence and self-esteem.

So, how much hair loss is normal and how can you tell if something is wrong?

IS HAIR LOSS NORMAL?

"A certain degree of change to our hair is inevitable as we age," says Anabel Kingsley, consultant trichologist at Philip Kingsley. “Like any skin, our scalp and hair follicles age. Most women find their hair becomes finer, less dense and less lustrous.

"On average, you will shed around 100 hairs per day," Kingsley adds. "However, if you see a fluctuation where you are shedding too much hair, or many more hairs than what you consider to be your 'normal', then this will usually indicate some internal disturbance or imbalance."

WHAT CAUSES HAIR LOSS IN WOMEN?

Female hair loss can have a wide range of causes, and it might occur as general thinning in certain areas or throughout the head, or smooth, bald patches developing on the scalp. With the latter, this is usually a condition called alopecia areata, believed to be due to the immune system wrongly attacking hair follicle cells.