The most common permanent hair loss is pattern baldness, which often runs in families. In men it usually shows as a receding hairline and thinning at the crown. In women it more often appears as thinning across the top of the scalp. Other causes are temporary, so identifying the cause comes before choosing any treatment.
Permanent and temporary causes
The NHS describes losing 50 to 100 hairs a day as normal. Permanent loss, such as male or female pattern baldness, often runs in families. Temporary loss can follow illness, stress, cancer treatment, weight loss or iron deficiency. When it is caused by a medical condition, hair usually stops falling out or regrows once the condition is treated.
| Type | Typical pattern | Usually |
|---|---|---|
| Male pattern baldness | Receding hairline, thinning at the crown | Gradual and permanent |
| Female pattern baldness | Thinning across the top of the scalp | Gradual and permanent |
| Temporary loss | Diffuse shedding after a trigger such as illness or iron deficiency | Often regrows once the cause is treated |
What the Norwood scale measures
The Norwood scale grades male pattern loss from stage 1 (no significant loss) to stage 7 (extensive loss). Surgeons use it to describe your pattern and to estimate how much donor hair a plan might need. It is a description of the current pattern, not a prediction of how fast you will lose more.
Women are more commonly assessed using scales such as the Ludwig scale, which is built around diffuse thinning at the top of the scalp rather than a receding hairline.
When to see a GP first
The NHS advises seeing a GP if you are worried about hair loss, and recommends doing so before considering a commercial hair clinic. Go sooner if:
- the loss is sudden, patchy or in clumps
- you have other symptoms, such as fatigue, scalp irritation or changes to your skin or nails
- you have started a new medicine recently
- the hair loss is affecting your wellbeing. The NHS says your GP may arrange counselling if it is causing distress.
A GP can examine your hair and scalp and decide whether tests are needed. Not all treatments are available on the NHS, so ask what is and is not offered where you live.
Where a transplant fits
Alopecia areata and other patchy loss
Not all hair loss follows a pattern of gradual thinning. Sudden, round or oval bald patches can have a different cause and are worth showing to a GP. They may be referred to a dermatologist for diagnosis. The treatments for patchy hair loss differ from those for pattern baldness. The NHS lists steroid injections or creams and immunotherapy among the options for some types of hair loss, and says some may not be available on the NHS. A transplant is generally not the first answer to patchy loss.
Hair loss in women
Women can experience pattern hair loss too, usually as a gradual thinning over the top of the scalp rather than a clearly receding hairline. Hormonal changes, iron or thyroid problems, illness and some medicines can all contribute. Because there are several possible causes, a GP assessment, and sometimes blood tests, is a sensible first step. The NHS notes that minoxidil can treat female pattern baldness, and that women should not use finasteride. Whether any treatment suits you, including during pregnancy or breastfeeding, is a decision for your doctor or pharmacist.
Questions to bring to the appointment
A short list helps you get the most from a GP appointment. Note when the hair loss started, whether it has been sudden or gradual, any family history, recent illnesses, new medicines, big changes in diet or weight, and any other symptoms. Photos taken over time, in the same light, show change better than memory.
- When did you first notice the change, and has it sped up?
- Are there other symptoms, such as tiredness, itching or scalp soreness?
- Has anyone in your family had similar hair loss, and at what age?
- What would you like to achieve: slowing the loss, regrowing hair, or a cosmetic fix?
Being clear about your goal helps the clinician suggest sensible choices, and helps you judge any later offer from a private clinic.
Why the pattern matters for planning
The pattern of loss shapes what is realistic. Early, limited loss may leave plenty of options and time to think. Extensive loss, for example at the higher Norwood stages, may mean donor hair is not enough to cover everything at the density you would like. A clinician should be frank about this, and about the fact that the aim of a transplant is usually to improve the appearance of thinning, not to restore a teenager's hairline. Be cautious of anyone who tells you that every pattern can be fully restored.
A hair transplant moves hair from the back of the head to thinning areas, per the NHS. It is only suitable once the cause and pattern are understood, and it works best where there is enough stable donor hair. For non-surgical choices, read non-surgical hair loss options and finasteride and minoxidil explained. If surgery is on your mind, read FUE vs DHI.
Frequently asked questions
What does the Norwood scale measure?
It grades male pattern hair loss from stage 1 (no significant loss) to stage 7 (extensive loss) and helps surgeons plan.
Is losing hair every day normal?
Yes. The NHS says losing 50 to 100 hairs a day is normal.
When should I see a GP about hair loss?
If loss is sudden, patchy, comes with other symptoms or is affecting your wellbeing. The NHS advises a GP before a commercial clinic.
Is hair loss always permanent?
No. Loss caused by illness, stress or iron deficiency can regrow once the cause is treated.