It’s Hair Loss Awareness Month! Now is the perfect opportunity to get the truth about Hair Loss – it’s more common than you think and there are so many causes. We always recommend speaking to an expert (your hairdresser, a Doctor or Trichologist) as soon as you start noticing Hair Loss or Thinning, that’s why we spoke to hair loss expert Dr Sharon Wong.
Dr Sharon Wong was appointed as a Consultant Dermatologist at the Homerton University Hospital in London in 2012 and is also the founder of Get Ahead of Hair Loss. She specialises in treating hair loss and scalp disorders and runs a dedicated hair clinic at the Homerton Hospital. Due to the large African and Caribbean representation in the local community, Dr Wong has a unique understanding and clinical expertise in treating hair disorders in African hair and contributed to setting the world record in delivering the largest hair education lesson during the first World Afro Day in September 2017. She is frequently invited to speak on hair loss at conferences, GP educational events and patient support activities.
She is a member of the British Association of Dermatologists (BAD), the Royal College of Physicians (RCP) and the British Hair and Nail Society (BHNS). She is a spokesperson for the British Skin Foundation and is the medical advisor for the Cicatricial Alopecia Research Foundation (CARF) in London. She works closely with Alopecia UK and is currently an advisor on the development of e-learning modules for GPs on hair loss. Dr Wong’s desire to work collaboratively with allied professionals to ensure that all patients with hair loss feel supported medically, psychologically and cosmetically inspired her to create the first ever Get Ahead of Hair Loss campaign.
What are the first signs of hair loss?
Hair loss can strike anyone at any time. Of course there are some determined factors, and all hair loss is different, but for most people the first signs of hair loss is an increased amount of hair shedding. We lose approximately 100 hairs a day, but hair shedding is when the hair loss is a lot more noticeable for instance, when brushing and washing the hair, on the pillow or in the plughole. A more gradual thinning with the scalp skin showing through more visibly, or a receding hairline. In Alopecia Aerate, the hair loss often appears suddenly as round hairless patches.
People often feel isolated when experiencing hair loss, but how common is it?
Hair Loss is common and has many potential causes – hormones, diet, lifestyle or pollution – and it is estimated that in the UK 40% of women over 25 and 30% of men over 30 suffer from hair loss at any one time, regardless of cause.
What psychological effects can hair loss have?
As a society we spend a lot of money and time on our hair – the UK hair and beauty industry is worth £28 billion – and our hair is seen as our crowning glory. There are products to cover greys, add bounce and give it a glossy finish. A full head of luscious hair is seen as youthful and beautiful. So when hair loss hits it can have far-reaching effects on a person’s self-esteem and confidence, affecting many aspects of their personal and work life. Depression, anxiety and social phobia with avoidance behaviours are commonly seen in parties with hair loss.
Have you seen an increase in cases throughout lockdown due to increased stress levels?
Stress can have a huge effect on our hair, scalp and skin and the recent pandemic will have brought with it individual stresses with finance worries and job security. Health concerns directly related to Covid-19 have resulted in a rise in cases of increased hair shedding, otherwise known as Telogen Effluvium. Thankfully, acute Telogen Effluvium is usually self-limiting and will settle over subsequent months after the trigger factor is resolved.
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