How common is male pattern baldness in the UK?

Male (androgenetic) pattern baldness is the most common cause of hair loss in men. Clinical reference StatPearls reports that approximately 50% of men are affected by age 50 and around 80% by age 70.

How many people get alopecia areata in the UK?

A 2024 UK population-based cohort study in the British Journal of Dermatology found a lifetime incidence of alopecia areata of 2.11% by age 80 — roughly 1 in 50 people — with an adult point prevalence of about 0.58%.

How much hair is it normal to lose in a day?

The NHS states it is normal to lose between 50 and 100 hairs a day, often without noticing. Hair loss becomes a concern when it is sustained, patchy, or noticeably thinning the hair.

Hair Loss · ReferenceUpdated June 2026Properly sourced

UK hair loss statistics

Hair loss is far more common than most people realise — and a lot of the figures quoted online are made up. Here are the numbers that actually stand up, each cited to its source: the NHS, the clinical reference StatPearls, and the British Journal of Dermatology.

If you are losing your hair, the first comfort is simply how normal it is. The figures below are drawn from authoritative medical sources, not marketing — and you are welcome to cite them (a link back to this page is appreciated).

~50%

of men are affected by male (androgenetic) pattern baldness by age 50 — rising to around 80% by age 70.

Source: StatPearls (NCBI)

Up to 50%

of both men and women are affected by androgenetic alopecia overall — it is the single most common cause of hair loss.

Source: StatPearls (NCBI)

~2.1%

lifetime incidence of alopecia areata in the UK by age 80 — roughly 1 in 50 people — with an adult point prevalence of about 0.58%.

Source: British Journal of Dermatology, 2024 (UK cohort)

50–100

hairs a day is normal to lose, often without noticing. It is sustained or patchy loss — not daily shedding — that signals a problem.

Source: NHS

After menopause

female-pattern hair loss becomes notably more common — it is the most common cause of hair loss in women, and increases markedly with age.

Source: StatPearls (NCBI)

Any age

alopecia areata can begin at any age, though it most often appears in young adults — and its impact on confidence and wellbeing is well documented.

Source: Alopecia UK

What the numbers mean

Two things stand out. First, pattern hair loss is the rule, not the exception — by midlife around half of men are affected, and it is far more common in women than most assume. Second, it is rarely "just cosmetic": the research consistently shows a real impact on confidence and mood, which is exactly why having genuine options matters. If you want the causes explained plainly, see why hair loss happens; for medical and alopecia-related loss, see hair systems for alopecia.

Where a hair system fits

Whatever the cause or stage, a hair system restores a full, natural head of hair without surgery — including the cases other options cannot help, such as total loss from alopecia. You can estimate the cost for your situation with our cost calculator, or work out your stage of loss with the Norwood scale guide.

Sources

• NHS — Hair loss.
• Wolverton et al., Androgenetic Alopecia — StatPearls (NCBI Bookshelf).
• Lifetime incidence and healthcare disparities in alopecia areata: a UK population-based cohort study, British Journal of Dermatology, 2024.
• Alopecia UK.

Whatever the statistics say, your hair is personal

Come and talk it through at a free, private consultation — no pressure, just honest options for your situation.

Book a free consultation