Hidden Side of Hair Loss - women now account for a third of all hair transplant procedures

MORE WOMEN than ever are coming forward to seek hair loss treatment according to new statistics from the UK's biggest provider of cosmetic surgery. Transform, who started out as a hair loss specialist 38 years ago reports a 41% increase in the number of female enquirers for hair loss treatment in the last year to June 2013.

1/3 of all hair transplant patients are female

41% increase in female hair loss enquiries in the past year*

24% increase in female hair transplants in the past year*

Average age of female hair loss patient down from 51 years in 2010 to 34 years in 2013

Hair loss has traditionally been thought of as a condition that affects only men, but both men and women of all ages can suffer from receding hair lines and thinning hair.

Female hair loss can be caused by a number of factors including stress, diet, low iron levels, hormonal imbalance from pregnancy and menopause and can also be hereditary.

Transform hair surgeon, Mr Mabroor Bhatty comments:
"Whilst the majority of hair loss patients are men,I have seen a steady increase year-on-year in the number of women coming to me with hair concerns and I expect it will continue rising. Men seem to come to terms with the condition much quicker than their female counterparts who understandably find it much more distressing."

Female hair loss can be embarrassing and confidence-destroying, leaving many women unhappy in their lives, particularly with beauty and physical appearance being more important than ever. Transform believes with more information available on the internet and greater accessibility to affordable treatment, women are now coming forward to address their concerns and issues.

High profile male celebrities have undergone hair transplant procedures including Wayne Rooney, Ben Affleck and James Nesbit but more recently, MP and 'I'm A Celebrity..' star Nadine Dorries has spoken out about her battle with the condition on breakfast television. She is the first well known female celebrity to speak out on the subject.

Mr Bhatty, who has performed hundreds of hair transplants at Transform comments on Nadine's story; "Nadine is very brave to publicly open up about an issue that traditionally has not been something women want to speak about. Hair loss and its treatment is now becoming less taboo and those who are bold enough to speak out about it should be commended. My patients often comment that celebrities have inspired them to seek treatment as they feel they can relate to them."

It is also not uncommon for women in their 20s to visit. Young women are using hair extensions in a bid to enhance their beauty, copy celebrities or change their look completely. However this beauty comes at a price and women are finding themselves suffering from 'alopecia traction', where the pull from extensions causes tension and the hair to eventually fall out.

In the past women have felt unable to do anything about their hair loss but they no longer have to suffer, with permanent, affordable and more sophisticated treatments and procedures available to them.