Over 15 million UK residents experience hair loss, equating to more than one in five people. With hair loss a common cause of emotional distress and reduced confidence for many, it’s no surprise that interest in preventative measures continues to grow.
But how effective are hair loss treatments? And what does the future hold for hair loss prevention in the UK and beyond?
With this in mind, Chemist4U has compiled the latest hair loss statistics for 2025, examining common types of hair loss in the UK, the causes of hair loss in men and women, and the success rates of treatments such as finasteride and minoxidil.
We combine the most up-to-date research with original data to illustrate how hair loss management has evolved, providing a window into what the future of hair loss treatment might hold.
Top 10 must-know hair loss statistics
Up to 80% of men and 50% of women will experience pattern hair loss (androgenetic alopecia) at some point in their lives. (Source: National Library of Medicine)
By the age of 35, approximately 40% of men experience significant hair loss. (Source: The Guardian)
95% of men who experience hair loss are affected by male pattern baldness. (Source: Medihair)
Search interest in finasteride rose 88% between 2020 and 2025. (Chemist4U)
The male hair loss rate in the UK stands at 40.09%, which is over four percentage points lower than in Spain. (Source: Medihair)
Less than 45% of women reach age 80 with a full head of hair. (Source: DermNet)
85% of women with hair loss reported experiencing reduced self-esteem. (Source: British Journal of Dermatology)
Search interest in minoxidil was over six times higher in 2025 than in 2016. (Chemist4U)
62% of men experienced hair regrowth in affected areas after one year of using 5% minoxidil. (The International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery)
66% of men experienced hair regrowth after two years on finasteride, compared to just 7% on placebo. (Source: Science Direct)
How common is hair loss in the UK?
Approximately 6.5 million men and 8 million women in the UK are experiencing hair loss today. With the current UK population standing at just under 69.3 million, this means that over a fifth of people are living with hair loss.
It’s worth noting that, despite these figures, the male pattern baldness rate in the UK is just over 40%, which would suggest a much higher number. It’s likely that the figure of 6.5 million refers to medically diagnosed and more advanced stages of hair loss and doesn’t capture the extent of the population experiencing symptoms.
Hair loss statistics indicate that up to 80% of men and half of women will experience hair loss at some point in their lives. The odds of experiencing hair loss progress with age, with a report from The Guardian claiming that 40% of men experience hair loss by the age of 35. This figure could be as high as 80% by age 70, according to an article from Patient.
Genetic descent can play a role, with people from Caucasian backgrounds most likely to experience hair loss, compared to those from Asian, African, or Native American backgrounds.
How do I know if I'm losing my hair?
While everyone sheds some hair, hair loss is diagnosed when you regularly lose more than 100 hairs per day. This places you above the normal hair shedding rate, which is between 50 and 100 hairs per day.
Common types of hair loss
Numerous medical conditions, genetic factors, and environmental influences can contribute to hair loss. A few of the most common types of hair loss are:
Androgenetic Alopecia (male and female pattern baldness)
Commonly known as male (or female) pattern baldness, androgenetic alopecia is the most common type of hair loss in the UK.
Individuals with this condition experience a weakened hair growth cycle, leading to the shrinkage of hair follicles. This results in shorter and finer strands of hair being produced over time until they stop being produced at all.
Male pattern baldness is a genetic condition, often caused by genes inherited from the maternal side. Specifically, those experiencing the condition usually have higher levels of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) – a male sex hormone produced from testosterone.
Hair loss can begin as early as the teenage years, but typically starts anywhere from the mid-20s onwards.
While female pattern baldness is also believed to be genetic as well as hormonal, it doesn’t typically start in younger age groups like with men. Instead, symptoms commonly start in your fifties and sixties.
Alopecia areata
Alopecia areata is an autoimmune condition resulting in patchy hair loss in the scalp, beard, eyelashes, or eyebrows. Approximately 2% of people are affected by the condition during their lifetime, with the condition affecting both men and women.
Alopecia areata can occur at various levels of severity, ranging from a single patch of baldness to complete loss of hair on the head (alopecia totalis). For many, symptoms of this condition can resolve on their own over time; however, others experience permanent hair loss.
Alopecia areata can occur at any age, but is most common in people in their 20s and 30s.
Telogen effluvium
Telogen effluvium is a type of rapid hair loss caused by stress or hormonal fluctuations. This condition is diagnosed when hairs begin shedding from the head at an increased rate, typically at more than 125 hairs per day.
Common causes or situations where telogen effluvium occurs include:
shortly after having a baby
after recovering from a period of illness
during illness
stress
weight loss
iron deficiency
In most cases of telogen effluvium, hair shedding stops or regrowth occurs after a few months, typically after the underlying cause has resolved or been treated.
Causes of hair loss
Balding statistics show that genetics is a significant cause of hair loss. Over nine in 10 (95%) men who experience hair loss are affected by male pattern baldness – a condition predicated on genetics, according to the American Hair Loss Association.
Other common causes of hair loss include:
advancing age
diet
stress
lifestyle
medications
illness
These factors can all contribute to hair loss simultaneously. For example, the likelihood of developing certain conditions associated with hair loss, such as type 2 diabetes, increases with age.
Certain medications used to treat symptoms such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and cardiac conditions can also cause hair loss. Additionally, specific nutritional deficiencies (e.g., protein, iron, and vitamin B12) have been linked to hair loss.
Smoking has been linked to the quickening of androgenic alopecia, with a 2020 study finding that over 80% of smokers aged between 20 and 35 showed signs of hair loss, more than double the total of non-smokers.
Early symptoms of hair loss
Thinning hair was the most common symptom found among participants of Medihair’s hair loss study. Over a quarter (26%) of respondents cited this symptom, gradually more than the number experiencing M-shaped hair loss at the front of the head (24.4%).
The survey consisted of users of Medihair and partner brands, indicating that participants had either purchased or expressed interest in hair loss treatments or products.
The most common symptoms among hair loss study participants
Just under a fifth reported excess hair loss when combing, over seven percentage points more than the number who cited a persistent itchy scalp and dandruff (12.6%).
At the other end of the scale, just 2.6% of respondents reported U-shaped hair loss, with 3.2% citing circular hair loss.
Does hair loss run in the family?
Over seven in 10 (70.5%) hair loss study participants reported hair loss in other family members, validating the genetic influence of male and female pattern baldness.
Percentage of hair loss study participants with family members experiencing hair loss
Just under three in 10 (29.5%) reported that no other family members experienced hair loss, which is less than half of the total number of people who reported hair loss in their family.
"If hair loss runs in your family, it's worth keeping an eye out for early signs like a receding hairline or thinning at the crown. The sooner you start treatment, the better your chances of slowing it down and maintaining the hair you have. Early intervention really does make a difference, so if you're noticing changes, don't wait to seek advice and treatment."
Hair loss research from Freebird revealed that between 16% and 20% of men in their twenties show noticeable signs of hair loss. The findings were based on a study initially published in Dermatologic Surgery.
Unsurprisingly, these numbers climb with every age group, reaching 25-33% for men in their thirties.
Percentage of men with noticeable hair loss by age
Up to 53% of men in their forties have noticeable hair loss, with the number potentially as high as two-thirds for those in their fifties.
For those over 60, approximately 85% exhibit signs of significant hair loss, which is over four times more prevalent than in those in their twenties.
Male hair loss by country
Spain had the highest rate of male hair loss among a global study of 47 countries. With a rate of 44.5%, Spain’s total was gradually higher than Italy’s (44.37%) and France’s (44.25%); the only other nations with male hair loss totals above 44%.
The countries with the highest rates of male hair loss by population
Europe dominates the list for male hair loss, with eight of the top 12 based on the continent.
The US was the highest non-European country, with its rate of 42.68% more than a percentage point higher than fifth-placed Germany.
The UK had the twelfth-highest rate of male baldness, at 40.09% — over four percentage points lower than Spain, Italy, and France.
The countries with the lowest rates of male hair loss by population
With a rate of just 26.96%, Indonesia had the lowest male hair loss percentage among all countries in Medihair’s study. Indonesia’s total was fractionally less than second-place Colombia (27.04%), and just over one percentage point lower than the Philippines (28%).
Malaysia and Argentina were the only other countries with male hair loss rates below 30%, with China’s total of 30.81% placing it in sixth place.
Asia was responsible for five of the top 10 countries with the lowest male hair loss per population, with three coming from Europe and two from South America.
Female hair loss statistics
Hair loss statistics from the National Library of Medicine indicate that approximately four in 10 women exhibit signs of female pattern hair loss by age 50, with fewer than 45% retaining a full head of hair by age 80.
While often considered a ‘man’s problem’, a UK survey from Gerrard International found 75% of women saying they’d experienced hair loss or thinning, compared to 73% of men.
What are the most common causes of female hair loss?
Half of the surveyed women experiencing hair loss cited stress and anxiety as a cause. This was over double the number of any other factor, with just under a quarter (24%) citing postpartum hair loss as a reason for their condition.
The most common causes of hair loss cited by surveyed women
A fifth of respondents (20%) thought ageing had contributed to their thinning – four percentage points more than those who cited the menopause as a cause for hair loss(16%).
At the other end of the scale, just 1% of people said diagnosed alopecia was the reason for their hair loss, with 3% citing genetic factors.
"Hair loss doesn't just affect men. It's actually more common in women than many people realise, and it can happen at any age. It can also be triggered by life events, such as pregnancy or menopause. Thankfully, there are treatments available that can help, such as topical minoxidil. If you're concerned about thinning hair or increased shedding, it's definitely worth having a conversation with your pharmacist or GP to explore your options."
Recent hair loss statistics estimate the global market for hair loss treatments and products to be worth a staggering £2.89 billion (equal to $3.8 billion) by 2025.
Growth appears to be continuing, with a projected year-on-year increase of around 5.8%, taking the industry value past £3.06 billion ($4 billion).
Global value of the hair loss growth, treatments, and products market, 2025-34
By 2034, it’s estimated that the global hair loss, growth, treatments, and products market will be worth £4.8 billion ($6.31 billion), representing a 66% increase from 2025. If correct, the industry is expected to experience a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.8% between 2025 and 2034.
Hair loss treatment statistics
Finasteride 1mg was the most commonly prescribed hair loss treatment, with over two-thirds (66.4%) of survey participants experiencing hair loss being prescribed this product.
This was nearly eight percentage points more than 5% minoxidil foam, the only other product prescribed to over half of the respondents.
Most commonly prescribed hair loss treatments among hair loss survey participants
Treatment
Percentage of respondents prescribed this treatment
Finasteride 1mg
66.4%
5% minoxidil foam
56.8%
PRP (platelet-rich plasma)
43.5%
Other nutritional herbs/vitamins
31.5%
Biotin
27.6%
Ketoconazole 2% shampoo
25.0%
Lower-level laser therapy
23.9%
Hairpiece, hairweave, toupee, extensions
17.9%
Compounded minoxidil (with additives like tretinoin, corticosteroids, finasteride, no propylene glycol, high % creams, etc)
17.1%
Finasteride 5mg
14.3%
Topical finasteride
14.3%
2% Pyrithione zinc shampoo
13.0%
Oral minoxidil
10.2%
Saw palmetto
8.5%
Dutasteride
5.9%
(Source: Medihair)
At 43.5%, platelet-rich plasma is a treatment that uses a concentration of a patient's own platelets to promote the healing of injured tissues and was the third-most prescribed product.
This was over 20 percentage points more than the total who’d been prescribed lower-level laser therapy, and over three times more than those prescribed topical finasteride.
Our finasteride vs minoxidil guide breaks down the key features of each hair loss treatment to help you decide on the best one for you.
Most commonly used hair loss treatments among hair loss survey participants
More than half of the participants in Medihair’s hair loss (54.4%) survey said they currently use no preventative measures. This was over 20 percentage points more than any individual treatment, with just under a third (32.6%) using hair loss shampoo.
Just over 10% reported taking medication to combat hair loss, with only 6% opting for medical treatment, such as hair transplants.
Finasteride success rate statistics
A study published in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology Symposium Proceedings evaluated the effectiveness of finasteride in men with male pattern hair loss.
Results showed that after 42 days of treatment, median DHT levels in the scalp decreased by 64% for those on 1mg doses and by 69% for those on 5mg doses. By comparison, those given a placebo pill saw a drop of just 13%.
The same report found that nearly half (48%) of men on finasteride experienced hair regrowth after one year, compared to around seven times fewer men on placebo (7%).
Over this time, those on the hair loss medication experienced a median hair regrowth of around 11%, with this figure retained a year later.
Finasteride's success rate in hair regrowth vs placebo
The differences grew even greater over time, with 66% of finasteride users experiencing hair regrowth after two years, compared to just 7% of those on the placebo.
The percentage of hair regrowth plateaued among finasteride users after five years, standing at 65%. By that time, none of the men who received a placebo had seen their hair regrow.
Finasteride success rate in preventing hair loss vs placebo
Balding statistics revealed that just 17% of finasteride users experienced further hair loss after two years on the medication, compared to less than a quarter of those given a placebo pill (72%).
Finasteride continued to prevent hair loss over time. Just a tenth (10%) of those on the treatment for five years experienced further hair loss, compared to three-quarters (75%) on the placebo.
Finasteride success rate by location of hair loss
Level of hair loss
Percentage of men with vertex hair loss experiencing this outcome after two years on 1mg finasteride
Percentage of men with frontal hair loss experiencing this outcome after one year on 1mg finasteride
No further hair loss
83%
70%
Further hair loss
17%
30%
(Source: Journal of Investigative Dermatology Symposium Proceedings)
Over four in five men (83%) experiencing vertex hair loss – hair loss on the crown or top of the scalp – experienced no further loss after two years on 1mg finasteride.
Though success rates were slightly lower for those with frontal hair loss (receding hairline), at 70% after one year, this data support the effectiveness of finasteride at treating the two most common areas of male pattern hair loss.
Minoxidil success rate statistics
Use of minoxidil 5% was found to reduce hair loss in areas of the scalp in 62% of men after just one year. Additionally, over a third (35.1%) experienced no increase, with less than 3% having greater hair loss than before.
The number of hairs lost during washing also decreased significantly, from an average of 69.7 at the beginning of the study to 33.8 by the end.
The effectiveness of 5% minoxidil on male hair loss and regrowth
Of the nearly 1,000 men in the study, 47.8% described the minoxidil as effective, with a further 15.9% considering it very effective.
Just over a fifth (20.6%) described minoxidil as moderately effective, meaning nearly 85% of men experienced at least some benefits after just a year.
Hair transplant statistics
With success rates varying across the industry, Chemist4U looked at data from 10 leading hair loss treatment and surgery providers.
Since each shared their own success rate range, we averaged these figures to get an overall picture, showing that hair transplant success rates typically fall between 90% and 97%.
Elsewhere, Medihair’s hair loss study found that nearly half of the people expressing interest in the surgery are aged between 35 and 45, making this the most common age group.
Percentage of people interested in hair transplants by age
The 45s and over age group was the next most common, accounting for 25.9% of patients, 1.4 percentage points more than those under 30.
Percentage of hair transplant patients who use minoxidil or finasteride
Hair loss statistics revealed that over 84% of hair transplant patients use finasteride or minoxidil, compared to less than 16% who use one or both of the treatments.
With the usage rates of these highly effective treatments low among hair transplant users, there are likely many people who could’ve avoided paying for costly transplant procedures with the successful use of finasteride or minoxidil.
How has interest changed in hair loss treatments over time?
Chemist4U’s independent study aimed to investigate how public interest in hair loss treatments has evolved.
We analysed search volumes for a range of key treatments from 2016 to 2025 and projected future trends to identify which hair loss options are gaining in popularity.
Hair loss research shows that online interest in finasteride rose substantially between 2016 and 2025. With a search volume of just under 21,000 in 2016, the average monthly searches surpassed 30,000 in 2018, before exceeding 43,000 by 2021.
The average monthly search interest for finasteride by year, 2016-2030
Search interest would rise consistently over the following four years, reaching 67,114 in 2024, before surpassing 75,000 the following year. The latest figure of 75,233 for 2025 represents a 95% increase from 2020 and is more than three times the figure for 2016.
Interest looks set to grow further in the following years, exceeding 90,000 in 2027 before reaching 113,644 by 2030. If projections are correct, average search volumes for finasteride are expected to be around 51% higher in 2030 than in 2025.
The average monthly search interest for hair loss shampoo by year, 2016-2030
Online interest in hair loss shampoo has remained high between 2016 and 2025, despite fluctuations. After recording an average monthly search volume of 2,468 in 2016, interest reached 2,787 by 2018, before surpassing 3,000 the following year.
After exceeding 4,100 in 2021, numbers fell back below 3,800 a year later. The latest figure of 4,003 for 2025 marks a year-on-year rise of just under 2% and is the highest figure recorded since 2021.
Slow growth is projected between 2025 and 2030, with 2028 the only year expected to see an annual drop in search volumes. If the projected 2030 figure of 4,240 proves correct, then search interest in hair loss shampoo is likely to rise by 6% between 2025 and 2030.
The average monthly search interest for hair loss treatments by year, 2016-2030
Overall search interest for hair loss treatments has increased considerably between 2016 and 2025, despite some fluctuations. After a monthly average of 5,265 searches in 2016, the numbers dropped below 5,000 in 2019 before reaching 6,236 the following year.
An annual increase of 29% raised the total to 8,027 in 2021 – the highest figure to date – with numbers expected to fall below 7,500 by 2025.
Interest is expected to rise beyond 2025, with average monthly searches projected to exceed 8,300 by 2030. If correct, then search volumes for hair loss treatments could increase by 12% between 2025 and 2030.
The average monthly search interest for hair transplants by year, 2016-2030
Hair loss statistics indicate that interest in hair transplants increased significantly between 2016 and 2025.
After recording an average monthly search volume of 19,863 in 2016, the number surpassed 21,000 a year later, before reaching 36,060 by 2025. This represents an 82% increase over nine years.
Online interest looks set to continue growing in the coming years, with average monthly searches projected to surpass 44,000 by 2030. If accurate, this would represent a 23% rise over five years.
The average monthly search interest for minoxidil by year, 2016-2030
Interest in minoxidil accelerated between 2016 and 2025, with the average monthly searches increasing from 15,142 to 67,746. This indicates that online interest is over four times greater in 2025 than it was nine years prior, reflecting the growing interest in minoxidil and hair loss treatments in general.
Growth looks set to continue, with average search volumes projected to surpass 90,000 by 2027, before reaching 124,837 in 2030. If correct, then the average monthly searches are expected to be 84% higher in 2030 than in 2025.
Emotional and behavioural effects of hair loss
Over 70% of surveyed men experiencing hair loss considered hair an important feature of their image.
A further 62% felt that losing hair could affect their self-esteem, highlighting the dangers of mental health issues among those with hair loss.
Common views among surveyed men experiencing hair loss
More than two-fifths (43%) believed that hair loss would result in them losing an essential part of their personal attractiveness, with a similar number (42%) expressing a fear of going bald.
Just over a fifth (21%) claimed that hair loss has brought about feelings of depression, with a similar percentage (22%) citing negative effects on their social life.
The mental health effects can be similar or even more significant in women. This is highlighted by a 2025 study that revealed 78% of women with alopecia experienced feelings of shame, anxiety, and depression. A further 85% reported reduced self-esteem, with common feelings including feeling less attractive and unfeminine.
Three in five women with hair loss said they’d avoided social interactions due to embarrassment, emphasising the impact the condition can have on mental and social well-being.
Hair loss can cause more than just mental health issues, with 40% of women with alopecia having experienced marital problems, and just under two-thirds (63%) citing career-related issues.
Treating hair loss in women involves various methods, with 72% citing enhanced confidence and social reintegration as benefits of cosmetic solutions such as wigs, scalp micropigmentation, and hairpieces.
A further 68% cited reduced anxiety and improved coping from psychosocial therapies such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and peer support groups.
"Hair loss can knock your confidence and affect how you feel day-to-day. It's not just about appearance. Your hair is part of your identity and losing it can impact your self-esteem and mental well-being. Many people find that taking action helps them feel more in control and can make a real difference to how they feel."
No. There is currently no evidence suggesting that creatine directly causes hair loss. However, one small 2009 study of the England rugby team linked creatine to an increase in DHT – a hormone that can contribute to hair loss.
However, no major studies have validated this claim, meaning there is no strong evidence linking creatine to hair loss. Chemist4U’s guide on creatine and hair loss covers this subject in more detail.
How much hair loss is normal?
Losing between 50 and 100 hairs per day is considered a normal process of the hair shedding and regrowth cycle. Male or female pattern baldness is only suspected when someone has an average daily hair loss of more than 100 hairs.
Does testosterone cause hair loss?
No, testosterone doesn’t cause hair loss on its own. However, a portion of the body’s testosterone is converted into dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a hormone that can contribute to hair loss in people who are genetically sensitive to it.
Therefore, those with DHT sensitivity may be more prone to hair loss when testosterone is high, as more DHT can be produced.
Which hormone causes hair loss in females?
As with men, dihydrotestosterone (DHT) is the hormone primarily associated with hair loss in women, particularly in cases of female pattern hair loss.
Other hormones, such as oestrogen, cortisol, and progesterone, can also affect hair growth. Therefore, certain life events that cause an increase or change in the volume of these chemicals can also play a role, such as stress, pregnancy, or menopause.
Does dandruff cause hair loss?
No, dandruff doesn’t cause hair loss conditions like male pattern baldness or other forms of alopecia.
However, dandruff can lead to temporary thinning from damaged hair follicles and regular itching or scratching.
How has interest changed in hair loss treatments over time?
Chemist4U used Ahrefs to gather average monthly search volumes for five key hair loss–related keywords from 2016 to 2025. For each keyword, we calculated the average monthly search volume per year using the monthly search data.
To forecast future interest, we analysed Google Trends data for six keywords representing different hair loss treatment options. Using the Prophet forecasting model, we projected these trends up to the year 2030.
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