Hair loss is one of the most common changes the body goes through, and one of the least talked about. Most people who notice it spend months, sometimes years, quietly checking the mirror before doing anything.

Key takeaways

  • Male pattern hair loss affects around 30% of men by about 30 and half by 50, and female pattern hair loss is common too.
  • Some hair loss has other causes, like thyroid problems, low iron or tight hairstyles, so getting the cause right comes first.
  • Established treatments work, but they take six to 12 months to judge and only keep working while you use them. The earlier you start, the more hair there is to keep.
30%of men have pattern hair loss by about age 301Review of male pattern hair loss
50%of men have it by age 501Review of male pattern hair loss
12%of women in their twenties have female pattern hair loss2Clinical review
2 in 100people get alopecia areata at some point in their lives3UK population study

When it startsIt starts earlier than you think

Male pattern hair loss affects around 30% of men by about age 30, and 50% by 50. It usually begins in a man’s twenties and tends to progress with age.1

Women aren’t spared. Female pattern hair loss, usually seen as a widening parting or thinner hair over the top of the head, affects about 12% of women in their twenties and more than half of women over 80.2

Some hair loss has other causes.

Alopecia areataThe immune system attacks hair follicles and causes patches of loss. About 2 in every 100 people get it at some point.3
Heavy sheddingCan follow illness, childbirth or major weight loss, and usually settles.4
Thyroid and low ironBoth can cause hair loss, so they’re worth checking.4
Tight hairstylesCan cause lasting damage along the hairline.5

Why it mattersMore than cosmetic

It’s easy to call hair loss cosmetic. The people living with it often don’t feel that way. Research shows it has a real impact on quality of life, especially for younger men who’ve only recently noticed it.1

Treating the wrong problem wastes months. Getting the cause right comes first.

The evidenceWhat works

For pattern hair loss, the evidence is solid. A large review found established hair-loss medicines, one applied to the scalp and one taken as a tablet, helped men slow loss and in many cases regrow hair.6

Women reporting at least moderate regrowth (approximate)

Standard scalp treatment1 in 4
Dummy treatment1 in 7

Cochrane review of treatments for female pattern hair loss.7

Two things matter. Hair treatment is slow, and some medicines have side effects worth discussing properly first.

StartThe earlier you start, the more hair there is to keep.
Six to 12 monthsThe time it takes to judge whether treatment is working.8
Keep goingTreatment only keeps working while you use it.8

Worth discussing firstSome hair-loss medicines can affect mood and sexual function, and some aren’t safe in pregnancy or when breastfeeding.8,9

How Oryx helpsThe right diagnosis, then the right plan

Dr Vincent Ehlers, one of our co-founders, has hair restoration as part of his practice.10

An Oryx doctor will work out which type of hair loss you have, check for other causes, and explain the options for your pattern, including what to expect and when.

More about hair restoration at Oryx

Programmes fromR295per month

QuestionsFrequently asked questions

At what age does hair loss usually start?

Male pattern hair loss usually begins in a man’s twenties. It affects around 30% of men by about age 30 and 50% by 50.

Do women get pattern hair loss?

Yes. Female pattern hair loss, usually a widening parting or thinner hair over the top of the head, affects about 12% of women in their twenties and more than half of women over 80.

Does hair loss treatment work?

For pattern hair loss, the evidence is solid. A large review found established medicines helped men slow loss and in many cases regrow hair. In women, about one in four using the standard scalp treatment reported at least moderate regrowth.

How long does hair loss treatment take to work?

It takes six to 12 months to judge whether treatment is working, and it only keeps working while you use it.

Are there side effects?

Some hair-loss medicines can affect mood and sexual function, and some aren’t safe in pregnancy or when breastfeeding. Your doctor will discuss this with you before you start.

How much does the Oryx hair programme cost?

Hair programmes start from R295 a month. Your doctor will give you the full cost before you commit.

Noticed more in the brush, or less in the mirror? Start with the free two-minute eligibility check.

The free eligibility check takes two minutes, it’s private, and there’s no obligation. If you’re a good fit, you’ll speak to one of our doctors.

Start your free eligibility check

Questions first?WhatsApp +27 74 789 8383hello@oryx.health

References

  1. Cortez GL et al. Male androgenetic alopecia. An Bras Dermatol 2025
  2. Female pattern hair loss: current treatment concepts (citing Gan DCC, Sinclair RD, 2005). Clin Interv Aging 2007
  3. Lifetime incidence and healthcare disparities in alopecia areata: a UK population-based cohort study. Br J Dermatol 2024
  4. American Academy of Dermatology. Hair loss causes
  5. American Academy of Dermatology. Hairstyles and hair loss
  6. Adil A, Godwin M. The effectiveness of treatments for androgenetic alopecia: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Am Acad Dermatol 2017
  7. van Zuuren EJ et al. Interventions for female pattern hair loss. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2016
  8. American Academy of Dermatology. Female pattern hair loss
  9. MHRA. Drug Safety Update, 2024
  10. Oryx. Meet your doctors