Hair loss is a common condition that affects 6.5 million men and 8 million women in the UK alone. Whether it’s due to stress, medication, health conditions, or hereditary factors, the causes of hair loss or alopecia are complex.

Find out the most common types of hair loss, the medications that contribute to it and how sebamed anti-hairloss shampoo has been scientifically proven to support hair loss. Plus we’ll answer some frequently asked questions. 

Understanding Hair Loss

On average, people have around 100,000 hairs on their head. It’s considered normal to lose around 100 hairs per day, however if shedding exceeds this amount consistently or if customers notice patchiness, thinning or changes in hair texture - then it could be a concern. Here are three most common types of hair loss or alopecia.

Diffuse Hairloss / Alopecia
Diffuse hair loss or alopecia can cause thinning across the entire scalp and is often triggered by;

• Stress
• Poor nutrition
• Health complaints, like infections or thyroid imbalances
• Skin conditions, like psoriasis
• Medication, like chemotherapy
  

Circular Hairloss / Alopecia Areata
Circular hair loss / alopecia areata occurs in sudden, round patches of baldness. It’s not fully understood why this occurs but it’s thought to be related to an autoimmune issue where the body mistakenly attacks hair follicles. 

Hereditary Hairloss / Androgenetic Alopecia
This is the most common type of hair loss, especially in men. It’s linked to genetics and hormones and develops gradually before following a typical pattern, i.e receding hairline or thinning of the crown. 

Medication-related hair loss
Some prescription drugs can cause hair loss as a side effect, which often patients are unaware of. There are two types of medications that can contribute to hair loss:

Anagen Effluvium - Sudden and severe loss of hair in the growth phase which can happen often with chemotherapy drugs. Often starting days or weeks after treatment begins.

Telogen Effluvium - hair loss happens more gradually, appearing after several months of medication use and causes hair to prematurely enter the telogen (resting) phase.
These are the most common medications associated with hair loss or alopecia

• Anti-arthritis / immunosuppressants: methotrexate, azathioprine, colchicine.
• Antibiotics: gentamicin, chloramphenicol, ethionamide
• Antiepileptics: carbamazepine, phenytoin, valproic acid
• Anticoagulants: warfarin, heparin
• Antihistamines & antispasmodics: cimetidine, ranitidine
• Beta-blockers: propranolol, atenolol, metoprolol
• Anti-inflammatories: aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen
• Thyreostatics: carbimazole, thiouracil
  

Hairloss and Chemotherapy

One of the most common side effects of chemotherapy is hair loss. It can affect both the scalp and the body and it occurs due to the inhibition of rapidly dividing cells in hair follicles - affecting the hairs that are in the anagen (growth) phase. These are the most common chemotherapy drugs that cause hair loss or alopecia;

• Doxorubicin (60–100%)
• Cyclophosphamide (over 60%)
• 5-Fluorouracil (10–50%)
  

Hairloss and Pregnancy

Around 40-50% of women experience some form of hair loss during pregnancy. This is because high oestrogen levels prolong the growth phase, giving the impression of thicker hair, while after birth, hormone levels drop and all the hair that was initially ‘on hold’ may shed all at once. This occurs around three months postpartum, but does return to normal within 6-12 months.

Hairloss and Menopause

Hairloss is really common in menopause, affecting approx 50% of women. As oestrogen and progesterone levels decline, hair growth slows down and hair strands become thinner and more prone to shedding. These changes in hairloss means that not only does hair shed more easily it also grows back more slowly - resulting in a gradual loss of hair over time. 

How does sebamed Anti-hairloss Shampoo benefit hairloss or alopecia patients?

sebamed anti-hairloss shampoo benefits hair loss patients due to a number of factors; 

Improves scalp circulation to nourish hair roots
One of the most impressive elements of the anti-hairloss shampoo is the NHE Formula plus a blend of nourishing ingredients that have been specially designed to create the optimal conditions for hair growth. 

Nicotinic Acid Hexyl Ester (NHE) - a vasodilator, meaning it widens blood vessels in the scalp to stimulate microcirculation - helping deliver more oxygen and nutrients to hair follicles. 

Caffeine - helps stimulate the hair root activity to prolong the anagen (growth) phase of the hair cycle. It’s also known to counteract the effects of DHT - a hormone linked to hereditary hair loss.

Ginkgo Biloba Extract – a natural antioxidant that further boosts circulation and protects the scalp from oxidative stress.

Together these ingredients work to activate the scalp’s blood circulation, provide the optimal growth conditions for strong, healthy hair and strengthen the hair shaft and root to reduce hair loss and support natural regrowth.

Maintains a healthy scalp with pH 5.5
Unlike many other shampoos that contain high pH’s that irritate and dry the scalp, sebamed anti-hairloss shampoo is formulated at pH 5.5 which matches the natural pH of the skin. When skin becomes too alkaline or too acidic, it can damage the acid mantle, the skin’s natural barrier, and lead to skin problems such as irritation, inflammation and dryness. 

Clinically proven results
In a 6-month German study using the anti-hairloss shampoo, key results included:

• Telogen phase (shedding) decreased from 28% to below 20%.
• 93% of users reported fuller hair.
• 90% reduction in hair loss.
• Dermatologists rated improvements in hair structure as “good” or “excellent”.
  

While in a 100-centre Indian study with 446 participants, results demonstrated:

• 95% of healthcare professionals reported reduced hair fall.
• 93% improved hair growth.
• 90% increase in hair density.
• Improvements were noted as early as 8–12 weeks with regular use (2–3 times weekly).

Pharmacist FAQs

Q: How long does it take to see results?

A: Most participants in the studies noticed visible changes after 8-12 weeks of regular use, with optimal benefits at 16 weeks. 

Q: Is it suitable for sensitive skin?

A: Yes - absolutely. sebamed anti-hairloss shampoo is suitable for sensitive skin as it is soap-free, alkali-free and  free from colourants. All we advise is that you use a small amount of shampoo if you have sensitive skin as too much may irritate or cause a reddening of the scalp. 

Q: Will it help if they’ve lost a lot of hair already

A: sebamed anti-hairloss shampoo is most effective when hair follicles are still active but weakened. It won't grow hair in areas of total follicle inactivity, but it can help reduce ongoing hair loss and strengthen existing hair. 

Q: Can I use it every day? 

A: Yes, although for sensitive scalps, it’s best to start with every other day.