55+ Age-Related Hair Loss Statistics: Male, Female, & Adolescent Baldness
55+ Age-Related Hair Loss Statistics:
Male, Female, & Adolescent Baldness
Miriam Otero
13 min
July 24, 2024
The most common cause of hair loss is androgenic alopecia or male or female pattern hair loss. Did you know it affects 85% of men and 40% of women by age 50? [Source: 21]
Almost everyone experiences hair loss as they age. Hair growth slows down, and strands become thinner and lighter in color. The thick hair of youth becomes delicate and light, and many follicles stop producing new hairs.
Men may begin to show signs of baldness by age 30, with many becoming nearly bald by 60. Male-pattern baldness (MPB), related to testosterone, often causes hair loss at the temples or the top of the head.
Women can also develop similar baldness, known as female-pattern baldness (FPB). Their hair becomes less dense, and the scalp may become visible.
Both men and women experience thinner hair with age, and various types of hair loss can affect people. If you decide to treat it, the treatment will depend on what's causing your thinning hair.
At HAIR & SKIN, we suggest consulting with our doctors to help you choose the best treatments for your problem. In the meantime, we've gathered over 50 statistics on age-related hair loss for you to explore. These insights cover hair loss trends in children, teenagers, and adults to help you better understand the issue.
Top 10 Age-Related Hair Loss Statistics
Hair loss affects both men and women as they age, with about 53% of men and 37% of women experiencing balding after age 65. [Source: 8]
Between 15.5% and 38.5% of teenagers worldwide experience hair loss. [Source: 11]
The percentage of men experiencing moderate to extensive hair loss increases with age, going from 16% in men aged 18-29 to 53% in men aged 40-49. [Source: 9]
Androgenetic alopecia (AA), or common male pattern baldness, causes more than 95% of hair loss in men. [Source: 5]
AA affects men and women of all ages, but over 80% of cases start by age 40, and 40% begin by age 20. [Source: 6]
Only 43% of women over 80 don't show signs of female pattern hair loss (FPHL). [Source: 18]
In children and teens, alopecia areata was most common in those aged 12 to 17, with a yearly rate between 0.149% and 0.165%. It was least common in kids aged 0 to 5, with rates between 0.067% and 0.072%. [Source: 6]
12% of women show signs of FPHL by age 29, 25% by age 49, 41% by age 69, and over 50% by age 79. [Source: 18]
About 25% of men with male pattern baldness start losing their hair before they turn 21. [Source: 5]
In the United Kingdom, 6% of women under 30 have FPHL. For women over 70, the rate increases to 42%. [Source: 18]
Male Pattern Baldness Statistics
Most men with MPB are very unhappy with their situation and would do anything to change it. Hair loss impacts all areas of their life, from personal relationships to job opportunities.
Dr. Arash Mostaghimi, vice chair of clinical trials and innovation in the dermatology department at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, said: “Up to half of men will experience some form of male-pattern baldness by 50, and still more after that. Though our genetics and hormones play major roles in hair loss, the exact mechanisms aren’t fully understood, so treatments to stem and reverse it remain imperfect.”
Androgenetic alopecia (AA), or common MPB, causes more than 95% of hair loss in men. [Source: 5]
By age 35, two-thirds of American men will notice some hair loss. By age 50, about 85% of men will have significantly thinning hair. [Source: 5]
About 25% of men with male pattern baldness start losing their hair before they turn 21. [Source: 5]
In a study on the prevalence of male pattern hair loss in men aged 18-49, they found:
42% of men experienced moderate to extensive hair loss (type III or higher). [Source: 9]
The percentage of men experiencing moderate to extensive hair loss increases with age, going from 16% in men aged 18-29 to 53% in men aged 40-49. [Source: 9]
12% of the men were found to have mainly frontal baldness (type A). [Source: 9]
Hair loss can start during puberty and affects about 80% of European men at some point in their lives. [Source: 17]
Two early twin studies estimated the heritability (h2) of male pattern hair loss (MPHL) as 0.81 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.77–0.85) in families with early-onset MPHL (ages 2536) and 0.79 (95% CI 0.4–0.85) in older men (over 70). [Source: 17]
But how do you treat MPHL?
At HAIR & SKIN, we offer autohemotherapy for full, healthy hair. Whether it's diffuse hair loss or hereditary alopecia, our experts provide free consultations to explore your options.
Female Pattern Hair Loss Statistics
Female pattern hair loss (FPHL) is a progressive hair thinning that mainly affects the scalp's front, center, and sides. FPHL gradually reduces the number of hairs, but the frontal hairline is usually preserved.
Dr. Maryanne Makredes Senna, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist based in Boston who specialises in hair loss research, says, “I saw firsthand how devastating [hair loss] can be, particularly for women. Men can be bald and still be considered hot, but there’s no cultural acceptance around that for women.”
A 2023 study on alopecia areata (AA) in the US found:
Prevalence rates of AA were higher in females (95% CI, 0.252%–0.271%) compared to males (0.145%–0.171%), with a more noticeable difference among adults than in children and adolescents. [Source: 6]
In a 2022 study on the prevalence of female pattern hair loss in postmenopausal women, researchers found:
The average age of participants was 58.8 years, and they had been menopausal for an average of 9.2 years. The prevalence of FPHL was 52.2% (95% CI: 44.6-59.8). [Source: 7]
According to Ludwig, the severity of FPHL was 73.2% for grade I, 22.6% for grade II, and 4.3% for grade III. [Source: 7]
By age 50, around 40% of women experience female pattern hair loss (FPHL). [Source: 10]
64 patients (ages 20–88) with FPHL visited the UCLA hair clinic between November 2012 and June 2013. They reported on the severity of their condition, any history of thyroid disease, and whether they had acne or hirsutism. [Source: 10]
Around 6% to 38% of healthy women experience hair loss in the front or front-parietal areas. [Source: 18]
FPHL typically begins during a woman's reproductive years, later than it usually starts in men. [Source: 18]
12% of women show signs of FPHL by age 29, 25% by age 49, 41% by age 69, and over 50% by age 79. [Source: 18]
In the United Kingdom, 6% of women under 30 have FPHL. For women over 70, the rate increases to 42%. [Source: 18]
Only 43% of women over 80 don't show signs of FPHL. [Source: 18]
A prospective cohort study recruited women from postpartum wards in hospitals across four UAE emirates. They completed questionnaires right after childbirth, and again at 3 and 6 months postpartum. [Source: 8] This is what they found:
A total of 457 women participated in the study, with 399 (87.3%) completing the 3-month questionnaire and 374 (81.2%) completing the 6-month questionnaire. [Source: 8]
Over half of the women (64.5%, n=295) had a university degree, and 61% (n=278) were unemployed. [Source: 8]
Concerning maternal and infant characteristics, 34.7% (159 women) reported pregnancy complications. Most were multiparous (77.2%, 353 women), had vaginal deliveries (59%, 270 women), and were either overweight or obese (50.1%, 229 women). [Source: 8]
Only 70% of newborns were breastfed within the first hour of birth (n=320). Among them, 51% were males (n=233), and 88.4% (n=404) weighed between 2500 and 4000 grams, with an average weight of 3.16 ± 1.48 kg. [Source: 8]
The prevalence of postpartum depression symptoms (EPDS > 12) over the 6-month period was 35% (160 out of 457). [Source: 8]
In the US, AA affects more females than males, with a significant difference in adults compared to younger populations. For FPHL, postmenopausal women exhibit a high prevalence, with over half experiencing some degree of hair thinning. Severity varies, with the majority having mild symptoms. Hair loss generally starts later in women than men but increases with age, affecting nearly half of women by age 50. These findings highlight the need for targeted awareness and treatment options for hair loss in women.
Hair Loss Statistics by Age Group
AA affects men and women of all ages, but it usually starts by age 40 in over 80% of cases and by age 20 in 40%. While many people with AA recover within a year, around 4.5% to 36.1% may develop Alopecia Totalis (AT) or Alopecia Universalis (AU). [Source: 19]
Living with AA can impact quality of life, social interactions, and mental health, and it can be costly for both patients and healthcare systems.
Hair Loss in Children and Teenagers
Hair loss in children and teenagers can seriously impact their self-esteem and mental health and affect their relationships with peers. Fortunately, many causes of hair loss in children and adolescents are treatable.
Between 15.5% and 38.5% of teenagers worldwide experience hair loss. [Source: 11]
Ten dermatologists from across the United States examined the scalps of 496 boys aged 15 to 17. They assessed the boys' hair loss using a modified version of the Hamilton-Norwood scale, a well-known male pattern hair loss rating system. [Source: 12]
Stage 1 on the Hamilton-Norwood scale shows a straight hairline and a full head. Stage 2 reflects the regular reshaping of the frontal hairline after puberty. Hair loss beyond Stage 2 indicates early thinning at the front and top of the scalp, possibly with more noticeable receding at the temples.
Out of 496 boys, 77 (15.5%) were classified as having stage 2 or higher hair loss on the Hamilton-Norwood scale. [Source: 12]
70 boys (14.1%) showed early signs of AGA (androgenetic alopecia). [Source: 12]
Another study surveyed 84 clinicians who reported on 448 adolescents with AGA. Among them were 341 boys and 107 girls seeking treatment for thinning hair. Hair loss in this group started between the ages of 7 and 17, with an average onset age of 14.8 years for boys and 13.8 years for girls. [Source: 12]
In a study on pediatric androgenetic alopecia, 12 females and 11 males were included, with an average age of 15.3 years (ranging from 10 to 21 years). They found: [Source: 13]
Sixteen patients had adolescent AGA (eight females and eight males), averaging 16.3 years (11-21 years). Seven patients had childhood AGA (four females and three males), with an average age of 12.9 years (12-19 years). [Source: 13]
Nine out of sixteen adolescents with AGA (six males, three females) had a first-degree relative with patterned hair loss. [Source: 13]
Fourteen patients (60.9%) with pediatric AGA (10 adolescents and four children, eight females and six males) had at least one risk factor for MetS. [Source: 13]
Obesity or being overweight was the only MetS risk factor in eight patients (34.8%), including five adolescents and three children, with six females and five males. [Source: 13]
Of the remaining five patients with adolescent AGA, two were obese or overweight with insulin resistance (IR), and one of them also had hypertension. Two had high fasting blood glucose and IR, and one was obese with high fasting blood glucose. [Source: 13]
The prevalence of AA in children and adolescents is estimated to be 1.83% (95% CI: [1.21–2.58]), which is notably higher than in adults. [Source: 14]
Dr. Andrea Hui, a San Francisco dermatologist, said, “Both men and women as young as 18 years old are asking her for help in combating hair loss.”
New York hairstylist Angelo David told the New York Post, "An increasing number of his younger clients are expressing concerns with thinning hair and receding hairlines.”
About 20% of alopecia areata patients are under 16, and 1-2% develop it before age 2. [Source: 20]
There isn't a consistently effective treatment for AA, and there are even fewer options available for children.
Children under ten years usually respond well to topical steroids. [Source: 20]
For children over 10 with small areas of hair loss, intralesional steroid injections can be tried if they can tolerate them. [Source: 20]
In a study involving 13 patients aged 12-17, 9 (70%) experienced significant hair regrowth after six months of treatment. [Source: 20]
While long-term side effects, including potential cancer risks, need to be discussed with patients and their families, the initial side effects were generally mild. These included upper respiratory infections, headaches, and temporary mild increases in liver enzymes, which returned to normal even with ongoing tofacitinib treatment. [Source: 20]
Trichotillomania can affect children under 6, but it's most common in kids aged 9-13, especially girls. [Source: 20]
Hair loss is a significant issue for many teenagers, starting as early as age seven, and often influenced by genetics. Both boys and girls frequently seek treatment for androgenetic alopecia. While some treatments are available, particularly for older teens, younger children have limited options.
According to Dr Rasya Dixit, Consultant Dermatologist & Cosmetologist in India, “Teenage is a very stressful age as it is, and when hair fall also occurs, teenagers get more stressed. So, one of the most common causes of hair falling in teenagers is the changing hormonal profile in children and the growing health needs.”
The psychological impact during these formative years highlights the need for early diagnosis and supportive care.
Hair Loss in Your 20s and over (20+ years old)
Stress, diet, and hair treatments are reasons why younger people are experiencing hair loss earlier.
AA affects men and women of all ages, but over 80% of cases start by age 40, and 40% begin by age 20. [Source: 6]
The same 2023 study on AA in the US found:
Prevalence was higher in adults (0.220%-0.245%) than in children and adolescents (0.120%-0.135%) and higher in the Northeast (0.273%-0.305%) than in other regions (0.155%-0.222%). [Source: 6]
In children and teens, alopecia areata was most common in those aged 12 to 17, with a yearly rate between 0.149% and 0.165%. It was least common in kids aged 0 to 5, with rates between 0.067% and 0.072%. [Source: 6]
The annual prevalence of AA was highest in adults aged 18 to 44 (0.254%-0.278%) and lowest in those aged 65 and older (0.150%-0.167%). [Source: 6]
In 40% of patients, the first signs of AA appear by age 20. [Source: 14]
Dr. Doris Day, MD, of Day Dermatology & Aesthetics and author of Beyond Beautiful, believes stress is a significant factor in millennial hair loss.
“Stress can interrupt hair growth by prematurely moving hairs out of the growth phase. This can cause higher amounts of hair to fall out,” said Dr Day.
Hair loss affects both men and women as they age, with about 53% of men and 37% of women experiencing balding after age 65. [Source: 8]
AGA affects up to 80% of men and 50% of women over their lifetime, becoming more familiar with age. [Source: 8]
By age 30, up to 30% of white men will have AGA, up to 50% by age 50, and 80% by age 70. [Source: 16]
AA affects people of all ages, mostly starting before 40. It's more common in adults and varies by region, highest in the Northeast. Young adults aged 18 to 44 are most affected. Stress is a significant factor in hair loss, especially among millennials. AGA is widespread, increasing with age, with a significant percentage of men and women experiencing hair loss by mid-life.
Frequently asked questions
Is hair loss a normal part of the aging process?
Hair loss in older adults is a normal part of aging and is usually nothing to worry about. It's also common for your hair's texture and thickness to change as you age. [Source: 1]
What causes hair loss as we age?
Genetics: Your hair thickness is mainly determined by genetics. If your family has a specific hair type, you likely have it too. While genetics play a big role, it's not a certainty, as traits can vary and sometimes skip generations.
Health: Your health affects hair thickness. A healthy lifestyle and good nutrition lead to thicker hair. Illnesses like chemotherapy and pregnancy can temporarily thin hair due to the body's redirected resources.
Environmental Conditions: Environmental factors like sun exposure, chemicals, and heat styling impact hair thickness. People in sunnier regions have thicker hair due to more melanin, while overexposure and treatments can make hair finer. [Source: 2]
Can natural remedies help with age-related hair changes?
Natural products like oils for hydration and herbal supplements can benefit hair health. However, they are complementary and not a cure for age-related hair changes. [Source: 3]
What age does hair loss start in women?
Women can start experiencing female pattern hair loss in their 20s and 30s, but it typically becomes a noticeable problem in their 50s. [Source: 4]
Can you reverse hair loss in women?
The treatment for hair loss depends on its cause. There's no cure for hereditary female pattern hair loss (androgenetic alopecia), but you can slow it down as you age. If your hair loss is due to stress (telogen effluvium) or sudden hormonal changes from childbirth, don't worry—your hair should return to normal over time. [Source: 4]
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