'I have female pattern baldness - but four products have helped stop my hair thinning'

Experiencing hair loss is an upsetting, distressing situation for anyone to deal with, but it can be especially harrowing for young women.

There can be a number of reasons for experiencing hair loss - be it temporary or permanent - and it is actually normal to lose some hair. According to the NHS, “we can lose between 50 and 100 hairs a day, often without noticing”.

Hair loss, though usually nothing to be overly concerned about, can sometimes be a sign of a medical issue. Some types of hair loss are permanent, like male and female pattern baldness. This type of loss is usually hereditary.

Other temporary hair loss can be caused by many factors, such as an illness, stress, iron deficiency, weight loss, or side effects from cancer treatment. TikTok user @elena.fofo is dealing with androgenetic alopecia - also known as female pattern hair loss - which is a genetic condition causing progressive hair loss on the scalp.

It’s relatively common and affects up to 50% of people. In women, it usually starts before the age of 40. It usually presents itself with a wider part in the middle of the scalp, and thinning hair at the crown and top of the head. The hairline at the front isn’t typically affected. It can lead to low self esteem and other issues.

TikTok content creator Elena has been documenting her journey to improve the look and growth of her hair. In one video, she shared a list of products and techniques she’s implemented as part of her routine, with impressive results.

In the footage, she used a scalp scrubber and advised: “Only use a scalp scrubber on a dry scalp, [it] causes breakage to fragile hair when hair is wet”. Elena said she was prescribed a Minoxidil-based scalp treatment but said The Ordinary offers a “cheap