Dandruff is caused by dead skin cells falling off your scalp which can be seen as white-grey flakes on your scalp, in your hair and sometimes on your clothes. It can also cause symptoms of an itchy scalp. It is very common and not linked to hair cleanliness although more flakes may build up with the less you wash your hair. Dandruff is a type of seborrhoeic dermatitis that also causes a red, greasy, flakey rash over the nose and cheeks. In the majority of cases, dandruff can be treated at home. Extreme weather conditions, such as when hot, cold or dry may cause dandruff, and stress can worsen the condition in some people. Dandruff is not contagious.

Hair loss can cause distress and a sense of premature ageing in men, as it often appears in your 30s or 40s, at a time when you feel healthy and young, and are striving in your career, relationships and family life. It's very common, with half of all men in their 50s having visible hair loss. It's usually part of the natural ageing process and mediated by hormones. Everyone wants to know what they can do to halt the process, or even to regain their locks. Let’s talk you through the options, and the less common causes of an underlying medical condition.

For most, the abundance of oestrogen causes a slowing down of hair shedding, and many women report increased volume and lustrous locks during pregnancy. But this isn’t so for all – the relative stress to the body in the first trimester may cause hair loss, but this is only evident later in the pregnancy. This will come back – you’ll notice regrowth two to four months after baby is delivered.

If your nails turn up at the sides, in the shape of a spoon, this is known as koilonychia. It may be something that runs in your family, but it can also point to a medical condition. Iron deficiency anaemia is the most common of these, so it’s worth getting a blood test to check, or topping up your iron levels with supplements to see if this improves your nail condition. Other more unusual medical conditions can occasionally cause koilonychia, so if you have any other symptoms or concerns, you can discuss this with your doctor.

Hair is a huge part of a woman’s identity and we are constantly bombarded with images of long sleek locks with plenty of volume. Understandably loss of hair can cause women a great deal of anxiety. There can be telling signs that this is an inevitable part of an ageing process, so let’s talk through what to look for, and consider any reversible causes.