David Satchell, who runs the Eucaderm clinic in West Terrace, has seen children as young as three affected by the distressing and debilitating condition.
And at the age of 15 he was involved in a serious car accident — six months later his previously healthy hair started to drop out.
'No explanation or hope was given,' he said. 'A hairdresser told me that by the time I reached 21 I wouldn't have a single hair on my head, which was absolutely devastating news for a teenager.'
David went on to become a Vidal Sassoon-trained hair stylist and it was there he was advised to see a trichologist.
The visit to the scalp expert was a turning point and whilst some of his hair loss was irreversible, his hair never completely fell out.
David's career took him on to be a stylist for various glossy magazines, including Italian Vogue and French Elle.
But his personal experience soon pointed him in the direction of training to become a trichologist.
He has devoted the last 25 years to researching hair loss and scalp conditions, creating a live enzyme supplement with a 80 per cent success rate.
And next month he is jetting out to Singapore on the first leg of his year-long tour to lecture on alopecia.
Before the summer he will also visit Italy, Poland and the USA.
David, whose other inventions include the cordless styling brush used by millions of women, will address audiences on every aspect of his treatment.
'I have studied and treated alopecia sufferers for many years now and during that time I have seen many lotions and potions come and go on the market,' he said.
'Although I do have a great respect for the advancement of medical science treating alopecia in the natural way has proven to be far more successful.'