Hair loss

Alopecia is not strictly speaking a diagnosis but a medical term that simply means ‘hair loss’. There are several causes of alopecia and it is best to seek professional advice either from your GP or from a Dermatologist in order to establish the cause of alopecia and ascertain potential treatment options.

Hair loss consultations

We offer consultation with a Consultant Dermatologist with a special interest in hair loss. This is firstly to to establish a diagnosis. Using their comprehensive knowledge and training in skin and hair disorders, the Dermatologist will take a history and examine your scalp. Additional tests that may be undertaken include a trichoscope, blood tests and scalp biopsies.

• Find out more about our hair loss consultations here.

What are the causes of hair loss?

The most common causes are:

• Male pattern hair loss
• Female pattern hair loss
• Acute telogen effluvium
• Chronic telogen effluvium
• Drug induced
• Alopecia areata
• Traction and chemical alopecia
• Skin disoders causing inflammation on the scalp

This list is not exhaustive, and several other conditions are known to cause hair loss.

Can hair loss be treated?

This depends on the cause. Certain forms of hair loss, such as acute telogen effluvium, are self resolving.

Chronic telogen effluvium, if caused by an underlying metabolic abnormality, such as thyroid disease, can be improved if the underlying cause is treated.

Other causes such as alopecia areata, can sometimes be controlled with creams or injections. Male and female pattern hair loss can be slowed down with lotions, prescription medications and hair transplantation.

Inflammatory scalp disorders can be controlled in some individuals if they are caught early, but once scarring has developed the hair loss can be permanent and requires hair transplantation.

• Find out more about Steroid Injections for hair loss
• Find out more about Oral Minoxidil for hair loss
• Find out more about Finasteride for male androgenetic alopecia