Alopecia Hair Loss
Alopecia is the general medical term for hair loss. There are many different types. It is normal to lose between 50 and 100 hairs a day, often without noticing. It is usually nothing to be worried about, but it is often very upsetting.
Hair loss can sometimes be the sign of another medical condition.
Some types of hair loss can be temporary others permanent. Some causes of temporary hair loss can be an underlying medical condition, certain medications, cancer treatments, strict diets and illness.
See below for further information below.
What causes hair loss?
This type of hair loss can be caused by a range of factors, including genetics, hormonal changes, autoimmune conditions, medical issues, medications, stress, and nutritional deficiencies. Depending on the underlying cause, hair follicles may produce weaker, finer hairs over time, or hair may shed more rapidly than usual; in some cases, follicles can become inactive for a period, reducing or stopping hair growth.
In many cases it develops gradually, but some forms can appear more suddenly. Hair loss can be distressing and may contribute to anxiety, low mood, and reduced confidence and self-esteem.
Also find out more about Female Pattern Hair Loss
Hair and scalp conditions treated by our team include:
Treatment options for Hair Loss
Your dermatologist will first check the diagnosis as many things can contribute to hair thinning or make hair loss more obvious. Sometimes blood tests are indicated looking at underlying causes and very occasionally a scalp biopsy is performed.
Treatments can include topical treatments, oral medications or procedures to stimulate hair growth. Your dermatologist will discuss various management options with you which may include oral or topical minoxidil, spironolactone, finasteride, or microneedling with growth factors. They will also advise you which products to use to stimulate hair growth. Hair thinning takes time to stabilise and recover and we encourage a series of photographs to monitor progress.
