Understanding hair fall treatment
Losing around 50 to 100 hairs a day is normal. What matters is whether shedding has increased, whether density has visibly reduced, and whether there is a pattern — a widening parting, a receding hairline, or diffuse thinning all over.
Common causes include androgenetic (pattern) hair loss, telogen effluvium after illness, surgery, childbirth or crash dieting, iron or vitamin D deficiency, thyroid disease, and scalp conditions such as seborrhoeic dermatitis. Several can coexist.
This is why treatment that starts with a procedure rather than a diagnosis so often disappoints. Correcting a deficiency or treating a scalp condition may resolve shedding entirely, while pattern hair loss needs long-term management.
This may suit you if
- Noticeably increased shedding on the pillow, in the shower or while combing
- A widening parting or reducing ponytail thickness
- Hair fall after illness, fever, childbirth or weight loss
- Itchy, flaky or oily scalp along with hair fall
What happens at the clinic
- 1
History and examination
Your pattern of loss, recent illnesses, medication, diet and family history are reviewed, and your scalp and hair are examined closely.
- 2
Investigations where indicated
Blood tests — commonly for iron stores, thyroid function and vitamin D — are advised only when they would change the treatment.
- 3
Treatment plan
Medical treatment is prescribed for the diagnosed cause, along with scalp care. In-clinic procedures are added when they are genuinely indicated.
- 4
Review at intervals
Hair responds slowly. You are reviewed at eight to twelve week intervals, with photographs where useful to track change.
Aftercare
- Take prescribed medication and supplements consistently
- Use the shampoo and scalp treatment advised, at the frequency advised
- Avoid tight hairstyles, harsh chemical treatments and frequent heat styling
- Expect a lag — hair growth is measured in months, not weeks
Possible side effects
- Temporary increased shedding in the first weeks of some treatments, which settles
- Scalp irritation from topical treatments
- Medication-specific effects, discussed before prescribing
- Incomplete regrowth where follicles have been lost over many years