Hair Loss: Causes, Assessment and Treatment Options
Hair loss can be gradual, sudden, diffuse or patchy. Pattern hair loss, temporary shedding, alopecia areata, scalp inflammation and other medical causes need different advice, so a webpage or photograph cannot identify the cause.
Start by describing the type of hair loss.
Several causes can overlap. The pattern, timing, scalp symptoms and medical history help decide what should happen next.
Hair loss is a symptom with several possible causes.
Read more about Hair loss assessment Treatment details and clinical context
Some daily hair shedding is normal. A noticeable change in density, widening parting, receding hairline, increased shedding or discrete patches may reflect different conditions and should not be diagnosed from marketing copy.
Pattern hair loss is usually gradual. Male pattern hair loss often affects the frontal hairline and top of the scalp; female pattern hair loss more often causes diffuse thinning over the top with a wider central parting. The scalp skin is usually normal, but other conditions can mimic these patterns.
Telogen effluvium can follow illness, childbirth, marked weight loss, surgery, major stress or a medicine change. Alopecia areata usually causes non-scarring patches and can also affect beard, eyebrows, eyelashes or body hair. Pain, scale, redness, pustules or visible scarring need medical attention because inflammatory or scarring causes require different care.
The NHS advises seeing a GP to understand the cause before going to a commercial hair clinic. A medical history and scalp examination may be enough; selected people may need blood tests, dermatology referral or another assessment.
Treatment depends on the diagnosis, goals, health, medicines and pregnancy potential. Options can include observation, addressing a trigger or deficiency, scalp or hair care, camouflage, a licensed medicine discussed with an appropriate clinician, a procedure, surgery or no treatment. No option can be promised to restore all lost hair.
Platelet-rich plasma and microneedling are private procedures. British Association of Dermatologists patient guidance describes PRP benefit as uncertain and microneedling evidence as very limited. Possible procedure harms include pain, bleeding, bruising, swelling, infection, pigment change, scarring and no meaningful benefit.
Dr Sknn has active clinics in Wilmslow and Didsbury. Leigh is closed. Hair-loss consultation rows are configured for Doctor, Nurse and Qualified Practitioner at both active clinics; specific treatments have their own role and clinic restrictions and must be checked in the live booking journey.
A cause-led consultation.
The discussion should identify the pattern and possible cause before selecting a product or procedure.
01 Describe the change
Explain when it began, whether loss is gradual, sudden, diffuse or patchy, and any scalp symptoms, illness, childbirth, weight change, stress, medicines or family history.
02 Examine and triage
The clinician assesses distribution, hair calibre and scalp skin, then explains whether primary care, blood tests, dermatology or another route may be more appropriate.
03 Compare suitable options
Discuss realistic benefit, evidence limits, risks, time, ongoing use, recovery and cost. The outcome may be treatment, referral, monitoring or no intervention.
Explore real patient results.
Browse the clinic's current skin, face, body and hair results. Every result is individual, and your clinician will explain what may be realistic for you.
What patients say about Dr Sknn.
Recent public Google feedback and verified Pabau appointment reviews. Reviews describe individual experiences and do not guarantee a particular treatment outcome.
Sources used for this guide.
The sources distinguish types of hair loss, evidence limits and public advertising restrictions.
NHS overview and when to seek assessment
The NHS explains common causes, advises seeing a GP before a commercial hair clinic and states that no treatment is 100% effective.
Pattern hair loss
BAD patient leaflets describe typical male and female patterns, diagnosis, treatment limits and the limited evidence for private procedures.
Diffuse and patchy hair loss
BAD patient information describes telogen effluvium and alopecia areata and why their course and management differ.
Advertising and medicine safeguards
ASA/CAP guidance explains that hair-loss types must not be overgeneralised and prescription-only medicines cannot be advertised to the public.
Sources were checked on 15 September 2026. They support general patient information and do not establish an individual diagnosis or treatment outcome.
What an assessment may distinguish.
These descriptions are not a diagnosis, and more than one pattern can be present.
View treatment areas and concerns 5 options covered on this page
Frequently asked questions.
Answers are general and cannot replace an individual medical assessment.
What can cause hair loss?
Should I see a GP before a hair clinic?
Can hair loss be cured?
Does platelet-rich plasma regrow hair?
Does scalp microneedling treat hair loss?
Can I choose a medicine from this page?
Where can Dr Sknn assess hair loss?
How much is a consultation?
Check the cause and current options before choosing a route.
Use the live Dr Sknn pricing board to compare current consultation and treatment families. The booking journey confirms exact clinic and practitioner availability before you commit.