Hair loss
Thinning, receding, or patchy hair loss. Different types, different treatments.
In short
Hair loss is common and takes several forms. Treatments work best when started early, so an early consultation tends to give better results. Both medical and lifestyle factors play a role.
Overview
What is hair loss?
Hair loss (alopecia) takes several forms. Male pattern baldness (androgenetic alopecia) is the most common, causing gradual thinning at the crown and a receding hairline. Female pattern hair loss causes thinning across the top of the head. Telogen effluvium is temporary shedding after stress, illness, or childbirth. Alopecia areata is patchy autoimmune hair loss. Identifying the type matters, because treatment differs.
Symptoms
Common symptoms
- Gradual thinning at the temples or crown (men)
- A widening parting (women)
- Sudden shedding after a stressful event, illness, or childbirth
- Patchy bald spots
- Itching, redness, or scaling of the scalp
When to act
When to see a doctor
Any noticeable hair loss is worth getting assessed. Treatments work best when started early. Sudden hair loss in particular benefits from prompt investigation to find any underlying cause.
When to seek urgent help
Seek urgent help if
- Sudden total or near-total hair loss
- Loss of eyebrows or eyelashes
- Hair loss with rash, scarring, or scalp pain
- Hair loss in a child (refer paediatrics)
- Women with sudden hair loss plus excessive body hair, acne, or irregular periods (assess for hormonal cause such as PCOS)
Call 999 for life-threatening emergencies or NHS 111 for urgent non-emergency advice.
Treatment
How a private GP can help
- Type assessment and history
- Examination of scalp and hair pattern (in-person appointments)
- Discussion of evidence-based treatment options
- Where appropriate, prescription of finasteride (for men only) or topical minoxidil
- Lifestyle advice on stress, diet, and hair care
- Referral for specialist trichology or dermatology if needed
What we don't do
- Hair transplant procedures (refer to private specialist providers)
- Specialist scalp treatments outside primary care scope
Pricing
What it costs
An online consultation about hair loss starts at £79 for a 20-minute video appointment. In-pharmacy consultations are £129 and home visits are £189. Your consultation includes one private prescription if appropriate, and a sick note for work if needed. You pay the pharmacy separately for any medication.
FAQ
Common questions about hair loss
How long until I see results?
Can women take finasteride?
Are there side effects?
Will my hair loss reverse if I stop treatment?
Ready to talk to a GP about hair loss?
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