Hair Loss Treatment

Hair loss, whether in men or women, can be an incredibly distressing experience. Statistics show that over 80% of men and nearly 50% of women will face some degree of hair loss (alopecia) in their lifetime. For many, this begins well before reaching middle age. Among postmenopausal women, up to two-thirds experience thinning hair or bald patches. One could say that hair loss in women often carries a greater emotional burden than in men due to societal perceptions, making it a particularly challenging issue. Regardless of gender, alopecia can profoundly affect self-esteem and overall quality of life.

Causes of Hair Loss

On average, people lose 50 to 100 hairs daily, but hair loss becomes noticeable when new hair does not grow to replace the fallen strands. The main causes of hair loss are:

Genetics: The most common cause of hair loss is androgenetic alopecia, a hereditary condition that affects both men and women in different patterns as they age.

Hormonal Changes: Changes due to pregnancy, childbirth, menopause, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), or thyroid disorders can cause temporary or permanent hair loss.

Medical Conditions: Conditions like lupus, fungal infections, and autoimmune diseases can lead to symptoms such as sudden hair loss, patchy bald spots, or noticeable thinning.

Medication Side Effects: Certain medications, including cancer chemotherapy drugs, blood thinners, beta-blockers, and lithium, can cause hair loss as a side effect.

Emotional or Physical Stress: Events like illness, surgery, or childbirth can trigger sudden hair loss, such as telogen effluvium.

Harmful Hair Practices: Using harsh hair products or wearing hair tightly pulled back can contribute to hair loss.

Nutritional Deficiencies: A lack of essential nutrients, such as protein, iron, zinc, or biotin, may also lead to hair loss.

Common Types of Hair Loss

Androgenetic alopecia: Also known as hereditary pattern baldness, is the most common hair loss type, affecting men and women. It can develop as early as the teenage years. For men the pattern is the "M"-shaped hairline and thinning at the crown, potentially leading to baldness, while women have diffuse top of scalp thinning, often sparing the hairline.

Telogen Effluvium: This condition involves rapid hair shedding, a few months after significant physical or emotional stress, such as major surgery, prolonged illness, or sudden change in hormone levels, like in women after childbirth. It leads to a diffuse thinning of hair across the scalp, rather than forming bald patches.

Alopecia areata: This is an autoimmune disease that causes hair to fall out in small patches, though the exact cause is still unknown. It is more common in people with other autoimmune diseases. In severe cases, when all the hair is lost from the scalp, it is called alopecia totalis.

Traumatic alopecia: This type of hair loss is caused by certain hairdressing practices, such as repeatedly pulling the hair tight, frequent heat exposure from curling irons or hot rollers, and chemical damage from processes like bleaching or perming.

Diagnosing Hair Loss: 

At Dr Toro Aesthetics we assess, via face-to-face or online consultations, the root cause of your hair loss by considering various factors including your medical history, current medications, nutritional status, lifestyle, hairdressing habits, and examination results. If there's a possibility of an underlying medical condition we may recommend blood tests or if we suspect a scalp infection then we will order a hair sample test. 

For a more comprehensive approach, we highly recommend Trichotest. This test streamlines the process, taking the guesswork out of hair loss treatments by telling us how your genetic profile responds to the different treatments. Our goal is to help you achieve noticeable results in as few as 3-6 months using medical-grade ingredients with scientifically proven efficacy.

Popular Hair Loss Treatments 

Hair loss treatments vary depending on the cause. Some cases only require simple steps, such as stopping certain medications or lifestyle changes like employing gentle hair care practices, managing stress and maintaining a healthy diet. 

Medications are also often the most common approach to treating and preventing further hair loss. We typically recommend starting early and that patients try these hair loss treatments for at least six months. The most commonly used medications for hair loss include:

  • It’s not a medication per se but a revolutionary 6-12 week treatment system designed to awaken dormant hair follicles, increase follicle cell proliferation by 24%, and reduce scalp inflammation by 30 times, promoting regeneration for healthier, fuller hair. Powered by PTT-6®, an advanced formula with over 3,000 growth factors, cytokines, peptides, and exosomes, it restores efficient cell-to-cell communication—often diminished by aging, illness, or nutritional deficiencies—helping hair follicles function like they did in their youth.

    It is ideal for those with thinning, dry, or brittle hair and can be used alone or alongside other hair loss treatments to enhance and support long-term hair growth.

  • Originally developed to treat high blood pressure. It works by improving the delivery of oxygen, blood, and nutrients to hair follicles. This helps extend the anagen (growth) phase of the hair cycle. 

    Results are usually noticeable after two months, with peak effects around four months, though some people may require six to twelve months for optimal results. To maintain the results, continued use is necessary as stopping the treatment will lead to hair loss. We use it mainly for androgenetic alopecia but may also recommend it for other types of hair loss, like patchy alopecia areata and traction alopecia.

  • This is an anti-androgen medication that helps slow hair loss caused by hormones like testosterone. It is often used for women with androgenic alopecia who don't fully respond to minoxidil and is particularly effective for those with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), as they often produce excess androgens. For women of reproductive age, it is used with oral contraceptives to prevent pregnancy, as it can cause birth defects in male fetuses. 

    Results can take up to 6 months for some people, while others may not see improvements until after a year of consistent use. Additionally, it can help treat acne, though noticeable improvement may take around 3 months. If spironolactone is not effective, we may recommend another anti-androgen hair loss treatment, such as finasteride.

  • Also known by the popular brand name Propecia, which is an FDA-approved hair loss treatment in the US and licensed in the UK. It can be taken orally or applied topically and works by reducing dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a hormone that damages hair follicles and causes thinning. Improvement may be noticeable within 3–6 months, but significant results can take up to a year. Like most hair loss solutions to maintain the results, continued use is necessary as stopping the treatment will lead to hair loss. 

  • Originally used to treat enlarged prostates and reduce the risk of prostate cancer, is now prescribed as an oral or topical medication for hair loss. Like Finasteride, it reduces dihydrotestosterone (DHT) in the scalp, slowing the effects of androgenetic alopecia. Dutasteride blocks over 90% of DHT production, helping to prevent, slow, and even reverse hair loss in cases of male pattern baldness. Results may be noticeable within 3-6 months with significant results taking up to a year. In order to maintain results, continued use is necessary as stopping it will lead to hair loss recurring. It is one of the most effective non-surgical treatments for early-stage hair loss, especially for men who do not respond to standard hair loss medications. In some cases, a topical solution may be used for women.

  • Known primarily for its crucial role in regulating the circadian rhythm, melatonin also extends its benefits beyond sleep. Topical melatonin is an antioxidant-rich solution used to treat hair loss by extending the anagen (growth) phase of the hair cycle and reducing scalp inflammation. It is for both men and women with hair thinning or shedding, helping to protect hair follicles from damaging oxidative stress, resulting in a healthier scalp and stronger hair. You would need to use your treatment consistently over at least 3-6 months before seeing noticeable results.

  • This is a topical prescription medication used to treat androgenetic alopecia in both men and women. It works by reducing the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT) locally on the scalp. DHT is the hormone that damages hair follicles and causes thinning in androgenetic alopecia. By lowering DHT levels in the scalp, it helps prevent hair follicle miniaturisation, stimulates hair regrowth, and reduces further hair loss. Hair grows on average a centimetre each month, so you need to be patient and give it at least 4- 6 months before you see the real effects of the topical hair solution and continue the treatment to maintain the results. 

  • Known for its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, azelaic acid also inhibits 5-alpha reductase, reducing the effects of DHT—a key cause of hair loss in androgenetic alopecia. By lowering DHT levels, it extends the anagen (growth) phase of the hair cycle and has been shown in studies to effectively treat conditions like androgenetic alopecia and alopecia areata. A 2023 study found it to be as effective as minoxidil for treating female pattern hair loss, and it is considered safe for use during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

FAQs

  • The best treatment for you depends on the underlying cause of your hair loss, as recommendations can vary. The Calecim Advanced Hair System is a popular choice for those who prefer to avoid medication and can also be used to enhance results when combined with other treatments.

    If you're open to medication, the Trichotest Package is a great option. The Fagron Trichotest along with the included online consultation helps streamline your treatment by identifying how your genetic profile responds to different medications, allowing for a more tailored approach.

    If you're unsure where to start, you can book an in-clinic consultation, schedule an online consultation, or complete our online consultation form to receive a personalised treatment plan and begin your journey to healthier hair.

  • Fagron TrichoTest™ involves a simple DNA mouth swab, advanced genetic analysis, and a personalised report with hair loss treatment recommendations based on your unique genetic profile.

    With the advanced analysis provided by Fagron TrichoTest™, we can pinpoint the hair loss treatments that are most effective and specifically tailored to deliver the best results for you.

  • Dutasteride may be more effective than finasteride for treating androgenetic alopecia in men due to its longer half-life, meaning it stays in the body longer. Although it is not licensed in the UK for hair-loss like finasteride is, dutasteride is commonly used off-label as a hair loss treatment.

    It's also important to note that the effectiveness of these medications in preventing hair loss and promoting regrowth can vary from person to person, as not everyone responds the same way.

  • In most cases, yes. Our topical hair loss solutions can be combined with treatments like Calecim advanced hair system,  laser therapy, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections, and hair transplants, depending on the specific treatment plan.

  • Yes, microneedling can be beneficial for most patients, but it should be done with caution. Using the wrong technique or microneedling too frequently can cause more harm than good. We recommend discussing this during your consultation, where we can provide personalised advice.

  • Yes, for some patients, especially those with dietary restrictions or if deficiencies are identified through blood tests or genetic Trichotest results. We tailor our recommendations based on your individual needs.

Hair loss can be a challenging journey. While there’s no universal cure, remember, every individual’s experience is unique, and finding the best solution starts with exploring options tailored specifically to you!

Or contact us if you have questions