Hair loss

Alopecia is not strictly speaking a diagnosis but a medical term that simply means ‘hair loss’. There are several causes of alopecia and it is best to seek professional advice either from your GP or from a Dermatologist in order to establish the cause of alopecia, and ascertain potential treatment options.

What are the causes of hair loss?

The most common causes are:

This list is not exhaustive, and several other conditions are known to cause hair loss.

Can hair loss be treated?

This depends on the cause. Certain forms of hair loss, such as acute telogen effluvium, are self resolving. Chronic telogen effluvium, if caused by an underlying metabolic abnormality, such as thyroid disease, can be improved if the underlying cause is treated.

Other causes such as alopecia areata, can sometimes be controlled with creams or injections. Male and female pattern hair loss can be slowed down with lotions, prescription medications and hair transplantation. Inflammatory scalp disorders can be controlled in some individuals if they are caught early, but once scarring has developed the hair loss can be permanent and requires hair transplantation.

What services do you offer?

We understand how devastating suffering hair loss can be, and the huge impact it has on quality of life. At our hair loss clinic in Birmingham, we offer comprehensive support, and the following:

  • Consultation with a Consultant Dermatologist with a special interest in hair loss. This is firstly to to establish a diagnosis. Using their comprehensive knowledge and training in skin and hair disorders, the Dermatologist will take a history and examine your scalp. Additional tests that may be undertaken include a trichoscope, trichogram, hair microscopy, blood tests and scalp biopsies. These can usually be performed at your first visit, if indicated.
  • Discussion of diagnosis and treatment options. We aim to provide constructive advice to help you understand the cause of your hair loss and the best methods to improve it.
  • We offer a full range of treatment options including creams, lotions, tablets and injections.
  • We can make recommendations on providers of hair systems including wigs, weaves and hair pieces as we do not provide these.

Are you trichologists?

A trichologist is anyone who studies the science of hair, and therefore by definition Dermatologists are trichologists as the study of hair is inherent in a Dermatologist’s specialist training. The majority of commercial trichologists are, however, not medically qualified and are therefore unable to relate hair diagnoses to underlying medical or medication issues, carry out often essential diagnostic tests or provide prescription therapies. The Dermatologists at Midland Skin Institute receive many referrals for diagnosis and treatment from non-medical trichologists.

Where can I get more information?

We encourage you to use the information pages on this website. The following websites may also be useful: