If more hair than usual is falling out and the forehead and crown lines look different, the start of hair loss can be suspected. Hair loss appears not from genetics alone but from several overlapping factors such as hormonal changes, stress and scalp condition, so the more accurately the cause and type are identified, the sooner the direction of care can be set.
This article sets out the causes and types of hair loss, its early signs, and the diagnostic and treatment process, to explain what should be checked.
What causes hair loss?
Genetic factors are cited as a typical background that raises the likelihood of hair loss when there is a family history. If parents or grandparents had hair loss, keeping in mind that a similar pattern may follow and making a habit of checking the scalp condition in advance is as important as dealing with other causes.
When a male hormone called dihydrotestosterone increases excessively, hair follicles shrink, hair becomes thinner and the growth cycle shortens. When chronic stress is added, blood circulation declines and hair roots weaken, and frequent hair dyeing or scalp conditions such as seborrhoeic dermatitis also affect the symptoms.
- Genetic factors — a family history raises the likelihood of hair loss
- Hormonal changes — an increase in dihydrotestosterone makes hair follicles shrink
- Stress — interferes with blood circulation and weakens hair roots
- Scalp condition — frequent dyeing or scalp conditions such as seborrhoeic dermatitis have an effect
Are there different types of hair loss?
Male pattern hair loss progresses as the forehead line gradually widens or the hair density at the crown noticeably decreases, whereas female pattern hair loss shows a pattern in which the hairline is relatively preserved while hair density decreases overall from the central area, so the visible form itself is different.
Alopecia areata is characterised by hair falling out in round patches due to stress or immune system abnormalities; telogen effluvium appears temporarily after childbirth or excessive dieting; and seborrhoeic hair loss tends to develop gradually as ongoing scalp inflammation weakens the hair follicles.
- Male pattern hair loss — progresses as the forehead widens or the crown starts to look thin
- Female pattern hair loss — the hairline is preserved but overall hair density decreases
- Alopecia areata — hair falls out in round patches due to stress or immune system abnormalities
- Telogen and seborrhoeic hair loss — appear after childbirth or dieting, or because of scalp inflammation
What are the early signs of hair loss, and how do diagnosis and treatment follow?
If it feels as though more than 100 hairs are falling out a day, or if the forehead line is gradually widening and the crown is starting to look thin, this can be seen as an early sign of hair loss, and when it is found at this stage, the outlook that can be expected from later care is relatively more favourable.
Diagnosis begins with a review of medical history covering family history, when the symptoms started and lifestyle habits, followed by a scalp magnifier examination and a hair pull test to check the condition. If needed, blood tests checking thyroid, iron and testosterone levels are also carried out, so that the cause is narrowed down in detail.
Once the cause is identified, mesotherapy, also known as scalp injections, low-level laser therapy and medication are combined to suit the condition. Of 10 people who have actually received treatment, around 7 to 8 are reported to want to continue ongoing care afterwards.
- Early signs — 100 or more hairs fall out a day, or the crown looks thin
- Medical history and scalp check — family history, lifestyle habits and scalp and hair condition are reviewed together
- Blood tests — thyroid, iron and testosterone levels are checked
- Combined treatment — mesotherapy, low-level laser therapy and medication are carried out together
