Do You Treat Genetic Thinning Hair Not Just Hair Loss?'

Name: Olivia

Question: Do you treat genetic thinning hair not just hair loss?


Answer: Hi, Olivia. Interesting question! The thinning hair you mention and genetic hair loss are actually both symptoms the same thing - the hereditary condition Female Pattern Hair Loss.

Also known as androgenic alopecia, this involves hair follicles in certain areas of the scalp - along the top of the scalp from hairline to crown, and at the temples - being sensitive to a testosterone byproduct called dihydrotestosterone (DHT). In women with Female Pattern Hair Loss the DHT binds to these follicles and gradually weakens them, resulting in the outward appearance of ever thinning hair. It is often coupled with extra shedding and a decrease in hair volume, which can be felt with your hands - particularly when putting longer hair into a ponytail - and your parting may also start to appear wider.

Although the affected areas remain the same, the way this permanent hair loss condition develops is different for women than it is for men.

Men with Male Pattern Baldness will most likely develop highly defined areas of hair loss that, without intervention, may go bald over time - such as a receding hairline or thinning crown. Women, on the other hand, tend to have increasingly thinning hair which is diffusely spread over the whole of the affected areas but, whilst it can become quite advanced, actual baldness - where the scalp takes on a smooth, shiny appearance - is rare. This is why, at Belgravia, we refer to the condition as Female Pattern Hair Loss, not Female Pattern Baldness.

So, in answer to your question, we do indeed treat both! There are clinically-proven women's hair loss treatments for thinning hair caused by androgenic alopecia and a custom course can be tailored based on your diagnosis, level and pattern of hair fall, and your medical profile.

There are a number of other conditions which can cause thinning hair in women which are not genetic and are often temporary. If you have noticed or are concerned about changes to your hair, and would like some expert advice from a hair loss specialist, we recommend having a consultation - in person at a hair clinic or online with the ability to upload explanatory photos of your scalp - so that a proper assessment can be carried out. From there a diagnosis can be provided along with hair loss treatment recommendations, where appropriate.