Hair Loss Self-Diagnosis

There is no substitute for specialist and professional advice when it comes to addressing hair loss because there could be a number of underlying factors causing or contributing to the problem. However, a self-diagnosis might give you a better understanding of what hair loss condition you may be experiencing and prepare you to ask the right questions and know which treatment method might work for you.

Signs and Symptoms

• Thinning hair over a number of years


• Receding hairline or developing widow’s peak


• Widening centre-part


• Hair loss on the front or top the head


• Similar pattern seen in other family members

, also known as male and female pattern baldness. It is caused by a genetic sensitivity to dihydrotestosterone, or DHT (a converted form of testosterone), which binds to the hair follicles in the scalp and causing them to shrink until eventually they stop producing hair. The tendency can be inherited from either side of the family and unfortunately, there is not a lot you can do to prevent genetic hair loss from occurring but as soon as you notice the telling signs you can take action to stop it developing.

Signs and Symptoms

• Excessive shedding in short space of time


• Experienced unusual or traumatic event about three months ago (surgery, divorce, job loss)


• Thinning hair spread throughout entire scalp

. It is a hair loss condition that responds to physical or emotional stress and can occur at any age but is most commonly seen in women, especially after childbirth. It is usually corrects itself once the cause is dealt with or has subdued, but telogen effluvium can instigate an early onset of genetic hair loss in those who are susceptible.

Signs and Symptoms

• Diffuse-spread thinning hair


• Extra hairs in your brush or at the bottom of the shower


• Nutritional deficiency


• Recent change or use of medication


• Underactive/overactive thyroid or other hormonal disorder

. It takes on a similar appearance to telogen effluvium but while the latter is likely to correct itself within a few months after a particular stressful event, the problem causing diffuse hair loss will need to be addressed before regrowth can occur.

Signs and Symptoms

• Sudden, patchy hair loss


• Clumps of hair fall


• Smooth bald patches on scalp, eyebrows or beard


• Similar condition previously experienced by other family members


• Severe infection or extremely stressful situation prior to hair loss

. It is an autoimmune disease where physical or emotional stresses disrupt and confuse the body’s immune system, causing it to attack the hair follicles. They are not periodically shut down rather than destroyed and while it is temporary in as much as 70% of cases, the haphazard patches of baldness can increases the person’s stress and aggravate the condition.

Hair Loss Treatment

Following a self-diagnosis, you should consult a hair loss specialist to get the right advice and treatment. Take a look at our Hair Loss Treatment Guide to get an idea about the most effective products available and which ones that might not be as effective, but keep in mind no one’s hair loss problem is going to be exactly the same and you need individualised advice and sometimes a combination approach to treatment.

For instance, when it comes to telogen effluvium or diffuse hair loss, hair usually grows back once the event or condition that caused the hair loss is addressed, but it can takes months and sometimes triggers genetic hair loss. Various combinations of hair loss treatments and hair growth boosters can help to minimise the damage, particularly if there is a tendency toward male or female pattern baldness, whilst the body is dealing with the crisis. In the case of genetic hair loss, depending on the severity of the problem, the dose of the treatment may need to be altered to achieve optimal results.

For more information or to arrange an appointment with a hair loss specialist, contact the Belgravia Centre on 020 7730 6666 or message us. If you can’t visit the centre for a consultation, you can complete an online diagnostic form and a Belgravia specialist will contact you with the results and personal recommendations shortly thereafter.

More Information:
Other Hairloss Conditions
Hair Loss Success Stories
Alopecia Areata Treatment Options

Interesting Articles:
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Reversible Forms of Female Hair Loss
Hair Growth After Telogen Effluvium