Hair loss and alopecia treatment by Prof. Dr. Başak Yalçın - Experienced dermatologist in Çankaya, Ankara
Conditions & Procedures
Hair loss and alopecia
Hair shedding, patterned thinning, and patchy hair loss can have different causes. Evaluation usually focuses on timing, distribution, scalp findings, current medicines, and whether additional tests or biopsy are needed.
Symptoms & Treatment Features
- Diffuse shedding and chronic hair loss
- Alopecia areata and patterned thinning
- Scalp-focused examination and individualized follow-up
Hair loss is not one diagnosis
Hair loss can present as increased daily shedding, widening of the part, frontal recession, patchy bald areas, or reduced density over time. Common causes include androgenetic alopecia, telogen effluvium, alopecia areata, traction-related loss, and inflammatory scalp disease.
Because the causes are very different, a careful diagnosis matters. Some types improve once the trigger settles, while others respond best when treatment begins early and is continued consistently.
- Sudden shedding after stress, illness, surgery, or childbirth
- Patterned thinning in women or men
- Round or sharply defined patches suggesting alopecia areata
How the scalp is evaluated
Assessment focuses on timing, pattern, scalp symptoms, family history, hair-care practices, and current medicines. Examination of the scalp and hair shafts may show miniaturization, breakage, inflammation, scaling, or signs that point toward scarring alopecia.
- Whether the problem is shedding, thinning, or true patchy loss
- Whether the scalp shows redness, scale, pustules, or tenderness
- Whether blood tests or scalp biopsy are needed in selected cases
Treatment depends on the cause
Once the diagnosis is clear, treatment may include topical minoxidil, oral medication in selected patients, anti-inflammatory therapy for patchy or inflammatory disease, and targeted follow-up to track response. Alopecia areata, androgenetic alopecia, and scarring alopecia do not follow the same pathway, so they should not be managed as if they were the same problem.
- Early treatment can improve outcomes in many hair-loss patterns
- Some causes are reversible, while others are best controlled rather than ignored
- Regular follow-up helps distinguish ongoing shedding from regrowth
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
How much hair shedding is considered normal?
Shedding roughly 50 to 100 hairs a day can be normal. Hair loss becomes more concerning when there is obvious thinning, widening of the part, patchy loss, or a clear increase in shedding over time.
Can hair grow back after alopecia?
It depends on the diagnosis. In telogen effluvium, regrowth often follows once the trigger settles. In alopecia areata, regrowth is possible but the condition can recur. In patterned hair loss, treatment aims to slow progression and improve density.
When should hair loss be evaluated sooner rather than later?
Early assessment is especially important when loss is rapid, patchy, painful, scarring, associated with scalp inflammation, or continuing despite home measures.
Can stress trigger hair loss?
Yes. Significant physical or emotional stress can contribute to telogen effluvium, which often shows up as diffuse shedding weeks after the trigger.
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