Hair Loss in London: Why Diagnosis Matters Before Choosing Treatment
“What is the best treatment for hair loss?” is one of the most common questions we hear. The honest answer is: it depends entirely on the cause. Hair loss (alopecia) is a symptom with many drivers — from genetics and autoimmunity to hormones, nutrition, scalp disease and stress. Choosing a treatment before confirming the diagnosis risks wasted time, money and, in scarring forms, irreversible loss. That’s why at Skinhorizon Clinic in Maida Vale, every hair pathway starts with a consultant‑led assessment, including trichoscopy and digital hair analysis, so we can tailor a plan that truly matches your hair biology.
Consultant Hair Loss Assessment in Central London
Trichoscopy + digital hair analysis in Maida Vale. Convenient for West London, St John’s Wood, Paddington, Hampstead, North & North West London.
Call Us Book Consultation- Hair loss is not one disease. Causes include patterned (androgenetic) hair loss, autoimmune alopecia areata, shedding (telogen effluvium), scarring alopecias and scalp conditions.
- Diagnosis first. We use trichoscopy and digital hair analysis to differentiate causes and track progress objectively.
- Why it matters. The right diagnosis changes the treatment: medical therapy for patterned loss, immunomodulation for autoimmune, anti‑inflammatory care for scalp disease, biopsy where scarring is suspected.
- Consultant‑led pathways. Dedicated programmes for patterned hair loss, autoimmune hair loss, scarring hair loss, excessive shedding and scalp conditions.
- Goal. Preserve, stabilise, regrow where possible and plan long‑term maintenance.
Why Diagnosis Comes Before Treatment
Hair biology is intricate. Follicles cycle through anagen (growth), catagen (transition) and telogen (rest). Different disorders shift these phases in unique ways or damage follicles directly. Treating “hair loss” without knowing whether we’re dealing with a cycle shift, inflammation or follicle destruction is like prescribing glasses without checking the prescription. A short, structured consultation using trichoscopy — a dermatoscope adapted for scalp and hair — and digital hair analysis provides crucial clues:
- Hair shaft calibre variation suggests patterned loss.
- Yellow/black dots, exclamation hairs suggest alopecia areata.
- Peripilar casts, perifollicular erythema/scale suggest scarring or inflammatory scalp disease.
- High telogen count points to telogen effluvium (shedding).
These findings guide whether we need labs, microbiology, or a targeted skin biopsy & diagnostic analysis before treatment.
The Main Categories of Hair Loss — and What They Mean
1) Patterned Hair Loss (Androgenetic)
The most common cause in men and women. Follicles progressively miniaturise under genetic and hormonal influence, producing thinner hairs and reduced density. Trichoscopy shows hair calibre diversity (“anisotrichosis”) and miniaturisation.
Our pathway for stabilisation and regrowth is here: Patterned Hair Loss.
2) Autoimmune Hair Loss (Alopecia Areata)
Patchy hair loss occurs when the immune system targets follicles. Trichoscopy may reveal yellow/black dots and short “exclamation mark” hairs. Early treatment aims to switch off inflammation and protect follicles.
See our dedicated programme: Autoimmune Hair Loss.
3) Excessive Shedding (Telogen Effluvium)
Stress, illness, iron deficiency, thyroid issues, childbirth or medications can push a higher percentage of hairs into the resting phase. Trichoscopy shows increased club hairs; labs may be indicated.
Learn how we investigate and manage shedding: Falling Hair.
4) Scarring Alopecias
A group including LPP/FFA and central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia. Inflammation destroys follicles and replaces them with scar tissue. Early diagnosis is critical; delay risks permanent loss.
Our urgent pathway: Scarring Hair Loss.
5) Scalp Conditions Mimicking Hair Loss
Dandruff/seborrhoeic dermatitis, psoriasis, tinea capitis or folliculitis can increase shedding, break hairs or impede growth. Management targets the scalp first to allow healthy growth.
Explore our care: Scalp Conditions and condition pages such as Scalp Infections or Seborrhoeic Dermatitis.
What Is Trichoscopy — and Why It’s Transformational
Trichoscopy magnifies scalp and hair shafts to reveal signs invisible to the naked eye. We can quantify miniaturisation, inflammation and scaling, spot broken hairs or hair casts, and document precise sites for follow‑up. This allows:
- Accurate sub‑typing of alopecia
- Objective tracking of treatment response
- Earlier detection of scarring disease
- Better counselling on prognosis and realistic goals
When trichoscopy suggests infection, we may add a skin swab test. When shedding is significant or symptoms suggest systemic triggers, we can arrange targeted blood tests. If scarring is suspected, we will discuss a focused diagnostic biopsy.
Digital Hair Analysis: Precision You Can See
Our Digital Hair Analysis captures high‑resolution images to measure density, hair calibre and growth patterns across standardised scalp zones. It provides:
Baseline Mapping
Establishes your unique density and calibre profile to anchor expectations.
Objective Tracking
Side‑by‑side comparisons at follow‑up show what’s improving, stable or declining.
Personalised Planning
We decide where to concentrate therapy and how to sequence interventions.
- Best hair loss diagnosis London
- Trichoscopy vs biopsy for hair loss
- Digital hair analysis Central London
- Do I have telogen effluvium or androgenetic alopecia?
- Scarring alopecia early signs and treatment West London
We address these below to help you choose the right pathway.
Choosing Treatment After Diagnosis — What Might Your Plan Include?
Once we have a clear diagnosis, your plan may draw from medical therapy, device‑based care, scalp health optimisation and lifestyle levers. We’ll tailor the sequence to your biology and goals.
Patterned Hair Loss
Stabilisation and regrowth strategies, plus maintenance to hold gains. Explore: Patterned Hair Loss treatment.
Autoimmune Hair Loss
Inflammation control to protect follicles, with relapse planning. Explore: Autoimmune Hair Loss treatment.
Excessive Shedding
Trigger identification (iron, thyroid, stress), restoration plan and monitoring. Explore: Falling Hair.
Scarring Alopecia
Urgent anti‑inflammatory care and close follow‑up to prevent permanent loss. Explore: Scarring Hair Loss.
Scalp Disease
Anti‑inflammatory, antifungal or antibacterial care to normalise the scalp. Explore: Scalp Conditions.
Book Trichoscopy & Digital Hair Analysis in Maida Vale
Objective diagnosis first — then a plan that fits your hair biology. Serving Central London, West London, St John’s Wood, Paddington, Hampstead, North & North West London.
Call Us Book ConsultationWhen Do We Consider Biopsy or Additional Tests?
If trichoscopy suggests scarring alopecia or the pattern is atypical, we will discuss a targeted skin biopsy to confirm the diagnosis and guide therapy. We may also request selected blood tests (e.g., ferritin, thyroid panel, vitamin D) or scalp microbiology via skin swab when infection is suspected.
How We Measure Success — and Keep It
- Photographic standardisation under consistent lighting and positioning.
- Digital metrics from Digital Hair Analysis to quantify density and calibre.
- Trichoscopy review to track inflammation, miniaturisation and regrowth.
- Maintenance plan to protect gains and reduce relapse risk.
Frequently Asked Questions on Hair Loss Diagnosis (London)
Why not start treatment straight away and skip diagnosis?
Because the effectiveness and safety of treatment depend on the cause. A plan that helps patterned loss won’t treat alopecia areata — and delaying scarring alopecia care risks permanent loss. Diagnosis first is faster in the long run.
What is the difference between trichoscopy and digital hair analysis?
Trichoscopy is a clinical magnified exam to identify disease patterns. Digital Hair Analysis captures measurable images and counts (density, calibre) for objective tracking.
Will I need blood tests?
Sometimes. If shedding is prominent or symptoms hint at triggers (iron deficiency, thyroid), we may arrange targeted blood tests as part of your work‑up.
How quickly will I see improvement?
Hair cycles are slow. Stabilisation can be seen in weeks to months; visible density gains often take several months. We set realistic timelines and measure progress objectively.
Can scalp problems cause hair loss?
Yes. Conditions such as seborrhoeic dermatitis, psoriasis or scalp infections can drive shedding or breakage. Treating the scalp is part of restoring healthy growth.
What if I’m already using products or supplements?
Bring them to your consultation. We’ll keep what’s working, remove what’s unhelpful, and add evidence‑based therapies aligned with your diagnosis.
Next Step: Start with Diagnosis, Not Guesswork
If you’re concerned about hair loss, book a consultant‑led assessment with trichoscopy and digital hair analysis. From there, we’ll direct you to the correct pathway for patterned hair loss, autoimmune hair loss, scarring alopecia, excessive shedding or scalp conditions.
Book Your Hair Loss Consultation in Maida Vale
Expert diagnosis with trichoscopy and digital hair analysis. Serving Central London, West London, St John’s Wood, Paddington, Hampstead, North London & North West London.
Call Us Book ConsultationRelated Pages & Diagnostic Technology
- Patterned Hair Loss • Autoimmune Hair Loss • Scarring Hair Loss • Falling Hair • Scalp Conditions
- Trichoscopy • Digital Hair Analysis • Skin Biopsy & Diagnostic Analysis • Blood Tests • Skin Swab Test
