Falling Hair & Hair Shedding Treatment in London – Consultant Dermatologist
Excessive hair fall (shedding) can be sudden or gradual and is often distressing. At Skinhorizon Clinic we identify the cause—most commonly telogen effluvium—and build a targeted plan combining precise scalp analysis, focused blood tests, nutritional/lifestyle support, and in‑clinic therapies such as exosome adjuncts and medical‑grade LED phototherapy.
Introduction
Hair fall is normal—most people shed 50–100 hairs per day. When shedding becomes excessive, you might notice more hair on the pillow, shower drain or hairbrush, and your ponytail or parting may look thinner. The most frequent diagnosis is telogen effluvium (TE): a shift of many follicles into the resting phase after a trigger such as illness, high fever, iron deficiency, stress, crash dieting, medication change, post‑partum hormonal change or a major life event. TE is non‑scarring (follicles remain intact) and usually reversible once triggers are addressed. Our consultant‑led pathway confirms the diagnosis, separates TE from other causes (e.g., alopecia areata, lichen planopilaris, or patterned hair thinning), and gives you a structured plan you can stick to.
Get expert help to identify your shedding triggers, calm the scalp, and support healthy regrowth.
What is Falling Hair?
“Falling hair” usually refers to excess shedding rather than a change in hair calibre. The commonest diagnosis is telogen effluvium (TE), where a physical or emotional trigger synchronises many hairs to exit the growth phase (anagen) into the resting phase (telogen). Shedding is then noticed 6–12 weeks after the trigger as the hairs shed out. Acute TE typically settles within months once the trigger is corrected. Chronic TE can persist beyond six months and often has multi‑factorial drivers (iron deficiency, thyroid disease, ongoing stress, shift work, low vitamin D, under‑eating).
Falling hair can also be a feature or mimic of other conditions. We consider autoimmune causes like alopecia areata (patchy loss), early scarring alopecias such as lichen planopilaris (itch, pain, scale) and co‑existing scalp disorders including psoriasis of the scalp or seborrhoeic dermatitis which can aggravate shedding. Distinguishing shedding (number of hairs loss) from thinning (miniaturisation in patterned hair loss) is essential because management differs.
Diagnosis & Assessment at Skinhorizon
- Consultant history: trigger timeline (illness, fever, stress, medication changes, surgery), diet and weight change, menstruation/pregnancy/post‑partum, sleep patterns and shift work.
- Examination: density patterns, part‑width, pull test, signs of inflammation (redness, scale, tenderness), nail/skin clues to autoimmune disease.
- Trichoscopy (scalp analysis): hair diameter diversity, yellow/black dots, perifollicular signs—helps distinguish TE from patterned thinning or inflammatory/scarring disease.
- Blood tests: ferritin/iron studies, vitamin D, thyroid profile (TSH ± free T4), B12/folate where indicated; hormones if the history suggests endocrine contribution.
- Photography & tracking: standardised angles and lighting to monitor recovery; we focus on trend over months (hair cycles are slow).
- Differentiate & direct: if features suggest areata or LPP/FFA, we pivot to the appropriate pathway promptly.
Personalised Treatment Options We Offer
Scalp & Hair Analysis (Trichoscopy + Shedding Assessment)
High‑magnification trichoscopy is central to our approach. It documents hair shaft calibre, follicular unit counts, and any perifollicular scale or redness that could indicate inflammatory disease. We may perform simple shedding assessments (e.g., hair pull or wash test guidance) to quantify change. Baseline findings allow meaningful comparisons at follow‑up, helping you see progress that mirrors how hair cycles recover.
- Differentiates shedding (TE) from miniaturisation (patterned hair loss).
- Identifies inflammatory signs suggesting autoimmune/scarring conditions.
- Targets where supportive in‑clinic therapies may be most helpful.
Targeted Blood Tests
Bloods are tailored to your history and examination. We commonly assess ferritin/iron studies (low ferritin is a frequent driver of shedding), vitamin D, and thyroid function. Where history suggests endocrine factors, we consider hormonal profiles in collaboration with your GP. Correcting deficiencies and treating thyroid issues can meaningfully reduce shedding and support regrowth. We’ll also discuss safe supplementation and expected timelines for improvement.
Nutrition & Lifestyle Support
TE often has multi‑factorial triggers. We provide practical guidance on protein targets, iron‑rich foods, vitamin D repletion, sleep hygiene and stress‑reduction strategies. Where appropriate we recommend evidence‑aware supplementation protocols and coordinate with your GP for monitoring. Crash dieting and very low‑carb regimes can prolong shedding; we help you stabilise a sustainable intake while recovery occurs.
- Realistic protein targets and iron absorption tips (e.g., pairing with vitamin C).
- Post‑partum plans to ride out temporary shedding while protecting fibre quality.
- Stress‑management suggestions you can actually do (short bouts, consistent routines).
Exosome Therapy (Regenerative Adjunct)
Exosomes are nano‑sized vesicles carrying signalling molecules that may support a healthier scalp micro‑environment. We use them as an adjunct to core medical care, often paired with gentle micro‑channeling for delivery. Exosomes are not a cure for shedding triggers but can complement recovery by supporting hair quality and thickness as normal cycling resumes. We’ll review suitability, expected timelines, and how we will measure benefit—usually via standardised photography and trichoscopic markers.
LED Phototherapy (Photobiomodulation)
Medical‑grade LED delivers low‑energy light to the scalp to support cellular activity and microcirculation. Sessions are comfortable, non‑invasive and repeated in short courses; many patients find LED helpful during the vulnerable months while triggers are being corrected and hair cycling normalises. We tailor dose and frequency to your scalp sensitivity and schedule, and may combine LED with exosomes or topical routines.
Personalised Haircare Routine Guidance
The right daily routine reduces mechanical loss and keeps the scalp comfortable. We advise on gentle cleansers, detangling methods and heat/chemical limits to reduce breakage and traction. Our clinic stocks supportive options such as DP Exo‑Grow All‑in‑One Shampoo; we’ll tailor a minimal, sustainable routine you can stick to. Patch‑test any new product on an inconspicuous area for 24 hours before full use.
Your Care Journey
- Confirm & classify: consultation, trichoscopy and bloods to identify the drivers of shedding.
- Written plan: clear steps for nutrition, supplements, scalp care and clinic therapies with timelines.
- In‑clinic support: LED phototherapy ± exosome adjuncts during recovery phase when appropriate.
- Trigger correction: treat deficiencies, optimise thyroid or medication timing in coordination with your GP.
- Review & refine: follow‑ups every 8–12 weeks initially; tracking by photos and symptom diaries rather than day‑to‑day fluctuations.
Hair growth is cyclical. Most improvements appear gradually across months; we focus on steady trend, not overnight transformation.
Special Situations
- Post‑partum shedding: common and self‑limiting; we support comfort and fibre quality while regrowth occurs, and assess for compounding factors (iron deficiency, thyroid change).
- Post‑illness/fever shedding: typically starts 2–3 months after the event; we focus on recovery support and ruling out other triggers.
- Medication‑associated shedding: we review timing; any changes are coordinated with your prescriber—do not stop medicines without advice.
- Chronic telogen effluvium: multi‑factorial; we address sleep, shift work, nutrition and stress while monitoring for patterned thinning overlap.
- Inflammatory scalp signs (itch, pain, scale): consider autoimmune/scarring disease; if suspected we pivot to appropriate pathways (e.g., LPP/FFA care).
Aftercare & Maintenance
Keep to your routine: gentle cleansing, regular conditioning of lengths, careful detangling, and heat moderation. Maintain your supplement plan as advised and attend review bloods if needed. Avoid tight hairstyles and heavy traction while shedding settles. We’ll outline a maintenance LED schedule if it benefits your scalp comfort and confidence.
Safety & Risks
Our protocols prioritise safety and realism. Blood tests may cause brief bruising or light‑headedness in sensitive individuals. LED phototherapy is non‑invasive with minimal temporary sensitivity. Exosome therapy is used as an adjunct; we will discuss candidacy, known safety considerations, and contraindications. Supplementation is tailored—more is not always better; we avoid excessive dosing and coordinate with your GP for monitoring when appropriate.
Expected Outcomes
Most patients with acute telogen effluvium notice shedding start to ease within 6–12 weeks of correcting triggers, with visible improvement in coverage over the following months as new hairs lengthen. Chronic TE requires a longer horizon and consistent routines; progress is measured by reduced daily fall, improved hair quality, and stabilised part‑width. Our goal is to shorten the “vulnerable window,” support healthy cycling, and give you a plan that protects hair while confidence returns.
Patient Experience
“I was losing handfuls for months. We found my iron was low and set a plan with LED sessions. Three months later the shedding calmed and baby hairs were everywhere.”
— Verified Skinhorizon falling hair patient
Why Choose Skinhorizon for Falling Hair?
- Consultant‑led diagnosis: we separate shedding from thinning and identify drivers you can change.
- Trichoscopy & tracking: objective markers so you can see real progress over time.
- Full toolkit on‑site: LED phototherapy and regenerative exosome adjuncts delivered safely.
- Targeted bloods and lifestyle support: we correct the cause, not just the symptoms.
- Clear, sustainable plans: routines that fit your life—no unmanageable product stacks.
Book Your Consultation
Get expert, consultant‑led care to calm shedding and support healthy regrowth.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my hair fall is “too much”?
How long does telogen effluvium last?
Can I colour or style my hair during shedding?
Do supplements stop hair fall?
What if my shedding is actually autoimmune or scarring?
This page was reviewed by Dr Mohammad Ghazavi, Consultant Dermatologist, last updated August 2025.
Disclaimer: The information on this page is provided for general educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Individual results vary, and all medical and aesthetic procedures carry risks and potential complications which will be fully discussed during your consultation. Suitability for treatment can only be determined following an in-person assessment with a qualified healthcare professional at Skinhorizon Clinic.