There are different types of hair loss and different causes and Dr David Fenton believes that identifying the why is crucial before beginning to discuss treatment options.

As well as offering treatment, Dr Fenton can also help with the psychological impact of hair loss. Indeed, counselling is an intrinsic part of Dr Fenton’s consultation process in helping a woman come to terms with her hair loss, be it temporary or permanent.

In addition to a thorough physical scalp examination, Dr Fenton carries out extensive pathology tests to investigate various underlying causative conditions, prior to prescribing a treatment plan.

Different types of  female hair loss and causes

Telogen effluvium; this condition causes generalised shedding and thinning of hair and is due to the normal hair growth cycle being interrupted. This type of hair loss is usually temporary and, potentially, the hair can grow back once the cause has been treated or the precipitating factor recovered.

Androgenetic alopecia; also known as female-pattern baldness, this hair loss is usually located on the top and front of the head. It can be inherited, but may be precipitated by hormonal factors and can often become more noticeable after the menopause.

Alopecia areata; this condition can affect any hair-bearing site, but frequently involves the scalp. It may occur at any age and affects both males and females. It often causes patchy loss of scalp hair, but may progress to complete loss of hair on the scalp (alopecia totalis) and may spread to involve all the hair on face, body and limbs (alopecia universalis). Alopecia areata may recovery spontaneously but there are a number of treatments that can encourage regrowth.

Scarring hair loss; also known as scarring alopecia or cicatricial alopecia, this refers to a number of hair loss disorders that fortunately are less common as they cause permanent and usually irreversible damage to the hair follicle which is then replaced with scar tissue.

It is sometimes difficult to distinguish between scarring alopecia and alopecia areata and Dr David Fenton may arrange for a scalp biopsy if necessary to diagnose the problem.