Hair fall
Last reviewed
Hair fall is most often telogen effluvium (temporary shedding from stress, illness, post-pregnancy, low ferritin, thyroid or rapid weight loss) or pattern hair loss (gradual thinning at the crown or hairline, often hormonal). Evaluation starts with bloodwork; treatment is matched to the cause — minoxidil, oral therapy, ferritin correction, PRP, GFC or mesotherapy.
Almost everyone sheds hair. The question patients usually want answered is whether what they're seeing is normal shedding (50–100 hairs a day), temporary excess shedding (telogen effluvium — often 200+ a day for 3–6 months) or true thinning (pattern hair loss, where the scalp shows through over years).
Most hair fall we see at SkinWise responds well — but only if we start with the right diagnosis. Bloodwork before prescriptions is the rule, not the exception.
What hair fall looks like
- Visible scalp at the parting or crown (pattern thinning)
- Receding hairline, especially at the temples (male and female pattern)
- Sudden shedding 2–3 months after illness, surgery, pregnancy or weight loss (telogen effluvium)
- Bald patches, smooth and circular (alopecia areata)
- Itchy, flaking scalp with shedding (seborrhoeic dermatitis or fungal infection)
- Hair coming out in clumps when washing or brushing
- Reduced ponytail thickness over months
Common causes of hair fall
- Telogen effluvium — physical or emotional stress, post-viral, post-pregnancy, post-surgery
- Iron deficiency — low ferritin, very common in Indian women
- Thyroid disorders — hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism
- Hormonal — PCOS, perimenopause, androgenetic pattern
- Nutritional — vitamin D deficiency, protein deficiency, crash diets
- Scalp conditions — seborrhoeic dermatitis, fungal infection, traction from tight hairstyles
- Medications — some antihypertensives, antidepressants, isotretinoin (usually reversible)
When to see a dermatologist
See a dermatologist if shedding lasts more than 6–8 weeks, if you notice clear thinning at the parting or crown, if bald patches appear, or if your scalp has become itchy or flaky alongside the fall. The earlier we evaluate, the more reversible the picture usually is.
How hair fall is treated at SkinWise
We start with a full history and bloodwork — ferritin, vitamin D, thyroid, vitamin B12 and a hormonal panel where indicated. The plan that follows depends on the cause: ferritin or thyroid correction for those deficits, minoxidil and oral therapy for pattern hair loss, PRP or GFC mesotherapy as acceleration once the foundation is in place. Most cases see visible improvement at 3–6 months.
Services that treat hair fall
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Frequently asked questions
How much hair fall per day is normal?
Roughly 50–100 hairs a day is within normal range. Telogen effluvium typically shows as 200+ a day for several weeks. If you can fill a small mug with shed hair from a single wash, it's worth evaluating.
Will PRP regrow lost hair?
PRP improves the existing follicles' performance — thickness, density, hair-cycle quality — more reliably than it regrows hairs that have been gone for years. It works best in combination with minoxidil and treats early-to-moderate pattern hair loss well. We discuss realistic expectations upfront.
Is minoxidil safe long-term?
Yes for most patients. The main caveat is that you have to keep using it; stopping returns the hair to its original trajectory over 3–6 months. Topical minoxidil is well-tolerated; oral low-dose minoxidil is now also used carefully in select cases.
Will my hair fall stop on its own after pregnancy?
Post-pregnancy telogen effluvium usually settles 6–9 months after delivery without prescription treatment. We support the recovery with the right nutritional foundation and a gentle scalp routine; persistent fall beyond a year warrants evaluation.
Ready to start with a consult?
A focused 15-minute first consultation is where we slow down, map your concern and build the smallest plan that will actually move the needle. No oversell, no fixed menu.