Medical, procedural and cosmetic
It can help to sort thinning hair options into three groups before a consultation.
- Medical. Topical or oral options that a doctor may prescribe after looking at your history and scalp.
- Procedural. In-office procedures some providers offer, such as PRP or low-level light, and hair transplant surgery, which is discussed with a surgeon at a separate consultation.
- Cosmetic. Toppers, hair systems, wigs, cuts and styling that change how hair looks without any treatment.
Providers differ in what they offer. A licensed provider decides what is suitable for you.
What a provider weighs
Before discussing options, a provider usually looks at a few things:
- The pattern and extent of thinning on your scalp
- How long it has been going on and whether it is changing
- Your health history, current medicines and any pregnancy plans
- Recent stress, illness or childbirth
- Family history of thinning
- What you want, including whether you prefer medical, procedural or cosmetic routes
Pregnancy plans and current medicines matter because some prescription options are not suitable for everyone. A licensed provider decides what is suitable for you.
Before a thinning hair consultation
- List every medicine and supplement you take, with doses.
- Note any pregnancy, breastfeeding or plans to become pregnant.
- Write a rough timeline of when the thinning started and what was happening then.
- Gather a few photos of your hair from the past few years.
- Note anything you have already tried and how long you used it.
- Think about which kinds of options you are open to: prescription, in-office, surgical or cosmetic.
- Write down your questions, including cost.
Bring what you have. The provider will ask about the rest.
Questions about thinning hair options
What options might a provider discuss for thinning hair?
A provider may talk about topical or oral options a doctor may prescribe, in-office procedures some providers offer such as PRP or low-level light, a consultation with a hair transplant surgeon, or cosmetic options such as toppers, hair systems and styling. A licensed provider decides what is suitable for you.
How long before I know if an option is working for me?
That varies by option and person, and no one can promise what will happen. Ask the provider how they would follow up, how often they would want to see you, and what they would look at to decide whether to keep going.
What if my hair loss is sudden or patchy?
See a doctor or dermatologist. Sudden shedding, round bald patches, or hair loss with pain, bleeding or other new symptoms are reasons to get medical advice rather than starting with cosmetic or in-office options.
Thinning, flaking or itch on your mind? Let a local provider know you would like to talk.
Send my requestMore consultation topics
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