Research · Density & longevity · 6 min read
What Causes Hair Loss?
Androgenetic alopecia is the most common cause — but stress, nutrition, thyroid and scalp conditions all mimic it. Diagnosis comes first.
Your decision stage
- 01Research
- 02Comparison
- 03Evaluation
- 04Decision
- 05Ready
Decision tool · 4 min
Hair Restoration Path Finder
If this article is the right read for where you are, the Hair Restoration Path Finder is the right next step. Match your stage of loss to the right medical, regenerative or surgical pathway.
Quick answer
Key takeaways
- 01Androgenetic alopecia accounts for the majority of progressive hair loss
- 02Diffuse shedding usually has a reversible cause — labs first, not treatment
- 03Scalp dermoscopy distinguishes miniaturisation from other patterns
- 04Self-diagnosis routinely misclassifies treatable, reversible conditions
The five most common causes
- 01Androgenetic alopecia (male and female pattern)
- 02Telogen effluvium (stress, illness, post-partum, crash diets)
- 03Nutritional — iron, vitamin D, protein, B12
- 04Thyroid and hormonal disorders
- 05Scalp conditions: seborrhoeic dermatitis, scarring alopecias
Why diagnosis precedes treatment
Treating androgenetic loss with PRP when the cause is iron deficiency wastes both time and money. A 15-minute clinical workup with labs and dermoscopy is the fastest path to the right plan.
When to act early
Early intervention preserves follicles surgery cannot replace. Visible thinning is already late — most patients lose 30–50% of follicular density before pattern loss is obvious.
Decision tool · 4 min
Hair Restoration Path Finder
Match your stage of loss to the right medical, regenerative or surgical pathway.
FAQs
Asked often.
Can stress alone cause hair loss?
+
Yes — telogen effluvium can shed 30% of hair within months of a major stressor. It is usually reversible once the trigger resolves.
Does washing hair cause more loss?
+
No. Hair shed in the shower has already entered the telogen phase. Avoiding washing only redistributes the shed across days.
What's commonly misunderstood
Patient misconceptions, clarified.
- 01That hair loss is a single condition — in practice, five distinct causes present similarly and demand different treatment
- 02That stronger shampoos slow shedding — topical products cannot reverse follicular miniaturisation
- 03That a single before/after photo proves a treatment works — without standardised lighting and scalp dermoscopy, comparison is unreliable
What patients get wrong
Common mistakes to avoid
- 01Starting PRP or transplant before ruling out reversible causes with labs
- 02Accepting a clinic quote before a dermatologist has confirmed the diagnosis
- 03Waiting until visible thinning — by then, 30–50% of follicular density is already lost
- 04Choosing a clinic by graft price alone, without seeing a planned hairline design
Questions patients forget to ask
The questions that protect your outcome.
- 01What is my diagnosis — not just my treatment recommendation?
- 02What reversible causes have been ruled out, and how?
- 03If I do nothing, what is the realistic 2-year and 5-year trajectory?
- 04Which interventions preserve follicles, and which only mask the loss?
Decision checklist
Before you commit, verify every one.
- Iron, ferritin, vitamin D, B12 and thyroid panel reviewed
- Scalp dermoscopy performed by a dermatologist, not a clinic technician
- Diagnosis documented in writing before any treatment proposal
- A second clinical opinion sought before committing to surgery
During your consultation
What to actually discuss.
- 01Family history and pattern of loss
- 02Stressors, illnesses, diet changes or medications in the last 6–12 months
- 03What progression you can expect with no treatment, medical therapy, or surgery
- 04Which findings would change the recommended pathway
The decision arc
- 01
Research
Understand what the category contains and which paths exist.
- 02
Comparison
Weigh approaches side-by-side and rule out the wrong-fit paths.
- 03
Evaluation
Confirm candidacy and pressure-test your shortlist.
- 04
Decision
Prepare specific questions and de-risk the final commitment.
Personalized Guidance
Where are you in the decision?
AltisPath places you on the arc from exploration to consultation-ready — so the next step is the right one, not just the next available one.
Take the assessment →Decision tool · 4 min
Hair Restoration Path Finder
Decision tools are the primary way patients turn insight into a plan on AltisPath. The Hair Restoration Path Finder produces a personalised report you can take to any provider — privately, before contact.
Continue your journey
The next step, recommended.
Explore your treatment path
Insight is the beginning. A plan is the point.
Move from reading to a personalized report and tailored next steps — privately, on your own time.
Editorial standards
Dermatology content is reviewed by board-certified dermatologists practicing in Pune, Mumbai or Bengaluru.
- 01Drafted by the AltisPath decision-content team
- 02Reviewed by a practicing clinician in the relevant specialty
- 03Cross-checked against current Indian clinical practice
- 04Updated when guidelines or pricing change materially
Medical disclaimer: AltisPath is a treatment decision and guidance platform. This article is educational and is not a substitute for a personal medical consultation. Treatment decisions should be made with a qualified clinician who has reviewed your individual case.