Types of Hair Loss (The Diagnosis Matters)

Treatment depends entirely on the cause. The most important first step is identifying what type of hair loss you have:

  • Androgenetic alopecia (male/female-pattern baldness): Genetic, progressive. The most common type. In men: receding hairline and crown thinning. In women: diffuse thinning on the top of the scalp. Responds to minoxidil and finasteride.
  • Telogen effluvium: Diffuse shedding 2–3 months after a trigger event: illness, surgery, rapid weight loss, crash dieting, childbirth, high stress, thyroid issues, iron deficiency. Usually self-resolves once the trigger is addressed. Often mistaken for permanent hair loss.
  • Alopecia areata: Immune system attacks hair follicles, causing patchy circular bald spots. Requires medical treatment.
  • Nutritional deficiency: Iron, zinc, protein and biotin deficiencies can cause hair shedding. A blood test can identify these.

Evidence-Based Treatments

  1. 1

    Minoxidil (Rogaine — available over-the-counter)

    Topical minoxidil (2% for women, 5% for men) applied to the scalp once or twice daily is the most widely used hair loss treatment. It works by extending the hair growth phase and widening hair follicles. Results take 3–6 months to appear. Hair loss may temporarily increase in the first few weeks (shedding phase) — this is normal. It must be used indefinitely — stopping reverses the benefit. Oral minoxidil at low doses is now also available by prescription in Australia and has shown good results.

  2. 2

    Finasteride (Propecia — prescription only, men)

    Finasteride is a prescription tablet that blocks the conversion of testosterone to DHT (the hormone responsible for androgenetic alopecia). Highly effective at stopping hair loss progression and promoting regrowth in most men. Requires a GP prescription. Side effects (reduced libido, erectile dysfunction) occur in a minority of users. Not suitable for women of childbearing age — can cause birth defects.

  3. 3

    Address nutritional deficiencies

    A blood test (ferritin, thyroid function, zinc, vitamin D) from your GP can identify deficiencies contributing to hair shedding. Iron deficiency is particularly common in women with heavy periods. Supplementing deficiencies often significantly reduces shedding within 2–3 months of correction.

  4. 4

    Reduce damaging practices

    Reduce heat styling, tight hairstyles (traction alopecia from ponytails and braids), bleaching and chemical processing. These do not cause androgenetic alopecia but can worsen thinning hair and cause traction-related hair loss over time.

See a GP firstHair loss can be a symptom of thyroid disease, anaemia, hormonal conditions (PCOS) and other medical issues. A GP consultation and blood tests before beginning any treatment identifies reversible causes that treatment alone will not address. This is general information, not medical advice.

Frequently Asked Questions

Most “hair growth shampoos” and biotin supplements have minimal evidence for effectiveness in people without a specific deficiency. Biotin is widely marketed but only helps with hair loss caused by biotin deficiency (uncommon). Caffeine shampoos have some preliminary evidence of mild benefit. None come close to the effectiveness of minoxidil or finasteride for androgenetic alopecia. Save your money for treatments with actual evidence.
Telogen effluvium is diffuse hair shedding triggered by a shock to the system (illness, surgery, extreme stress, rapid weight loss, childbirth). It starts 2–3 months after the trigger and peaks at 3–6 months. The vast majority of people fully regrow their hair within 6–12 months once the trigger resolves. It is alarming when happening but usually fully reversible. Focus on addressing the underlying trigger (stress, nutrition, health) rather than treating the hair itself.