Thinning Hair: A Realistic Timeline, What the Evidence Supports and Where PRP Fits

Want to know why your hair is thinning? Message us on WhatsApp, book a consultation or call 020 3951 3429.

Get the cause right first

The treatment depends on the cause. Losing 50 to 100 hairs a day is normal (NHS: Hair loss). Pattern hair loss is inherited and gradual. Shedding after illness, childbirth or stress is usually temporary. Low iron, thyroid problems and some medicines can also play a part. A doctor can check which applies and arrange blood tests if needed.

What the evidence supports for pattern hair loss

NICE Clinical Knowledge Summaries names topical minoxidil and oral finasteride 1 mg as the drug treatments for male pattern hair loss, alongside aesthetic options such as hairpieces and styling (NICE CKS: Male pattern hair loss). Female pattern hair loss has its own pathway, so the first step is an accurate diagnosis.

A realistic timeline

- Months 0 to 3: starting treatment. Hair may shed a little before it settles. Take dated photos in the same light.

- Months 4 to 6: a prescriber should assess response at 4 to 6 months (NICE CKS).

- Month 12: if there is no response after 1 year, or 4 months for minoxidil 5% scalp foam, NICE CKS advises stopping and considering referral to a dermatologist.

- Ongoing: if treatment works it needs to continue. NICE CKS says stopping leads to loss of benefit within 3 to 12 months, sometimes with rebound shedding.

Start with a doctor-led plan and a clear review date. Message us on WhatsApp, book a consultation or call 020 3951 3429.

Where does PRP fit?

PRP uses a concentrated sample of your own platelets, injected into the scalp. It is not a standard NHS treatment and is not in the NICE CKS drug pathway above. Published evidence is mixed in quality, so we do not promise results. It tends to be considered alongside, not instead of, established treatment, and only after a diagnosis. If it suits you, PRP is £450 per session or £1,215 for a course of 3.

Checklist for your first appointment

- When did you first notice thinning, and where?

- Family history on both sides.

- Recent illness, weight change, new medicines or supplements.

- Diet, iron-rich foods and any recent blood tests.

- Photos from a year ago for comparison.

- What you want: slower loss, regrowth or cosmetic cover.

Red flags

See a doctor promptly for sudden or patchy hair loss, a sore, itchy or scaly scalp, scarring, or hair loss with tiredness, weight change or other new symptoms.

How to start

A consultation with one of our doctors is £59 by phone (15 minutes), £150 by video or £220 in person at Unit 4, 10 Portman Square, London W1H 6AZ. We will find the likely cause, explain the free NHS routes and tell you honestly which options are worth your money.

Frequently asked questions

How long before I see results?

NICE CKS says response should be assessed after 4 to 6 months of drug treatment.

Will hair loss treatment be permanent?

If treatment works it generally needs to continue, because benefit is lost within 3 to 12 months of stopping (NICE CKS).

Does the NHS help?

A GP can assess hair loss and prescribe treatment. Wigs for male pattern balding are not generally available on the NHS (NICE CKS).

Ready to talk to a doctor? Message us on WhatsApp, book a consultation or call 020 3951 3429.

Written by The Wellness Team and medically reviewed by The Wellness Clinical Team. This article is for information only and does not replace a consultation with a doctor.