The first signs are often subtle: a few extra strands in the shower, a slightly wider part, or a photograph where your scalp is more visible than before. But the impact isn’t subtle at all. Hair loss can affect how you see yourself and navigate daily life. At South Yarra Dermatology, we understand that hair loss is deeply personal. That’s why we treat the whole person, not just the scalp, with evidence-based treatments and compassionate care.
Every hair loss story is personal, and that’s where we begin: by hearing yours. We want to know when you first noticed thinning, what changes you’ve seen, and what you’ve tried so far. We then conduct a thorough examination of your scalp and, if needed, arrange appropriate tests to understand what’s driving the condition.
Male hair loss can stem from genetics (the most common cause), hormonal imbalances, autoimmune conditions, nutritional deficiencies, certain medications, or prolonged stress. Understanding the cause shapes your treatment approach. We explain the available options and what to expect from each.
Hair regrowth takes time, often months, so an honest conversation early on helps establish realistic expectations. Our role is to guide and support you with clear explanations and evidence-based care.
Every hair loss story is personal, and that’s where we begin: by hearing yours. We want to know when you first noticed thinning, what changes you’ve seen, and what you’ve tried so far. We then conduct a thorough examination of your scalp and, if needed, arrange appropriate tests to understand what’s driving the condition.
Male hair loss can stem from genetics (the most common cause), hormonal imbalances, autoimmune conditions, nutritional deficiencies, certain medications, or prolonged stress. Understanding the cause shapes your treatment approach. We explain the available options and what to expect from each.
Hair regrowth takes time, often months, so an honest conversation early on helps establish realistic expectations. Our role is to guide and support you with clear explanations and evidence-based care.
Every hair loss story is different, and so is every approach to treatment. Before recommending therapies, we take time to understand when you first noticed thinning, what patterns you’ve observed, and how it affects your daily life. This helps us create a plan that’s tailored to your specific presentation and your goals.
Best for: All men experiencing hair loss, regardless of cause
Downtime: None
The foundation of hair health begins with how you care for your scalp and hair daily. Gentle cleansing with pH-balanced, sulphate-free shampoos protects the scalp barrier without stripping natural oils. We guide you on appropriate washing frequency, product selection for your hair and scalp type, and styling practices that minimise stress on hair follicles.
If inflammatory scalp conditions contribute to hair loss, we recommend using medicated shampoos as part of your hair care regimen, along with regular scalp massage, which can boost circulation and may support hair thickness over time. We also encourage you to protect your hair from sun exposure and to prioritise overall wellbeing through good sleep, regular exercise, and effective stress-management, to create the best environment for healthy growth.
Best for: Male pattern hair loss, early-stage thinning, or as part of combination therapy
Downtime: None
Topical treatments applied directly to the scalp can help stimulate hair follicles, prolong the growth phase, and improve hair density. These treatments work by increasing blood flow to the scalp and potentially enlarging miniaturised hair follicles that have become thin and weak over time.
We prescribe topical treatments based on your hair loss pattern, lifestyle, tolerance for daily application, and treatment goals. We also teach proper application technique, including: how much to use, where to apply, and how to integrate it into your routine so it becomes sustainable rather than burdensome. Consistency is essential, as these treatments typically require ongoing use to maintain benefits. We monitor your progress through regular follow-up visits and adjust your plan as needed.
Best for: Moderate to severe male pattern hair loss, hormonally-driven thinning, or when topical treatments alone are insufficient
Downtime: None
Prescription therapies treat hair loss systemically, targeting different mechanisms depending on the cause. Some block hormonal pathways that lead to follicle miniaturisation, others modulate immune activity in autoimmune-related hair loss, and some correct deficiencies or imbalances that affect growth.
We carefully select prescription treatments, taking into account your diagnosis, medical history, age, and lifestyle. These therapies often work best when initiated early and typically require ongoing use to maintain their benefits. We explain what to expect, outline timelines and monitoring needs, and schedule regular follow-ups to track progress and adjust your plan as needed.
Best for: Patchy hair loss (alopecia areata), localised thinning, or as an adjunct to other treatments
Downtime: Minimal to none
Injectable treatments deliver medication or regenerative agents directly into your scalp, making them especially useful for localised hair loss. In alopecia areata, an autoimmune condition that causes patchy shedding, corticosteroid injections suppress the local immune reaction that damages hair follicles. We typically administer these injections with fine needles every four to six weeks.
We may also use Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy. It involves drawing a small sample of your blood, processing it to concentrate platelets and growth factors, and injecting this plasma into thinning areas. Treatment usually begins with a series of sessions, followed by periodic maintenance. We often combine PRP with other therapies rather than using it alone.
Hair loss can develop at any age and affects men differently throughout life. Our approach provides personalised care tailored to your individual presentation, whether thinning began in early adulthood or developed more recently.
Effective hair loss treatment is built on thorough assessment and open communication. We listen carefully to your experience, documenting when thinning began, what patterns you’ve observed, what concerns you have. We explain your diagnosis clearly, outline appropriate treatment options, and discuss what to expect at each stage.
Your treatment plan needs to work within the reality of your life. We select therapies based on your diagnosis, daily routine, treatment tolerance, and long-term goals, balancing effectiveness with sustainability.
Hair growth takes time, often many months, and responses vary. We schedule regular follow-ups to track progress, adjust treatments when needed, and answer questions as they arise. This ongoing support and adjustment gives you the best chance of slowing progression, maintaining density, or achieving regrowth where possible.
Most hair loss treatments take several months for visible improvement to become apparent. Hair grows slowly, and follicles cycle through growth phases that take time to complete. Initial shedding is common in the first weeks as weak hairs are replaced, followed by stabilisation around three months and visible regrowth typically by six to twelve months. Patience and consistency are essential. We use progress photographs at follow-up visits to help you observe changes that may be difficult to notice day-to-day.
Early intervention generally yields better outcomes. Treating hair loss before significant miniaturisation or follicle loss occurs provides the best opportunity for preserving and potentially regrowing hair. If you’re noticing thinning, increased shedding, or changes in hair density, seeking professional assessment sooner is advisable.
That said, treatment can still be beneficial even when hair loss has been present for some years. We assess each person individually and provide honest guidance on what may be achievable at your current stage.
It depends on the cause and severity. Temporary hair loss such as telogen effluvium often resolves completely once the underlying trigger is addressed. Early-stage androgenetic alopecia may respond well to treatment, though complete reversal to original density is uncommon. Advanced androgenetic alopecia, present for many years, is less likely to fully reverse; however, treatment can still slow progression and modestly improve density.
Scarring alopecia causes permanent follicle damage and cannot be reversed, though treatment may halt further progression. We provide realistic expectations based on your specific diagnosis, its severity, and the available treatment options.
Usually not, but hair loss can occasionally signal underlying health conditions that warrant investigation. Thyroid disorders, iron deficiency anaemia, autoimmune conditions, hormonal imbalances, and nutritional deficiencies can all cause or contribute to hair loss.
Sudden, severe, or patchy hair loss, particularly when accompanied by other symptoms such as fatigue, weight changes, or skin changes, should be assessed promptly. During consultation, we take a comprehensive medical history, examine your scalp and overall health, and arrange blood tests when indicated to identify or rule out underlying conditions requiring treatment.
It depends on the type of hair loss. Androgenetic alopecia (pattern hair loss) is progressive; without treatment, thinning typically worsens gradually over the years. Treatment can slow or halt progression and sometimes promote regrowth. Telogen effluvium (stress-related or trigger-related shedding) is typically temporary and usually resolves once the underlying cause is addressed.
Alopecia areata is unpredictable, some people experience spontaneous regrowth, while others have recurring or persistent patches. We assess your specific diagnosis and stage of progression, providing realistic expectations about natural progression and potential treatment outcomes.
The appropriate treatment depends on your diagnosis, severity of hair loss, medical history, lifestyle, preferences, and goals. During consultation, we conduct a thorough assessment, explain your diagnosis clearly, and discuss all suitable treatment options, including how they work, expected timelines, potential side effects, and practical considerations.
We guide you through the decision-making process but ultimately respect your choices and priorities. Most treatment plans combine multiple approaches tailored to your specific situation. We adjust treatments based on your response, any side effects, and changing needs over time.
Not everyone responds to every treatment, and the degree of response varies. If initial treatments don’t deliver expected results after an appropriate timeframe (typically six to twelve months), we reassess. This may involve adjusting dosages, switching medications, adding combination therapies, investigating other contributing factors, or exploring alternative approaches.
Some forms of hair loss, such as advanced androgenetic alopecia or scarring alopecia, present greater treatment challenges. We maintain honest communication about realistic expectations and work with you to identify the most effective approach for your situation. Even when significant regrowth is limited, slowing progression represents a valuable outcome.
If you have a strong family history of hair loss, early intervention—before significant thinning occurs—may offer the best opportunity for long-term hair preservation. Preventive treatment with certain medications can potentially slow or delay onset in people at high genetic risk.
However, these medications require ongoing use and carry potential side effects, so the decision to begin preventive treatment involves carefully weighing benefits against commitment and risks. We provide honest guidance on whether preventive treatment is appropriate for your situation, family history, and priorities.
Genetics is the primary factor in androgenetic alopecia (pattern hair loss). If your parents or grandparents experienced hair loss, you’re at higher risk. The condition is polygenic, meaning multiple genes contribute, inherited from both sides of the family.
However, genetics doesn’t determine your fate entirely, treatment can slow or reverse genetically driven hair loss even when family history is strong. Other forms of hair loss also have genetic components but are influenced by environmental triggers, immune factors, or stress. Understanding your genetic risk helps guide early intervention and realistic expectations.
Yes. Certain medications can cause temporary hair shedding (telogen effluvium), including some blood pressure medications, antidepressants, anticoagulants, chemotherapy agents, retinoids, and beta-blockers. Hormonal medications, such as certain contraceptives or hormone replacement therapies can also trigger hair changes.
If we suspect medication-related hair loss, we review your medication history and, when appropriate, communicate with your prescribing doctor about alternatives. Hair usually regrows several months after discontinuing the causative medication, though stopping isn’t always possible or advisable depending on the underlying medical condition being treated.
Long-term success depends on ongoing treatment, consistent hair care practices, regular follow-up, and lifestyle factors that support hair health. Continue prescribed medications as directed. Stopping treatment typically leads to gradual loss of benefits. Attend follow-up appointments so we can monitor progress, adjust treatments, and identify any issues early.
Maintain gentle hair care practices, manage stress effectively, eat a balanced diet, and address any new health conditions promptly. Hair loss management is a long-term commitment, but with consistency and partnership, sustained improvement is achievable.
Yes, in most cases. Hair colouring, styling, and chemical treatments don’t typically interfere with medical hair loss treatments. However, harsh chemicals, excessive heat, or aggressive styling can damage hair and worsen breakage, so gentler techniques are preferable.
If you have scalp inflammation or sensitivity, we may recommend temporarily avoiding certain hair treatments until the scalp heals. We provide guidance on hair care practices that protect your hair while allowing you to maintain your preferred style during treatment.
