Dermatologist for hair loss

[Proudfoot76]

Could anybody please recommend a dermatologist for hair loss in London? I’m 45 and perimenopausal, and I’m losing shocking amounts every time I wash my hair! Thank you for any advice.

This has happened to quite a few people I know post Covid.

My last infection was mid July and mine started falling out in alarming amounts end of September.

Just worth thinking about.

Hi, I have been told by someone I know that taking collagen ampules helped them massively and new hairs are starting to grow within 3 weeks. Maybe not everyone gets the same effect or speed of effect, but it‘s supposed to be good against thinning skin too.
I‘m going to be trying it, maybe it helps.

That’s interesting - I had Covid for the first time at the end of June. Not very badly. Wonder if it’s that.

I had Covid earlier this year and started having lots of hair loss after. I went to the doctor - had blood test - low iron levels. Have been on iron tablets for 2 months and hair loss has slowed down a lot - more normal now.

Covid for me was pretty mild (glossing over the autoimmune reaction post Covid) but my red blood cells post Covid are misshapen.

Oh and DD 23 who passed Covid on is also shedding hair massively.

Hi just wondering if you found anyone?

@Sorchak I went to someone at a hair and skin clinic in London but I wouldn't recommend, I thought they were a bit rubbish. They took pics from all angles for records, and said I had female pattern hair loss and telogen effluvium. Didn't take bloods as doctor already had. Suggested spironolactone, Regaine, etc. But I really don't want to start on a path of medication if I don't have to. Will go back in a few months to compare pics and see if it's getting worse -- that at least is useful.
Coincidentally I went to another dermatologist re a skin thing and mentioned the issue. I said I had a Ferritin level of 25, which GP says is normal, and she said that was pretty low (which makes sense, I am having heavy perimenopausal periods) and that she'd focus on trying to up ferritin levels before trying medication. I have been taking an iron supplement for a couple of months now. She said there's no evidence for ingesting collagen having any effect on hair or skin, other than slightly hydrating the skin, I'm afraid.
My hair does possibly seem to be growing back. Baby hairs on hairline. I do think it's possible it was caused by Covid and might just have gown back anyway. Fingers very much crossed. It certainly isn't shedding in the way it was before, in clumps down my back in the shower, August to October last year.

I had a similar diagnosis from a private GP. She run some bloods and all was ok, however even if my Ferritin was in the healthy range, she explained that there is scientific evidence that it has to be much higher for hair to regrow/stop falling. She suggested I take iron supplements for 3 months and see if that helps (you don't see results before 3 months she said).
This was last September I think and now I visibly shedding way less hair! I have also applied some changes in my routine as applying a solution that stimulate the follicles after every wash (it's just tea tree and peppermint I think) and massage my scalp every day. I am very much looking forward to see my parting line getting thicker!

A ferritin level of 25 is very low indeed. Yes, it's within the 'normal' range but it's way too low for hair to flourish. I remember reading that ferritin needs to be around 70 for hair loss to stop and around 100 for it to begin growing again. Those levels are approximate.

I was told my ferritin levels were normal when they were 11 - the range was 11-314! Once the levels reached above 60, the hair loss slowed down.

If you haven't had any blood tests, it might be a good idea. thyroid issues can cause hair thinning, as can high blood glucose.

As a PP mentioned, it seems that Covid effects the immune system and can cause hair loss/thinning too.