Hair Loss Treatment in Pakistan

This is the most common cause of hair loss in both men and women. If your parents or grandparents experienced baldness, you are more likely to as well. In men, androgenic alopecia, also called male pattern hair loss, causes a receding hairline at the front and thinning on top of the head. In women, it shows up as hair thinning all over the scalp, usually without a fully receding hairline.

This type of hair loss is linked to how sensitive your hair follicles are to a hormone called DHT (dihydrotestosterone). South Asian men, including those in Pakistan, tend to have a higher sensitivity to DHT, which is why this type of balding is extremely common here.

Hormones play a major role in hair growth. Any hormonal shift can push more hairs into the shedding phase. Common hormonal causes include:

• PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome): Very common among women in Pakistan. High androgen levels in PCOS can cause hair thinning at the temples and front of the scalp — similar to male pattern hair loss.
• Thyroid Disorders: Both an overactive and underactive thyroid can cause significant hair shedding and diffuse hair thinning.
• Post-Pregnancy Hair Loss: Many women experience sudden hair fall a few months after giving birth. This condition, called postpartum telogen effluvium, is usually temporary.
• Menopause: Falling oestrogen levels during menopause can lead to noticeable hair thinning and reduced hair density in women.

Severe physical or emotional stress can push large numbers of hair follicles into the resting phase at the same time. Several months later, those hairs shed all at once, this condition is called telogen effluvium. You may notice hair falling out in clumps or coming out more than usual when you wash or brush it.

Common triggers include a serious illness, major surgery, a high fever, extreme weight loss, bereavement, or a period of intense emotional pressure. The good news is that this type of hair loss is usually temporary. Once the stress is resolved, hair typically returns to normal thickness within 6 to 9 months, though recovery is faster with the right care and nutritional support.

Nutritional deficiencies are a significant and often overlooked cause of hair loss, particularly in Pakistan where dietary habits can leave certain gaps. The most common deficiencies linked to hair fall are:

• Iron Deficiency: Extremely common among Pakistani women, especially those with heavy menstrual cycles. Low iron levels can reduce oxygen supply to hair follicles and trigger excessive hair shedding.
• Vitamin D Deficiency: Widespread across Pakistan due to limited sun exposure, particularly in women who wear full coverings. Low vitamin D levels may contribute to weak hair follicles and hair thinning.
• Zinc Deficiency: Zinc is essential for healthy hair tissue growth and repair. A lack of zinc can lead to hair breakage, thinning, and slower hair regrowth.
• Biotin Deficiency: Biotin supports the production of keratin, the protein your hair is made of. Insufficient biotin may result in brittle hair and increased hair fall.
• Low Protein Intake: Hair is almost entirely made of protein. Poor protein intake can cause weak, thinning hair and excessive shedding over time.

A blood test can quickly identify whether a deficiency is contributing to your hair fall.

In alopecia areata, the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy hair follicles, causing sudden bald patches on the scalp or beard. These patches can appear quickly and are often smooth and round. In some cases, hair grows back on its own. In others, the condition spreads or becomes more severe.

There are different forms, including alopecia totalis (complete scalp hair loss) and alopecia universalis (hair loss across the entire body). Treatment options include steroid injections, immunotherapy, and in some cases, targeted medications.

Repeatedly pulling hair into tight styles, such as tight braids, ponytails, or using heating tools, can damage hair follicles over time. This is called traction alopecia. Using harsh chemical relaxers, excessive dyeing, or perming treatments weakens the hair shaft and leads to breakage and thinning. In many cases, this type of hair damage is preventable with gentler styling habits.

Fungal infections like ringworm of the scalp (tinea capitis) can cause patchy hair loss, usually accompanied by itching, scaling, or redness. This type of hair loss responds well to antifungal treatment once correctly diagnosed.

Chemotherapy drugs target rapidly dividing cells, including hair follicle cells. This is why hair loss is a well-known side effect of cancer treatment. Radiation therapy directed at the head can also cause hair loss in the treated area. In most cases, hair begins to grow back within a few months after treatment ends, though texture or colour may temporarily change.

As you age, your hair naturally grows more slowly and the individual strands become thinner. Eventually, some follicles stop producing hair altogether. This is a gradual process, but it can become noticeable in your 40s and 50s. Early treatment with minoxidil or hair restoration procedures can significantly slow this progression.

Certain medications can trigger hair shedding as a side effect. These include blood thinners, some blood pressure medications, antidepressants, and high-dose vitamin A supplements. If you noticed hair loss shortly after starting a new medication, mention this to your doctor.

We examine your scalp, hair density, and the pattern of loss to identify the likely type of alopecia.

We ask about your family history, recent stress or illness, medication use, diet, and lifestyle — all of which can directly affect hair growth.

We may recommend blood tests to check for iron levels, thyroid function, vitamin D, zinc, hormones (including androgens and oestrogen), and markers of autoimmune activity.

A gentle test where a small cluster of hairs is pulled to assess how many are in the shedding phase and how firmly follicles are anchored.

A magnified examination of the scalp and hair follicles that helps us assess follicle health without any invasive procedures.