Hair Loss in Bangalore: Common Causes and Treatment Options

Hair loss is among the top three reasons patients visit us at Pranava, and it is the condition most likely to have been mistreated before the patient arrives. The internet is saturated with shampoo and supplement recommendations, most of which address the wrong condition or have no clinical evidence behind them.

The Diagnosis Comes First

The most important thing a dermatologist can do for hair loss is arrive at the correct diagnosis before recommending any treatment. We do this through trichoscopy — a dermoscopic examination of the scalp that reveals the calibre, density, and miniaturisation patterns of hair follicles. Combined with a detailed history (onset, family history, recent illnesses, medications, dietary changes), trichoscopy allows an accurate diagnosis in the majority of cases.

Common Hair Loss Types in Bangalore Patients

Androgenetic Alopecia (AGA)

The most common type, caused by DHT-driven miniaturisation of follicles. It is hereditary and progressive. In men, it follows the Hamilton-Norwood pattern; in women, the Ludwig pattern (diffuse thinning over the crown). Treatment must be continuous — there is no cure, only management.

**Effective treatments**: Minoxidil (topical and oral), finasteride (men), spironolactone (women), PRP/GFC injections, low-level laser therapy.

Telogen Effluvium (TE)

Diffuse shedding triggered by a stressor 2–3 months prior — illness (including COVID-19), crash dieting, surgery, childbirth, or significant psychological stress. TE is self-limiting in most cases, but can become chronic if the trigger persists or if it unmasked underlying AGA.

**Treatment**: Address the underlying trigger. Nutritional supplementation where deficiencies are identified. PRP can accelerate recovery.

Alopecia Areata (AA)

An autoimmune condition causing patchy hair loss. Can progress to total scalp (alopecia totalis) or whole-body hair loss (alopecia universalis). New JAK inhibitor treatments have changed the prognosis for severe AA.

**Treatment**: Intralesional corticosteroids, topical immunotherapy, systemic immunosuppressants for extensive disease.

PRP vs GFC — What's the Difference?

Both PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) and GFC (Growth Factor Concentrate) involve drawing the patient's own blood and processing it to concentrate growth factors, which are then injected into the scalp.

GFC is a newer technology that yields a higher, more standardised concentration of growth factors and causes less discomfort because it eliminates the white blood cells that drive injection-site inflammation. At Pranava, we have transitioned to GFC for most hair loss patients.

What Won't Work

• Shampoos marketed for hair growth have no meaningful clinical evidence
• Biotin supplementation only helps if you have a documented biotin deficiency (rare)
• Platelet activating factor inhibitors sold online are unregulated
• Hair transplants are not appropriate until hair loss has been stabilised with medical treatment