{
  "what": "Hair loss treatment starts with identifying the kind of hair loss, pattern thinning, diffuse shedding, patchy autoimmune loss, traction or scarring alopecia, because each is treated differently. At Dr Sin Yong's practice on Orchard Road, Singapore, he types the loss with trichoscopy and blood tests where relevant; for androgenetic thinning, prescription medicines such as finasteride and minoxidil form the foundation, with H2LT laser, exosome scalp treatment and Regenera Activa micrografts layered around them. A follicle already lost cannot be regrown, and hair transplants are referred on.",
  "key_facts": [
    "Types: androgenetic alopecia (DHT-driven miniaturisation, graded Norwood I–VII in men and Ludwig I–III in women); telogen effluvium (diffuse shedding after a trigger such as illness, childbirth, crash dieting or stress); alopecia areata (autoimmune patches, graded by SALT score); traction alopecia; scarring alopecia",
    "Assessment: history, trichoscopy, pattern grading and standardised photographs; blood tests such as iron stores, zinc, folate and thyroid function where they can change the plan",
    "Medicines: finasteride, a prescription medicine that blocks type II 5-alpha reductase and DHT production at the scalp; minoxidil, topical or low-dose oral (an off-label use), which prolongs the growth phase; side effects are discussed before prescribing",
    "Adjuncts: H2LT laser followed by low-level laser therapy, exosome scalp treatment, Regenera Activa autologous micrografts and injected polynucleotides, used here in place of PRP; adjuncts do not replace medical therapy",
    "Transplant: considered when a zone is smooth and bare with an adequate donor area; Dr Sin Yong does not perform hair transplants and refers to a hair transplant team; a transplant redistributes hair but does not stop the loss behind it",
    "Referred to dermatology: suspected scarring alopecia such as frontal fibrosing alopecia or lichen planopilaris, and extensive or fast-moving alopecia areata",
    "Wait or avoid: pregnancy, planning pregnancy or breastfeeding for anti-androgen therapy; active scalp infection or inflammation; an unconfirmed cause; significant liver disease or uncontrolled heart or blood pressure problems for certain oral medicines",
    "See a doctor: sudden, patchy, painful or scarring loss; redness, scaling or smooth shiny areas; heavy shedding after a trigger; hair loss with tiredness, weight change, irregular periods or acne; a parting or hairline that keeps moving back"
  ],
  "references": [
    "Female Pattern Hair Loss: A Clinical, Pathophysiologic, and Therapeutic Review. PMC. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6322157/",
    "Female Pattern Hair Loss. DermNet NZ. https://dermnetnz.org/topics/female-pattern-hair-loss",
    "Walker CW, Champigny D, Hartman T, et al. Hair loss: A systematic approach to evaluation, diagnosis, and management. JAAPA 2026. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42647672/",
    "Bergfeld WF, Mendez D. Shedding: An updated guide to a common cause of hair loss. Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine 2026. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42823125/",
    "Adil A, Godwin M. The effectiveness of treatments for androgenetic alopecia: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology 2017. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28396101/"
  ],
  "owner_url": "https://drsinyong.com/hair-restoration/",
  "doctor": "Dr Sin Yong, aesthetic physician, Orchard Road, Singapore",
  "updated": "2026-10-31"
}