You should see a hair loss specialist as soon as you notice consistent thinning at the temples, a widening part, or recession beyond a normal mature hairline. Androgenetic alopecia affects 50% of men by age 50, and the single biggest factor in treatment success is timing. Men who start treatment early preserve significantly more hair than those who wait until loss is advanced.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice.
Clear Signs You Should Book an Appointment
Not every shed hair warrants a doctor visit. Losing 50 to 100 hairs per day is normal. The following signs, however, indicate that a professional evaluation is warranted.
Noticeable Thinning or Recession
If your hairline has receded beyond its juvenile position and formed an M-shape at the temples, or if the hair at your crown is visibly thinner than it was a year ago, androgenetic alopecia is the most likely cause. The earlier you confirm the diagnosis and begin treatment, the more follicles you preserve.
Check your current stage against the Norwood scale for a preliminary self-assessment.
Family History of Baldness
If your father, maternal grandfather, or other close male relatives experienced pattern hair loss, your risk is elevated. You do not need to wait for visible thinning to consult a specialist. Preventive treatment with finasteride can be started at the earliest signs of miniaturization, even before loss is visible to the naked eye.
Rapid or Sudden Hair Loss
Androgenetic alopecia progresses gradually over months and years. If you are losing large amounts of hair over days or weeks, the cause is likely something else: telogen effluvium (stress or illness-related shedding), alopecia areata (autoimmune patches), thyroid disorders, or nutritional deficiency. These conditions require prompt diagnosis and different treatment approaches.
Patchy Hair Loss
Well-defined bald patches that appear suddenly suggest alopecia areata, a condition where the immune system attacks hair follicles. This is distinct from androgenetic alopecia and requires specific treatment. See a dermatologist promptly if you notice circular or irregular patches of complete hair loss.
Scalp Changes
Redness, scaling, itching, or scarring alongside hair loss may indicate a scalp condition such as seborrheic dermatitis, psoriasis, or scarring alopecia. These conditions can cause permanent follicle damage if left untreated.
What Type of Specialist to See
Dermatologist
A board-certified dermatologist is the best first point of contact. Dermatologists are trained to diagnose all types of hair loss, differentiate between conditions, order appropriate lab work, and prescribe medication. Look for a dermatologist with specific interest or fellowship training in hair disorders (trichology).
Hair Transplant Surgeon
If you are considering surgical restoration, consult a surgeon who specializes in hair transplantation. Membership in the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery (ISHRS) or similar professional organizations indicates specialized training and commitment to the field. See the FUE vs FUT comparison to understand your surgical options before your consultation.
Trichologist
Trichologists specialize in hair and scalp health but are not medical doctors in most jurisdictions. They can provide helpful assessments and product recommendations but cannot prescribe medication or perform procedures. A trichologist is a complement to, not a replacement for, a dermatologist.
How to Prepare for Your Appointment
Arriving prepared helps your specialist make an accurate diagnosis quickly.
What to Bring
Gather photos of yourself from the past 1, 3, and 5 years that clearly show your hairline and crown. These provide objective evidence of change over time. Note any medications or supplements you currently take, as some drugs can cause or contribute to hair loss. Document your family history of hair loss on both sides of the family.
Questions to Ask
Ask your specialist what type of hair loss they are diagnosing and how they confirmed it. Ask about the stage of your loss, what treatments they recommend and why, and what results you can realistically expect. If surgery is discussed, ask about the surgeon's experience, their graft survival rates, and whether you can see before-and-after photos of previous patients with similar patterns.
Why Waiting Costs You Hair
Every month without treatment is a month where DHT continues miniaturizing vulnerable follicles. Once a follicle has been dormant long enough, it cannot be revived by medication. The men who maintain the most hair long-term are those who started finasteride at the first signs of thinning, not those who waited until loss was obvious to everyone around them.
Even if you are unsure whether your hair loss warrants concern, a single consultation can provide clarity and a baseline for future comparison.
Get an instant, free AI assessment of your hair loss pattern at myhairline.ai/analyze before your specialist appointment.