Sudden, smooth, coin-sized bald patches are different to pattern loss — and they need a medical look before anything else.
Patchy hair loss — distinct round or oval smooth patches that appear fairly suddenly — behaves very differently to the gradual thinning of pattern loss. Because it can have specific medical causes, including autoimmune ones, it is important not to reach for cosmetic treatments first; the right step is a proper medical assessment to understand what is driving it.
At your consultation we examine the patches closely under the microscope, take a careful history, and arrange any tests needed to find the cause. The pattern, the edges of the patch, and what the surrounding hair is doing all tell us a great deal, and getting the diagnosis right is what determines whether and how it should be treated.
We are deliberately cautious here, because the wrong assumption leads to the wrong treatment. Some patchy loss recovers, some needs specific medical management, and we will always be straight with you about what we are seeing and what the sensible next step is — including referring on where that is the right thing to do.
Signs to look for
- Smooth, round or oval bald patches
- Patches that appeared fairly suddenly
- Loss in one or several distinct spots
- Sometimes changes to nails alongside
Common causes
- Can be autoimmune or medical
- Sometimes stress-associated
- Needs a diagnosis, not assumptions
Treatments we use for this
The right combination depends on your scan and your goals — these are the options that most often feature in a plan for this pattern.
Hair-Loss Consultation & Trichoscopy
A doctor-led assessment with a microscope scalp scan — the starting point for every treatment plan.
Learn more
Medical Scalp-Revitalising Treatment
A deep cleanse and nutrient infusion for a congested, irritated or oily scalp that hair struggles in.
Learn more