Introduction
Understanding what to expect during a consultation with Dr Amy at The Hair GP can provide clarity and peace of mind. Hair loss can be multifaceted, often requiring expertise to pinpoint the cause and explore the best treatment options. At The Hair GP, we pride ourselves on offering a personalised and comprehensive approach to hair restoration, ensuring every patient receives the care they deserve.
What to Expect in Your Consultation
Upon entering our clinic, you’ll be welcomed by Dr. Amy, who possesses specialised training in both trichology, hair transplantation and general practice. This unique expertise enables us to offer treatments that surpass over-the-counter solutions. It also means you receive evidence-based advice tailored to your condition, considering medical and lifestyle factors. As Dr Amy is a GP, she can also provide advice and prescriptions for hormonal causes of hair loss, including menopause, thereby avoiding the need for an additional visit to an NHS GP, which other clinics may require.
A Holistic Approach to Hair Care
Understanding that hair loss is not curable but managed; we focus on creating a treatment plan that fits your lifestyle and needs. Our method is not just about managing symptoms but crafting a long-term strategy that evolves with you. We emphasise the importance of professional assessment over self-diagnosis, as treatments purchased online often lack the tailored approach necessary for effective results. We offer options from surgical solutions like hair transplants to injectables such as PRP and polynucleotides. Additionally, we provide medications, more conservative lifestyle changes, and serums.
Diagnostic and Treatment Options
During your initial consultation, we conduct an in-depth analysis of your hair and scalp to identify whether you’re dealing with scarring or non-scarring hair loss. If scarring is suspected, we suggest an onward referral to a dermatologist for further evaluation. We can either provide a letter for your GP to make the referral on the NHS, if appropriate or help support a private referral. Our clinic offers various treatment options, from lifestyle modifications and medications to cutting-edge DNA testing for personalised topical solutions. We also explore regenerative aesthetics when appropriate, ensuring all potential avenues are considered.
An initial consultation, priced at £300, lasts 30-60 minutes and comprehensively discusses your medical history and hair loss journey. This session includes an in-depth scalp analysis using trichoscopy, along with any necessary medication prescriptions. Please note that additional costs apply for blood tests or genetic testing, which may be conducted during the initial consultation if time allows or during a subsequent follow-up visit.
Complementing the NHS Services
While we provide a more comprehensive range of options than typically available through NHS services, our goal is to complement rather than replace them. We offer extended consultation times, enabling us to thoroughly explore your hair concerns and provide a detailed assessment during each in-person consultation. Our initial appointments are generally 60 minutes, unlike the 10 minutes you might get with your NHS GP.
Preparing for Your Consultation
Before your appointment, you’ll receive a medical questionnaire to complete. This helps us maximise the efficiency of your session. We encourage you to be open about past treatments and share any relevant medical records or test results. Good-quality photographs of your hair will also assist in our assessment.
You can contact your NHS GP for more information by asking for a ‘Brief Summary,’ which will include a medical problem list, medications, and any recent tests you have had. This free service can typically be emailed to you or printed at reception. If you’ve had blood tests, it may be beneficial to request a separate copy to ensure all results are included.
Letters from other specialists can also be helpful to bring along to the appointment, aiding in providing the most holistic care.
Specialised Care for Perimenopausal or Menopausal Women
At the Hair GP, we are uniquely positioned to support women experiencing hair loss that may have a hormonal cause. Dr Amy is dual-trained in hair restoration and general practice, allowing her to advise and prescribe hormone replacement therapy (HRT) without needing patients to consult their GP. This streamlined approach sets us apart, as many other clinics lack this in-house expertise and often require patients to return to their NHS GP or seek menopausal support elsewhere. Our comprehensive care ensures that women receive the attention and treatment they need in one convenient location.
The Path Forward
Post-consultation, you’ll receive a detailed email summarising our findings and recommendations. This communication can also be shared with your GP if you would like to facilitate any necessary referrals. Ongoing support and follow-up appointments ensure your treatment aligns with your evolving needs.
At The Hair GP, we are committed to providing a supportive and informative environment where patients feel empowered to take control of their hair restoration journey. Whether you’re considering a hair transplant or exploring other treatment options, our expert team guides you every step of the way. To learn more about our range of services or to book your consultation, visit our website today
FAQ’s
Yes, we can prescribe medications during the consultation if necessary. While medications are highly effective for some individuals, others may find them unsuitable or may benefit more from an injectable treatment that eliminates the need for daily reminders. Additionally, we offer HRT prescriptions, a unique service, as Dr. Amy is dual trained. Typically, others would refer you to your NHS GP for such prescriptions.
At the Hair GP, we do not charge for prescriptions during medical consultations. However, when you pick up your prescription at a pharmacy, you will incur a private prescription fee (determined by the pharmacy) in addition to the cost of the medication. These charges are handled entirely by the pharmacy and are independent of the Hair GP, remaining consistent regardless of which private doctor you consult. If you would like a repeat prescription without a medical consultation there is a small charge for this.
Unfortunately, we cannot provide this service. Scalp biopsies are seldom necessary for most patients and are primarily used by dermatologists to diagnose scarring alopecias—a rare cause of hair loss. If this condition is suspected, we can facilitate a referral to a dermatology specialist. Before scheduling a medical consultation, we ask preliminary screening questions to ensure you see the appropriate professional initially. However, a definitive diagnosis requires a comprehensive medical consultation, including history-taking and scalp examination with a trichoscope.
A medical consultation is often the ideal first step for our patients, as many are unaware of the underlying causes of their hair loss. During a consultation, we can investigate the root cause and develop a tailored treatment plan just for you. While no medical process is infallible, and on rare occasions, a cause for hair loss may remain elusive, we can refer you to a dermatologist, especially if scarring alopecia is suspected. Alternatively, if scarring alopecia is unlikely, we may recommend trialling treatments that could be beneficial. We ensure you are well-informed about the risks, benefits, pros, and cons, enabling you to make an informed decision. Although this may seem like an added expense when subsequently pursuing treatments like PRP, obtaining the correct diagnosis initially can save significant time, money, and stress in the long run.
