Hair and Skin Science

In one clinic study of 178 postmenopausal women aged 50 to 65, 52% had female pattern hair loss, and 73% of those were at the mildest grade. One clinic, so read it as a signal rather than a national figure. The useful part is that most of what was found was early.

It usually shows as thinning over the crown and a part that widens, with the frontal hairline left alone. That is why it goes unnamed for years: the hair gets finer across an area instead of vanishing from a line.

You don’t have to wait for thinning to become obvious before asking about it. If your part looks wider or your crown feels less full, an assessment can help you understand what’s changing and what options may suit you.

This post provides general educational information only and does not replace individual medical advice.

References:
1. Chaikittisilpa S, et al. Prevalence of female pattern hair loss in postmenopausal women: a cross-sectional study. Menopause 2022. doi:10.1097/GME.0000000000001927
2. Bhat YJ, Saqib NU, Latif I, Hassan I. Female pattern hair loss: an update. Indian Dermatol Online J 2020;11(4):493-501.
3. Porrino-Bustamante ML, Fernandez-Pugnaire MA, Arias-Santiago S. Frontal fibrosing alopecia: a review. J Clin Med 2021;10(9):1805.

1,715 grafts. One year on. 📸

A look at this client’s before-and-after journey, 12 months after his hair transplant with Hair & Skin Science. 🌱

DISCLAIMER: Individual results vary. Treatment outcomes differ based on factors such as age, genetics, medical history, lifestyle and adherence to the recommended treatment plan. The images shown are of actual patients treated at Hair & Skin Science and are provided for general information only. These images should not be interpreted as a guarantee of results that others may achieve.

Noticing more hair shedding after moving to Australia? It’s understandable to wonder about the water.

Hard water may affect how hair feels and contribute to mineral build-up or breakage. But the studies below examined hair strands, not shedding from the follicle. They don’t establish that hard water causes hair loss. Water hardness also varies across Australia.

Moving country brings plenty of changes: stress, disrupted sleep, different eating habits and sometimes weight changes. These can trigger shedding a few months later, long after you’ve started settling in.

And living somewhere sunny doesn’t necessarily mean your vitamin D level is adequate.

If you’re noticing more shedding, think back over the past few months. If your part is gradually widening, pattern hair loss may also be contributing. An assessment can help identify the cause and whether blood tests would be useful.

You don’t have to work it out alone.

This post provides general educational information only and does not replace individual medical advice.

References
1. Srinivasan G, Srinivas CR, Mathew AC, Duraiswami D. Effects of hard water on hair. Int J Trichology 2013;5(3):137–139.
2. Khan Z, Ramzan MH, Hanan F, Javaid U, Luqman MW, Ali R. Effect of topical application of hard water in weakening of hair in men. J Pak Med Assoc 2016;66(9):1132.
3. Alahmmed LM, Alibrahim EA, Alkhars AF, Almulhim MN, Ali SI, Kaliyadan F. Scanning electron microscopy study of hair shaft changes related to hardness of water. Indian J Dermatol Venereol Leprol 2017;83(6):740.
4. NHMRC. Hardness (as calcium carbonate). Australian Drinking Water Guidelines, Part 5. Canberra: National Health and Medical Research Council.
5. Hughes EC, Syed HA, Saleh D. Telogen effluvium. StatPearls. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; updated 2024.
6. Benitez-Aguirre PZ, Wood NJ, Biesheuvel C, Moreira C, Munns CF. The natural history of vitamin D deficiency in African refugees living in Sydney. Med J Aust 2009;190(8):426–428.
7. Ho CH, Sood T, Zito PM. Androgenetic alopecia. StatPearls. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; updated 2024.

More shedding after starting treatment?

Seeing more hair in the sink can feel worrying. Some hair loss treatments encourage resting follicles to begin growing again, causing older hairs to shed sooner. You may have heard this called the “dread shed”.

Not everyone experiences it, and it usually settles within the first few months. Shedding alone doesn’t tell us whether treatment is working.

Look at progress month by month, and check in with your clinician before stopping. If shedding stays heavy beyond three to four months, becomes patchy, or comes with scalp irritation, arrange a review.

You don’t have to navigate those early weeks alone. 🤍

References
1. Natarelli N, Gahoonia N, Sivamani RK. Integrative and mechanistic approach to the hair growth cycle and hair loss. J Clin Med 2023;12(3):893.
2. Nestor MS, Lam W, DeVries A, Chaudry A, Hawkins S, Leavitt M. Transient treatment induced hair loss across androgenetic alopecia therapies. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol 2025 (Science of Skin Summit abstract).
3. Bi L, Kan H, Wang J, et al. Whether the transient hair shedding phase exist after minoxidil treatment and does it predict treatment efficacy? J Dermatolog Treat 2025;36(1):2480739.
4. Nohria A, Desai D, Sikora M, Mandal S, Shapiro J, Lo Sicco K. Combating "dread shed": overlapping topical and oral minoxidil during oral minoxidil initiation. JAAD Int 2024;15:220-224.
5. Spindler A, Maas D, Zappi I, et al. Temporary shedding with low dose oral minoxidil initiation does not preclude long term benefit. J Am Acad Dermatol 2026. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2026.07.115
6. Hughes EC, Syed HA, Saleh D. Telogen effluvium. StatPearls. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; updated 2024.

“My hair is improving. Can I stop now?” 🤔

With pattern hair loss, improvement often means your treatment is helping manage an ongoing condition. Many treatments need continued use to maintain their benefits, and stopping can mean losing the progress made.
That’s why maintenance deserves a place in the plan from the beginning, with a routine that suits your life and regular reviews as your needs change.

Swipe through to learn why consistency matters, what can happen when treatment stops, and why improving hair still needs ongoing care. 👉

If your routine is difficult to maintain or you’re experiencing side effects, speak with your treating clinician about adjusting your plan.

This post provides general educational information only and does not replace individual medical advice.

References:
1. Ho CH, Sood T, Zito PM. Androgenetic alopecia. StatPearls. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; updated 2024.
2. Kaiser M, Abdin R, Gaumond SI, Issa NT, Jimenez JJ. Treatment of androgenetic alopecia: current guidance and unmet needs. Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol 2023;16:1387–1406.
3. Olsen EA, Weiner MS. Topical minoxidil in male pattern baldness: effects of discontinuation of treatment. J Am Acad Dermatol 1987;17(1):97–101.
4. Stevens J, Khetarpal S. Platelet-rich plasma for androgenetic alopecia: a review of the literature and proposed treatment protocol. Int J Womens Dermatol 2019;5(1):46–51.

A photo can capture a moment. Two photos can show how things have changed.

Here are five men’s before-and-after comparisons, each with a different starting point and outcome. Swipe through for a closer look.

Our HSS Method™ brings together a personalised treatment plan and ongoing aftercare, tailored to each person’s needs.

DISCLAIMER: Individual results vary. Treatment outcomes differ based on factors such as age, genetics, medical history, lifestyle and adherence to the recommended treatment plan. The images shown are of actual patients treated at Hair & Skin Science and are provided for general information only. These images should not be interpreted as a guarantee of results that others may achieve.

If it hurts, it’s too tight. 🤍

Tight buns, braids, ponytails and extensions can pull on your roots and cause hair loss over time. It’s about the tension, not the style.
Caught early, hair can recover, but ongoing pulling can cause permanent loss.
Give your roots a little breathing room. Loosen styles that hurt, take breaks, and don’t wait for thinning to show.
If your hairline is receding or your scalp feels sore, bumpy or crusty, get it checked. Your comfort matters.

This post provides general educational information only and does not replace individual medical advice.

References:
1. Billero V, Miteva M. Traction alopecia: the root of the problem. Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol 2018;11:149–159.
2. Mayo TT, Callender VD. The art of prevention: it is too tight, loosen up and let your hair down. Int J Womens Dermatol 2021;7(2):174–179.
3. Samrao A, Price VH, Zedek D, Mirmirani P. The fringe sign: a useful clinical finding in traction alopecia of the marginal hair line. Dermatol Online J 2011;17(11):1.