Have your scalp looked at before deciding anything

Two parts: looking and asking

A scalp assessment usually has two parts that run side by side.

• Looking. The provider examines your scalp and hair pattern, often in good light and sometimes with magnification.
• Asking. They ask about your history, medicines, diet, recent stress or illness, childbirth, and any family pattern of thinning.
• Next steps. They may suggest blood tests, a follow-up visit, or a referral to a dermatologist.

Nothing is decided until a licensed provider has seen you and talked it through with you. When you are ready, you can send a request from the request page.

Ask about the next step

The most useful question at a scalp assessment is often the simplest one: what happens next? A provider may suggest blood tests, a referral to a dermatologist, a change to your routine, or a follow-up visit to compare how things look.

Ask why they suggest that step, what it involves, who you would see, and what it costs. If they mention options that need a prescription, ask who would prescribe them and how follow-up works. Hair changes can take a while to show a clear pattern, so it is also fair to ask when they would like to see you again.

What to bring

A little preparation gives the provider more to work with. Consider bringing:

• A list of every medicine and supplement you take, with doses
• Rough dates of any recent illness, surgery, fever or childbirth
• Copies of recent blood work, if you have them
• A few photos of your hair from the past year or two
• The names of the shampoo, styling and scalp products you use
• Notes on any family history of thinning
• Your questions, written down

You do not need all of it. Bring what you have.

Questions about scalp assessment

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