Hair loss: Why early diagnosis & ethical care matter

Hair loss is one of those presentations that sits at the intersection of medicine, psychology and aesthetics. Patients are often distressed, have tried multiple over-the-counter solutions, and arrive frustrated after spending significant time and money with little result. For clinicians, it can feel deceptively simple on the surface, yet complex once you start to unpack the causes.

In this episode of HealthCert's The Aesthetic Shift podcast series, Kelly Beasy is joined by specialist GP Dr Raj Selvarajan to explore hair loss from a clinical, evidence-based perspective. The conversation moves beyond cosmetic quick fixes and focuses on diagnosis, timing and ethical management.

Hair loss is not a single diagnosis. While androgenetic alopecia is most common in both men and women, clinicians must also consider telogen effluvium, alopecia areata, scarring alopecias, and systemic causes such as iron deficiency, thyroid disease and hormonal change, particularly around menopause.

In the episode, Dr Selvarajan highlights the importance of thorough history taking. Duration, shedding pattern and associated symptoms guide diagnosis, supported by examination, dermoscopy and targeted investigations. Hair loss is often a sign of an underlying issue rather than the primary problem.

Early intervention matters. Once follicles are permanently lost, treatment options narrow. Timely assessment allows clinicians to preserve follicles and support regrowth, rather than offering reassurance alone.

Treatment is best approached stepwise, starting with lifestyle and nutritional optimisation, then progressing to topical or oral therapies and adjunctive options such as PRP. Hair transplantation is reserved for selected cases and still requires ongoing medical care.

The episode also underscores the ethical responsibility to counter unrealistic marketing claims with honest, evidence-based guidance, helping patients form realistic expectations and achieve sustainable outcomes.

For clinicians interested in expanding their scope into hair loss management, this episode offers a grounded overview of how to approach assessment and treatment in a medically sound way. It also reinforces a broader point: hair loss care is not about selling solutions, but about understanding the patient in front of you and treating the whole picture.

Listen to the full episode below to hear the complete conversation between Kelly Beasy and Dr Selvarajan, including insights you can apply in everyday clinical practice.

Stay tuned next month for part two, which will explore how clinicians can upskill in hair loss management and how you can get started with (and avoid common pitfalls when) integrating the services into your own practice.

Listen to the podcast

Prefer a visual format? Watch this podcast on the HealthCert Education YouTube channel.

Next steps in your learning journey

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The Aesthetic Shift series

The Aesthetic Shift podcast is for cosmetic practitioners looking to evolve, diversify, and future-proof their aesthetic practice. Each episode explores core cosmetic topics to help you broaden your offering and build a more resilient practice! Host Kelly Beasy is a Nurse Practitioner, clinic owner, and cosmetic medicine trainer at KB Aesthetix with 20 years of nursing experience and 10+ years’ experience in the aesthetic industry. She also offers a 1:1 mentorship program for clinicians.

Listen to the previous episode: Understanding & expanding your scope of practice in aesthetic medicine

Guest: Dr Raj Selvarajan

Dr Raj Selvarajan is a Specialist General Practitioner with extensive experience across primary care, men’s health, skin cancer medicine, and aesthetic medicine. Over the years, he has built a reputation for delivering practical, patient-centred care while developing several successful clinical services in Queensland. His interest in aesthetic medicine began with a focus on evidence-based treatments that genuinely improve confidence and quality of life. This naturally led him into the world of hair loss assessment and management — an area where he saw many patients struggling with misinformation, high-cost commercial clinics, and a lack of medical guidance. Driven to change this, Dr Selvarajan undertook advanced training in hair restoration, PRP/PRF therapy, and surgical techniques, refining a model of care that is accessible, ethical, and grounded in science. His work in hair loss has since shaped the growth of his aesthetic and procedural services, from community-based cosmetic clinics to his dedicated Brisbane Hair Transplant Clinic. Across his professional roles, Dr Selvarajan remains committed to education, innovation, and empowering patients with honest, medically guided options, ensuring they receive safe, effective, and personalised treatment plans.

Learn more at www.brisbanehairtransplant.com.au and www.bemedicalcentre.com.au

CPD self-submission

You can self-record CPD for this podcast. If you consume educational content on this blog, you can Quick Log CPD hours with the RACGP/ACRRM via the usual self-submission process. You will be asked to reflect on what you have learned, and you will require supporting evidence such as a screenshot. For more information, view the: RACGP CPD guide | ACRRM CPD guide