The discussion on Fireside Chat on Tackling Early Onset Hair Loss addressed an increasingly visible problem among adolescents and young adults.
Published Nov 09, 2025 | 2:26 PM ⚊ Updated Nov 09, 2025 | 2:37 PM
Dr Madhavi Reddy P and Dr Kavish Chouhan.
Synopsis: At the second edition of South First’s Dakshin Health Summit 2025, the panel discussion on Fireside Chat on Tackling Early Onset Hair Loss addressed an increasingly visible problem among adolescents and young adults.
At the second edition of South First’s Dakshin Health Summit 2025, held on Sunday, 9 November, at the Asian Institute of Gastroenterology (AIG), Hyderabad, experts examined the growing concern of premature hair loss among young Indians.
The discussion on Fireside Chat on Tackling Early Onset Hair Loss addressed an increasingly visible problem among adolescents and young adults.
Titled “Bridging Knowledge and Care in Dermatology,” the summit brought together leading dermatologists and aesthetic practitioners for a series of discussions on ethical practice, lifestyle-linked disorders, and the role of new technologies in dermatology.
Moderated by Dr Madhavi Reddy P, Senior Dermatologist, the session featured Dr Kavish Chouhan, Dermatologist and Hair Transplant Surgeon, and Co-founder of Dermaclinix Clinic, Delhi.
The conversation began by highlighting a persistent gap in public awareness, that many patients remain unsure who to consult when facing hair loss.
“Dermatology is the real speciality that deals with skin, hair, mucosa, and nails,” said Dr Chouhan. “Unfortunately, many patients don’t realise that dermatologists are the true trichologists.”
He cautioned against the rise of self-styled “trichologists” with brief training courses, noting that such unqualified practitioners often delay proper diagnosis. By the time patients reach dermatologists, he said, the condition is frequently more advanced and difficult to manage.
Dr Reddy added that managing hair disorders is far more complex than prescribing topical solutions or supplements. “Differentiating between scarring and non-scarring alopecia or identifying systemic causes cannot be learned in a week’s course,” she said, emphasising the risks of social-media-driven misinformation.
Defining what counts as early onset was a central theme of the discussion. According to Dr Chouhan, cases of androgenetic alopecia below 20 years of age should be considered early.
“We now see patients as young as 14 or 15 with signs of patterned hair loss,” he observed, noting that literature often defines ‘early’ as below 30, but the demographic has clearly shifted downward.
He attributed this trend to a mix of genetic and epigenetic influences, saying, “Where fathers began balding in their 40s, we now see their sons starting in their 30s. Stress, dietary habits, and metabolic changes have accelerated the process.”
The panellists also pointed to lifestyle-related triggers such as obesity, insulin resistance, and the misuse of protein supplements. “Gym culture and indiscriminate whey-protein use are major contributors,” Dr Chouhan said. “Many powders sold for muscle building contain androgenic components that worsen hair fall.”
Dr Reddy added that this metabolic shift is affecting both men and women. “Among adolescent girls, obesity and polycystic ovarian syndrome are pushing them into hair loss much earlier,” she said.
Both dermatologists underscored the need for a comprehensive investigation before treatment. Dr Chouhan said he routinely recommends tests for vitamin D, B12, and ferritin levels, along with thyroid and hormonal profiles, especially in female patients showing signs of hyperandrogenism or menstrual irregularities.
“Just prescribing minoxidil or nutraceuticals is not enough,” he stressed. “We need to find the root cause and treat it holistically.”
Counselling, he added, forms a major part of care, particularly for teenagers and their parents. Many young patients, he said, fear going completely bald within months of initial hair loss. “The first step is reassurance. Patterned hair loss is progressive but manageable with patience and consistency,” he explained.
Dr Reddy noted that educating families about long-term management is vital. Since hair loss behaves like a chronic condition, she said, parents must understand that sustained treatment, often over months or years, is key to maintaining results.
When asked about treatment preferences, Dr Chouhan said he primarily uses topical minoxidil, reserving low-dose oral versions for patients who cannot tolerate lotions. He added that compliance and response rates tend to be better with oral therapy in certain diffuse hair-loss cases, though lotions remain the first-line choice.
A notable highlight was his announcement of a genetic testing protocol for hair loss, developed by his team to map individual predispositions and drug-response genes. “This will allow us to design targeted treatments rather than rely on trial and error,” he said. “It could redefine how we approach trichology in the coming years.”
Discussing hair transplantation, Dr Chouhan explained that while it remains the only option for restoring lost hairlines, the long-hair FUE technique has improved outcomes for both men and women. The method allows follicles to be extracted without trimming, reducing downtime and improving aesthetic results.
“The long-hair FUE is the future of hair transplantation,” he said, adding that regenerative procedures such as stromal vascular fraction therapy and autologous stem-cell treatments would complement surgery in the years ahead.
Dr Reddy concluded the discussion by noting that dermatologists must continue to combine clinical rigour with patient education.
(Edited by Muhammed Fazil.)
