Common baldness has a medical name, androgenetic alopecia: an inherited sensitivity of the follicles to androgen hormones, which makes them shrink little by little and produce ever finer hairs, until they stop producing any. In men it reaches the temples and the crown; in women it thins the top of the head and widens the parting. In Marrakech, Dr Sara Zahid, dermatologist in Guéliz, makes the diagnosis with trichoscopy, rules out other causes of hair loss, then proposes a long-term treatment. The earlier you start, the more hair there is to protect.
In men: temples that recede, then a thinning crown, with hairs getting finer before disappearing. In women: a widening parting, finer hair on top, the frontal hairline preserved. Family history points the way without settling it. It often starts between twenty and thirty in men, later in women, notably at the menopause.
The dermatologist’s magnifier reveals miniaturisation: hairs of very different calibres in the same place, follicles that now carry only fine down. It also rules out alopecia areata, inflammation or effluvium. A painless examination, repeated over the months, is used to measure the real effect of treatment.
Minoxidil, as a lotion or sometimes orally, prolongs the growth phase and thickens hair; it takes a few months to judge and is continued as long as you want to keep the benefit. In men, anti-androgen treatments may be prescribed; in women, care takes account of the hormonal context and any plans for pregnancy. These treatments are decided after the examination, with their benefits and side effects, and are not stopped without advice.
Hair PRP, scalp mesotherapy and exosomes can accompany a main treatment in some patients, especially at an early stage, when follicles remain to be reactivated. They do not replace the main treatment and do not regrow hair on an area that has been smooth for a long time. The protocol, often three sessions then maintenance, is explained before starting.
A hair transplant is surgery: the clinic does not perform it, but the consultation helps establish whether the situation is suitable (enough donor area, stabilised alopecia) and when medical treatment is preferable, before or after. We refer you to a colleague if a transplant is the right option.
In the first months, treatment may come with a small shedding before regrowth. Standardised photographs of the scalp at three, six and twelve months set the starting point and show progress. The realistic aim is to slow progression and restore density where the follicle is still active.
In the vast majority of cases, yes: the follicle’s sensitivity to androgens is passed on by both parents. That does not rule out treating it.
As soon as the first signs are confirmed by a dermatologist. Follicles that have been shrunk for a long time respond less well than those that are only just thinning.
It thickens and regrows part of the fine hair, especially on the crown. It takes several months, and the effect fades when stopped.
They look after the scalp but do not treat androgenetic alopecia. A main treatment is discussed in consultation.
Yes, differently: thinning on top of the head and a wider parting, without a receding front. It often worsens at the menopause.
No. It can accompany a main treatment at an early stage; it does not regrow hair on an area that has been smooth for a long time.
No, it is surgery. Dr Zahid assesses the situation and refers you to a colleague if it is suitable.
Allow at least three to six months to judge a treatment. Stabilisation of hair loss often comes before the hair thickens.
At the Skin & Aesthetic Clinic, in Guéliz, with Dr Sara Zahid, dermatologist, by appointment, in French, English or Arabic. A detailed quote is given before any treatment, with no single advertised price.
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