Last updated: 26 January 2026. Next review: 26 January 2028

We have pulled together some useful questions and answers which we hope will help you to navigate your health care appointments, diagnosis, and possible treatments.

My GP has said there is nothing they can do about hair loss, what can I do?

A good starting place when having a conversation with your GP is to explain any impact that your hair loss is having on your emotions, your wellbeing and your ability to take part in normal activities (e.g. are you still exercising?; are you still seeing your friends?; are you going to work/ school?; have your intimate relationships changed?) If you are taking medication for your mental health, and you feel your mental health is declining, don’t forget to mention this too.

We know that unfortunately some doctors can appear dismissive of hair loss. If they have an appreciation of any impact it is having on your emotions, they may be more willing to act.

Action you could ask for includes running some routine blood tests to rule out any underlying health problems which may be contributing to the hair loss, or referring you to see a dermatologist (see question below). 

Ensure you understand that there are different types of hair loss. If your GP is unable to provide you with a firm diagnosis of the type of hair loss you are experiencing, explain that you wish to be referred to a dermatologist who can provide you with a diagnosis. Within the NHS, dermatology is the specialism under which alopecia is treated. 

What to do if your GP will not refer you to see a dermatologist?

You're entitled to ask for a referral for specialist treatment on the NHS. However, whether you'll get a referral depends on what your GP feels is clinically necessary in your case. It is worth noting that not all patients with hair loss will need to see a dermatologist. Depending on the type of hair loss you have, there may not be anything to gain from seeing a dermatologist.

For instance, if you have telogen effluvium or mild alopecia areata, there is a good chance that these conditions will resolve without any treatment at all. Around 80% of people with mild alopecia areata (a couple of small patches) experience regrowth without treatment.  We know it can be difficult to just ‘wait and see’ but this is sometimes the determination of the doctor for mild symptoms of hair loss.

Generally, you cannot self-refer to a specialist within the NHS. You can learn more here.

I have been told that my NHS Trust/ Health Board is not accepting dermatology referrals for alopecia patients, what can I do?

Unfortunately, Alopecia UK has heard of a small number of NHS Trusts who are refusing to refer patients with alopecia to dermatology. Staffing issues might mean that other health conditions are prioritised, or there may have been a determination that hair loss is a ‘cosmetic’ issue. Alopecia UK refuses to accept either as a valid reason for not allowing a patient with dermatological hair loss to see a specialist, and patients with alopecia should refuse to accept this too.

We encourage anyone who is told that dermatology appointments are unavailable to alopecia patients to raise a concern and do the following: 

1. Explain to your GP that you do not believe this to be an acceptable level of care, explain why you need to see a specialist (whether that be the need for certainty around a diagnosis, and/or to discuss treatment options), along with details of the impact your hair loss is having on your mental health and life. See if your GP is prepared to support you in getting a dermatology referral. If your GP is unable to support you further, ask them to provide details of how to file a complaint. 
2. Seek clarification.  If possible, get something in writing from your doctor’s surgery, hospital, NHS Trust or Health Board as to why alopecia patients are being refused dermatology appointments. This could be an email or letter.  It can be helpful to understand the reason, to include details in any complaint/challenge you make.
3. If you are dissatisfied with the level of care or choices you are offered from the NHS, you can make a complaint, the process for this differs by UK Country. (See below for details of how to do that).

My NHS Trust is no longer funding wigs. Is there anything I can do?

Sadly, Alopecia UK is aware that some NHS Trusts in England have stopped providing funding for wigs for patients affected by dermatological hair loss. We think that the situation may be similar in the other home nations.  In recent years, Alopecia UK worked with NHS England to create a Charter for Best Practice for NHS Wig Provision. The Charter recommends that all people with alopecia, who need and want a wig, should be offered the right number of wigs for their condition based upon the support they need, and how and when they wear wigs.

Unfortunately, NHS England could not insist NHS Trusts implemented the recommendations of the Charter and we have sadly seen a couple of NHS Trusts stop wig provision for those with alopecia.

If you are someone affected by alopecia who requires a wig to manage your condition and live confidently, but have been told that you cannot receive any assistance with wigs via the NHS, you could consider challenging this position. You could complain and signpost them to the Charter for Best Practice for NHS Wig Provision. You could ask them to rethink their position and reinstate wig provision. See the nation-specific advice below.

You could also consider asking your GP or dermatologist to support you as an exceptional case where a wig is a necessity. In England and Northern Ireland these are known as 'Individual Funding Requests' (IFR). In Wales, it is an Individual Patient Funding Request (IPFR). NHSScotland does not use either term but do have processes for exceptional cases where patients request treatments or medications that are not routinely funded. 

In any correspondence, we would encourage you to include details of:

• How your alopecia impacts your day-to-day life
• Activities that you are not comfortable doing without wearing a wig
• Any impact of not having the wigs you need on your mental health and emotional well-being
• Any financial impact of not receiving assistance from the NHS with wig provision
• How the above points impact your immediate family

How to raise a complaint about your NHS care

We urge anyone affected by alopecia to formally complain if you believe the care you receive from the NHS is inadequate. We have created this information page including advice on how to complain to within the NHS.