What Is DNA Testing for Hair Loss and Where Can I Get It in Plymouth, MN?

Quick answer (because I know you are busy)

DNA testing for hair loss is a one-time genetic test that helps take the guesswork out of hair loss care by showing how your body may respond to specific treatment categories, including certain topicals, oral medications, vitamins, and minerals. The test I use is the ALO Test, which is taken with a simple cheek swab and analyzes 26 genetic markers tied to hair loss pathways and therapy response. If you’re in Plymouth, Minnesota (or the Twin Cities), you can get this through a Hair Check appointment, where we pair your DNA results with a scalp analysis and your history so your plan is personalized, not random.

Book a Hair Check if you have any of these symptoms: sudden heavy shedding, burning or tenderness, bumps, patchy loss, widening part, eyebrow thinning, or scaling that won’t calm down.

Trichologist reviewing ALO DNA hair loss test results in Plymouth Minnesota

What DNA testing for hair loss actually tells you

Think of hair loss DNA testing like this: it’s not fortune-telling. It’s a roadmap.

The ALO Test is designed to help providers build a more targeted plan by looking at genetic variations that influence how your body handles key hair loss drivers and common therapies. It’s described as a diagnostic tool used to guide personalized treatments, and because it’s genetic, the results stay relevant over your lifetime (unlike labs that change month to month).

What the ALO Test looks at (in normal language)

The ALO Test analyzes 26 SNPs (genetic markers) grouped into 9 treatment categories. Here’s what that means in real life:

• Minoxidil response clues (prostaglandins + sulphotransferase activity)

  Helps explain why some people respond better than others.

• Inflammation response

  Important when the scalp is reactive, irritated, or inflamed.

• Androgen sensitivity (DHT-related pathways)

  Helps guide whether anti-androgen approaches may make sense.

• Circulation support

  Looks at blood-flow related signaling tied to follicle support.

• Collagen and scalp structure support

  Helpful when you’re thinking long-term scalp health and tissue support.

• IGF (growth signaling)

  Tied to growth and repair pathways that can matter in regrowth strategies.

• Vitamin metabolism 

  (like Vitamin D and biotin utilization)

• Mineral metabolism 

  (like zinc and iron utilization)

• Antioxidant response

   (oxidative stress handling)

  
  

And yes, the report is meant to be usable, not overwhelming. The ALO Test is positioned as a provider tool that delivers a detailed report and supports personalized recommendations across nutraceuticals, topicals, and oral options.

How the test works

It’s simple.

• Sample type: cheek swab

• What you get: a detailed report (30+ pages) with therapy guidance and plan-building support

• Why it’s different from regular labs: it’s based on genetics, so it doesn’t change every few months

  
  

What DNA testing can’t do (this matters)

This test does not replace a professional evaluation.

Hair loss can be driven by genetics, yes, but also hormones, stress load, illness, iron and ferritin issues, thyroid patterns, autoimmune activity, scalp inflammation, styling traction, and more. DNA testing helps guide strategy, but it’s not a standalone diagnosis.

That’s why I always pair DNA results with a scalp analysis and your history. If medications are part of your plan, that needs to be coordinated with the appropriate prescribing clinician.

Where to get DNA testing for hair loss in Plymouth, MN

If you’re in Plymouth (or nearby), you can get the ALO Test through my clinic process as part of a Hair Check.

Here’s how I recommend doing it:

1. Book a Hair Check

2. We do a scalp evaluation + history review

3. We collect the cheek swab and walk through what the results will be used for

4. When results are in, we build a plan that can include:

   • targeted topicals

   • nutritional support based on utilization patterns

   • discussion of oral medication options (when appropriate through the right provider)

   • a real-world routine you can actually follow

     
     

Written by Tabitha Fredrichs

Board-Certified Trichologist and Naturopath Practitioner. I help clients get real answers about shedding, thinning, and scalp inflammation using scalp analysis and customized care plans.