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Finasteride Tablets from £20
Advice for Hair Loss
Hair loss is a common condition that affects both men and women. It affects over 85% of men and more than 50% of women in the UK at some point in their lives. It is clinically known as alopecia and can affect patients of all ages.
Many people experience hair loss at some point in their lives, for a variety of reasons. Both men and women can suffer from conditions which cause hair loss, and for some it can be distressing or embarrassing.
Alopecia describes loss of hair from areas where hair normally grows. It comes in a variety of patterns with a variety of causes. The most common form is male pattern baldness, or androgenetic alopecia.
Male pattern baldness is the most common form of alopecia; it is a genetic disorder affecting millions of men. This is a characteristic pattern of balding in men, which becomes more common with age. There may be bitemporal recession and/or a central recession to produce a characteristic horseshoe shape of remaining hair. It occurs when hair follicles convert testosterone into another hormone, dihydrotestosterone (DHT). DHT causes hair follicles to shrink, weaken and eventually die, preventing hair regrowth.
It is increasingly common with age; initial signs seen in teenage years; half of men are affected by the age of 50; rate of progression and severity of end result are extremely variable; significant ethnic variations - white men are affected four times more than those of Afro-Caribbean origin. Alopecia tends to occur later and more slowly in Asian men.
There are several different types of hair loss for both men and women:
- Male pattern baldness (androgenetic alopecia): The most common type of hair loss in men, is hereditary and characterised by loss of hair at the hairline, crown, and temples.
- Female pattern baldness (androgenetic alopecia): Similar to the male variety, women lose hair from the top of their head. It also runs in families (genetic) and often worsens with menopause.
- Alopecia totalis and alopecia universalis: While alopecia totalis is the complete loss of hair from the head, alopecia universalis sees total hair loss from the head and all over the body as well. These types can be due to a traumatic event such as chemotherapy.
- Alopecia areata: Patchy hair loss is most common in teenagers and young adults, and it tends to grow back in a few months. Alopecia areata can be caused by an imbalance in the body’s immune system.
- Telogen effluvium: Stress from childbirth, illness, or sudden weight loss can cause your hair to shed or thin. This type of hair loss is usually temporary.
Whilst there is no cure for hair loss or baldness, treatment can prevent further hair loss and also lead to renewed hair growth. The two most effective hair loss treatments available in the UK are Propecia (finasteride) and Regaine (minoxidil).
Signs and symptoms of hair loss may include:
Gradual thinning on top of head - This is the most common type of hair loss, affecting people as they age. In men, hair often begins to recede at the hairline on the forehead. Women typically have a broadening of the part in their hair. An increasingly common hair loss pattern in older women is a receding hairline.
Circular or patchy bald spots - Some people lose hair in circular or patchy bald spots on the scalp, beard or eyebrows. Your skin may become itchy or painful before the hair falls out.
Sudden loosening of hair - A physical or emotional shock can cause hair to loosen. Handfuls of hair may come out when combing or washing your hair or even after gentle tugging. This type of hair loss usually causes overall hair thinning but is temporary.
Full-body hair loss - Some conditions and medical treatments, such as chemotherapy for cancer, can result in the loss of hair all over your body. The hair usually grows back.
Patches of scaling that spread over the scalp - This is a sign of ringworm. It may be accompanied by broken hair, redness, swelling and, at times, oozing.
People typically lose 50 to 100 hairs a day. This usually isn't noticeable because new hair is growing in at the same time. Hair loss occurs when new hair doesn't replace the hair that has fallen out.
Hair loss is typically related to one or more of the following factors:
Family history (heredity) - The most common cause of hair loss is a hereditary condition that happens with aging. This condition is called androgenic alopecia, male-pattern baldness and female-pattern baldness. It usually occurs gradually and in predictable patterns — a receding hairline and bald spots in men and thinning hair along the crown of the scalp in women.
Hormonal changes - A variety of conditions can cause permanent or temporary hair loss, including hormonal changes due to pregnancy, childbirth, menopause and thyroid problems.
Medical conditions - Medical conditions include alopecia areata, which is immune system related and causes patchy hair loss, scalp infections such as ringworm, and a hair-pulling disorder called trichotillomania.
Medications and supplements - Hair loss can be a side effect of certain drugs, such as those used for cancer, arthritis, depression, heart problems, gout and high blood pressure.
Radiation therapy to the head - The hair may not grow back the same as it was before.
Stress - Many people experience a general thinning of hair several months after a physical or emotional shock. This type of hair loss is temporary.
Hairstyles and treatments - Excessive hairstyling or hairstyles that pull your hair tight, such as pigtails or cornrows, can cause a type of hair loss called traction alopecia. Hot-oil hair treatments and permanents also can cause hair to fall out. If scarring occurs, hair loss could be permanent.
While there isn't a cure for hair loss caused by male pattern baldness, there are effective prescription treatments available to slow loss and stimulate regrowth. It's best to start treatment as soon as you notice your hair fall, because it's easier to prevent hair being lost than to regrow it.
The treatments we offer have proven to be extremely successful in both preventing loss and encouraging regrowth when taken regularly. Success varies according to how long treatment has been underway, but almost two thirds of men who use it benefit from renewed hair growth, while hair loss is halted in most other men.
There are two pharmacological options approved for this condition. Neither is available on the NHS. At Pharmacinta, we provide the following treatment:
Regaine (Minoxidil) - Topical application of minoxidil twice daily, in either 2% or 5% form may be used. The stronger formulation may be more effective; it may, however, cause more irritation. Minoxidil is more likely to be effective in the early stages of balding than once it is established. It should be used for at least six months to establish efficacy and then used indefinitely in order to maintain any effect.
Finasteride - Oral finasteride in a dose of 1 mg daily may be effective. A trial of at least six months is needed and, if effective, treatment needs to be continued indefinitely.
Vitamins, minerals, and other supplements: If your blood test reveals that you’re not getting enough iron or zinc, you may be recommended to take a supplement.
Spironolactone: For women who have female pattern hair loss, this medication may be an option. It can stop further hair loss and increase hair thickness. Studies indicate that this medication is effective in about 40% for women who have female pattern hair loss.
Injections of corticosteroids: To help your hair regrow, you can be considered for steroid injections into the bald (or thinning) areas. These injections are usually given every 4 to 8 weeks as needed. This is considered the most effective treatment for people who have a few patches of alopecia areata.
Hair transplantation: This surgical treatment for hair loss is primarily used for men in which individual hair follicles from a body part that has good hair growth is transplanted to the bald part.
Scalp reduction: It surgically involves removal of scalp parts that are affected.
Laser Surgery: This involves treatment of the hair follicles with laser treatment, to help regrow the hair. This can only be done to live follicles, and not ones that are already dead.
Scalp expansion: This is a fairly complex surgical procedure, in which devices are inserted under the scalp to stretch the skin and also help reduce balding in hair-bearing areas.
Wigs: While these cannot slow hair loss or help you regrow hair, they can boost your self-esteem. Another advantage is that a wig or concealer offers immediate results. Many types of wigs, including ones that can be custom-made for you, are available.
Frequently Asked Questions
Hair loss treatments are suitable for men aged 18-65 who are experiencing mild to moderate male pattern hair loss. Finasteride, Regaine For Men Extra Strength, and Topical Spray are not suitable for women.
If you decide to stop using your hair loss treatment, it’s likely that you will lose the hair you regrew during treatment within three to four months. Therefore, continuous use is recommended for the best results.
This really depends on the cause. If it’s male pattern baldness then unfortunately there’s no permanent cure. Ongoing treatment can help slow the process and hair transplants can provide long-term relief from baldness but there’s still no cure. On the other hand, if your hair loss is stress related, health conditions, or medications, then if could be ‘cured’ if the cause is taken away.
It is safe to continue taking Propecia over long periods of time. Taking Propecia may slightly increase your risk of erectile dysfunction, with around 1 in 100 men affected.?
Finasteride can be used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).?This is a condition caused by an enlarged prostate and can cause problems with urination (e.g. waking up at night to urinate, slow start and slow flow when urinating). The dose of Finasteride for BPH is 5mg, whereas for hair loss it’s 1mg.?
As Finasteride is a prescription only medication, even when using an online doctor, you will need a prescription before you buy Finasteride.?When using our service you will need to complete a hair loss consultation, and if suitable, one of our clinicians will prescribe the treatment. ?
No, unfortunately Finasteride is only proven to be effective on areas of the scalp that still show some signs of hair growth. It has not been clinically proven to be effective on areas where there is no hair growth at all.
Propecia and Finasteride contain the same active ingredient and work in the same way to treat hair loss. Finasteride is simply the generic version of Propecia, meaning it can be a more cost effective alternative.?
Every hair loss treatment we provide is capable of treating male pattern hair loss, so the hair loss treatment you choose depends on how you’d prefer to treat it. If you like the simplicity of taking a single tablet every day to treat your hair loss, then finasteride is an ideal hair loss treatment for you. However, if you’d prefer to target specific areas of the scalp then topical spray?may be a better treatment option for you. To encourage efficient hair regrowth, using both treatments can encourage overall hair regrowth and target specific areas of the scalp at the same time.
No. Finasteride is usually only available via private prescription for use in male pattern hair loss.
Both finasteride and minoxidil are clinically proven hair loss treatments for men, and both are effective at treating the symptoms of male pattern baldness (e.g. thinning hair, a balding crown, and a receding hairline).
No. Regaine is a male pattern baldness treatment and is therefore only intended for use on the scalp.
If you decide to stop using Regaine, it’s likely that you will lose the hair you regrew during treatment within three to four months. It’s therefore recommended that you use Regaine on a regular basis to maintain your regrown hair.
No, Regaine is not usually available on the NHS. It can only be bought online or over the counter in a pharmacy.
They are medically equivalent versions of the same active drug. Both use the active ingredient Finasteride 1mg.
No, women should never use this treatment. It is ineffective in the treatment of hair thinning in women and is dangerous for women of childbearing age to handle.
No, it should be taken as directed. The daily dosage of Propecia is one 1mg tablet. This dose has been proven to be safe and effective.
Like with most medications, certain treatments may work for some people and not for others. ?
