HAIR LOSS TREATMENT FACTS
HAIR LOSS TREATMENT FACTS
About hair loss treatments
For men with receding or thinning hair, prescription treatment with Propecia or Finasteride, alone or in combination with Regaine, can help prevent further loss and encourage regrowth.
What hair loss treatments are available?
We can prescribe Finasteride or Propecia tablets to treat hair loss. Finasteride is the generic version of Propecia. They work in the same way. We can also combine these treatments with Regaine which can increase your chances of successful hair regrowth.
Once treatment has been prescribed by one of our clinicians, you can request repeat prescriptions for up to 12 months without the need for another consultation.
Need prescription hair loss treatment?
get startedHow do Finasteride, Propecia and Regaine work?
Finasteride is the active ingredient in both Finasteride and Propecia. It works by lowering the level of the hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT) in the scalp. DHT slows hair growth by causing your hair follicles to shrink and eventually stop working. With less DHT affecting your scalp, you should keep more of your hair.
Minoxidil is the active ingredient in Regaine. It works by increasing the blood flow to the hair follicles and stimulating the hair to grow. We can prescribe Regaine in combination with Finasteride or Propecia.
With all these medicines, you need to use them continuously to see results.
How do I take these treatments?
If you’re prescribed either Finasteride or Propecia, you would take one tablet daily on an ongoing basis. If you’re also prescribed Regaine, you would massage the foam into your scalp twice daily.
What are the side effects of Hair Loss Treatment?
Side effects are uncommon when taking Finasteride or Propecia and can include a skin rash and nipple tenderness or swelling.
A small number of men experience erectile problems and reduced sex drive, which can be long-lasting. There have been rare reports that these medicines can also cause depression and suicidal thoughts.
For the full information of a medicine’s side effects and how to take it, it’s important to read the Patient Information Leaflet that comes with your medicine.
Side effects when using Regaine can include a skin rash and itching, and headache.
How effective are hair loss treatments?
With both Finasteride and Propecia you should see results in as little as three months — so long as you use the treatment every day. Studies show the treatment prevents further loss of hair in nine out of ten men and causes some new hair growth in two out of three men.
The active ingredient finasteride is only effective while it’s active in your body. If you stop treatment, any results will begin to reverse within six months.
If you use these treatments in combination with Regaine, you can improve your chances of hair regrowth by using the two different approaches, at the same time.
If you’re still losing your hair after 12 months of treatment, it’s unlikely it will work for you.
Important safety information
This service is not suitable for women or for men with hair loss that’s not caused by male pattern baldness.
There is a potential risk to a male foetus in pregnant women. If your partner is pregnant, or might be pregnant, you must use condoms. And she must not handle the tablets. If your partner is trying to get pregnant, you must not use these tablets.
It’s important that you tell us which other medicines you’re taking — whether they’re prescription or medicines you’ve bought without a prescription. You must also tell us about any other medical conditions. We need to know so that we can prescribe hair loss treatment that’s suitable for you.
What other treatment options do I have?
Alternative options include wigs, hair pieces and hair transplants. Regaine can be used on its own and is available from boots.com or in Boots stores.
Page last reviewed by: Dr. Christina Hennessey 21/06/2021