Hair loss symptoms

Hair loss – in the form of male pattern baldness – is a genetic condition. It affects around half of all men aged 50, but some as early as their 20s.

The main symptom of male pattern baldness is thinning hair at the sides and the top of the head. It's not dangerous and, if the hair loss does not cause you distress, doesn't need to be treated. However, effective treatments are available that will slow hair loss and, in some cases, stimulate hair regrowth.

Less common hair loss symptoms include:

• Hair loss in circular or patchy spots
• Hair suddenly loosening
• Itchy or painful skin on scalp
• Hair breakage
• Patches of scaling on the scalp (this can be a sign of ringworm)
• Changes to nails

If you’re experiencing unusual hair loss, talk to your GP to see if there’s an underlying issue.

What can cause hair loss?

Male pattern baldness occurs when hair follicles on the head convert the male hormone testosterone into another hormone called dihydrotestosterone (DHT).

Affected follicles become more sensitive to DHT, causing them to shrink, weaken, and eventually die. This slows down hair production and can stop hair growth altogether.

Other causes of hair loss can include:

• Stress
• Illness
• Chemotherapy
• Aging
• Overwashing

Hair loss arising from these causes cannot be reversed by the treatments we offer. In some of these cases, hair loss is temporary. We advise you speak to your GP if you experience sudden hair loss.

How to treat hair loss

While there isn't a cure for hair loss caused by male pattern baldness, there are effective prescription and over-the-counter treatments available to slow loss and stimulate regrowth. 

Finasteride/Propecia works by blocking DHT, stopping the hormone from attacking hair follicles. This treatment comes as a daily tablet and it will take three to six months of constant use before you notice any changes  . It can take up to a year to see final results. This is because of the hair growth cycles in your follicles.

Regaine (minoxidil) works by increasing the flow of blood and nutrients to the hair follicles, which can help stimulate new, healthier hair growth. 

Some people also use shampoo containing saw palmetto for hair loss. Saw palmetto is an herbal remedy that contains some of the same properties as Finasteride. However, insufficient research has been carried out on saw palmetto as a hair loss treatment – therefore it is not endorsed by doctors as a viable treatment. Taken in small doses saw palmetto is unlikely to be harmful, but it does not have the proven results of the treatments above.   

Getting all the right nutrients in your diet can help keep your hair strong and healthy, much like the rest of your body. Some men take biotin supplements, which are thought to help support the strength of hair and nails. 

As soon as you stop using hair loss treatment, hair loss will resume. These treatments are only suitable for men. Find out more about women's hair loss treatments. 

How effective are hair loss treatments?

There is no guaranteeing whether a hair loss treatment will be successful, as different treatments will react uniquely to patients. However, there have been several studies and statistics that show the effectiveness of individual treatments:

• Finasteride, the generic form of Propecia, has shown in studies aimed at men aged 18-41 with mild or moderate hair loss to have a positive effect on 90% of men. In other trials, finasteride has halted hair loss for 83% of men and 66% of men have seen hair regrow.
• Minoxidil is the primary ingredient in Regaine. Regaine reports that 9 out of 10 men said they kept or regrew hair after 16 weeks use of Regaine.
• There are currently not enough studies to measure the effectiveness of Biotin capsules or DHT blocking shampoo, although the ingredients and vitamins in these will help maintain healthy hair

What are the side effects of hair loss treatments?

Side effects from hair loss treatments can differ depending on your choice of treatment. Some, like biotin tablets, have no known side effects if taken at the correct dosage. Similarly, DHT blocker shampoo side effects are rare but stop use immediately if you have an allergic reaction. Depending on your treatment, common side effects can include:

If you have experienced side effects from your hair loss treatment, please talk to your GP. For more information about hair loss treatment side effects read the patient information leaflets for finasteride and minoxidil.

“While most side effects from hair loss treatment are uncommon and usually mild, please let your GP know if you notice any changes to your body or mood once treatment starts. If you start to have an allergic reaction to any medication, stop treatment immediately.” - Dr Bhavini Shah

Our hair loss clinic

You can order Finasteride or Propecia from our hair loss clinic. These treatments have the same active ingredient and work in the same way, Propecia is a branded version of Finasteride. These treatments can only be prescribed to men.

When you request a treatment, we'll ask you a series of questions as part of your online consultation. Your answers will be reviewed to ensure that the treatment we prescribe is safe for you to take.  

You can also buy Regaine foam, an over-the-counter medicine for hair loss. You can use this alongside Finasteride and Propecia. Or you can also request a Regaine and Finasteride hair loss treatment bundle. 

We also offer an over-the-counter hair loss bundle to help support your hair’s health and treat hair loss. This contains minoxidil 5% solution, a DHT blocking shampoo and biotin capsules, or you can buy these treatments separately. You don’t need a prescription for this bundle, but it can be used alongside Finasteride and Propecia. 

Our hair loss treatments are available for either discreet delivery or same-day collection depending on the option you choose.