Question 1

What should I expect when I use a treatment for hair loss?

Accepted Answer

When using any treatment for hair loss, it’s important to keep in mind that hair regrowth is a naturally slow process, so there may not be much visible change for the first one to three months. But remember: Rome wasn’t built in a day and neither is a luscious head of hair, so it’s key that you give your hair loss treatment time to work its magic.

After about three to six months of using your hair loss treatment twice a day, hair loss should start to slow down and newly regrown hairs should begin to emerge. Initial hairs may be soft and light at the start, but should eventually become the same as normal hair.

Beyond six months, hair loss should slow significantly and thicker, fuller regrown hair should begin to fill in patches of thinning hair. Scalp coverage should noticeably improve and hairs should look stronger and healthier.

Question 2

How does finasteride work?

Accepted Answer

Finasteride is a hair loss treatment for men that helps to counter male pattern baldness by reducing the action of DHT (dihydrotestosterone) on hair follicles. DHT is a naturally occurring molecule that interacts with hair follicles in a way that causes the growth phase of the hair cycle to gradually decrease. This shrinks the follicle resulting in thinner, shorter hairs until the growth phase is so short that the hairs don’t grow from the scalp at all.

Finasteride stops the production of DHT. It inhibits 5-alpha-reductase, the enzyme which converts testosterone into DHT, meaning that less DHT is present in the scalp (around 60% less). This helps to prevent further hair loss, and in many cases, promotes hair regrowth.

Question 3

How do Medicated Hair Spray and Regaine work?

Accepted Answer

Medicated Hair Spray and Regaine both contain the active ingredient minoxidil, which can reduce and reverse hair loss caused by male pattern baldness in a number of ways:

First, by widening the blood vessels and allowing them to supply nutrient-rich blood to the hair follicles - increasing hair density and promoting hair regrowth.
Second, by prolonging the anagen phase of the hair growth cycle. The anagen phase (known as the “growth” stage of the hair cycle) is the stage in which new hair is generated.
Third, by increasing hair follicle size and hair diameter, which can make hair appear thicker and fuller.

Question 4

What is the best hair loss treatment?

Accepted Answer

Every hair loss treatment we provide is capable of treating male pattern hair loss, so the treatment you choose will ultimately depend on your needs, preferences, and lifestyle.

Finasteride is an ideal hair loss treatment for those who prefer the convenience of only needing to take one tablet a day to slow hair loss and promote hair regrowth. It works well as a receding hairline treatment, it’s clinically proven, and it’s also a popular hair loss solution for those who have tried minoxidil but did not get the results they wanted.

Medicated Hair Spray is a hair loss treatment for men that can be applied directly to bald patches and areas of thinning hair to promote regrowth in those specific areas. It can also promote hair regrowth across the entire scalp.

The Complete Hair Kit is a hair loss treatment bundle that contains both finasteride and Medicated Hair Spray. They work harmoniously together to improve the thickness, density, and appearance of hair while halting male pattern hair loss. The Complete Hair Kit is ideal for those who want everything needed to treat hair loss in one package.

Regaine is another hair loss treatment that can be used to target the areas of the scalp most affected by male pattern hair loss. Its active ingredient minoxidil has been clinically proven to stimulate hair regrowth, and Regaine comes with three different applicators to help you apply precisely the right amount of Regaine for hair growth.

Question 5

Are hair loss treatments suitable for everyone?

Accepted Answer

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 (also known as “Regaine extra strength”), and Medicated Hair Spray are not suitable for women. A full list of warnings and precautions is available in the Patient Information Leaflet and/or Safety Information Page included with all the hair loss treatments we provide, which you should always read before using any hair loss treatment for the first time.

Question 6

What are the potential side effects of hair loss treatments?

Accepted Answer

Like most medicines, hair loss treatments can cause side effects, although not everyone gets them. Before using any medicine for hair loss it’s important to be aware of the potential side effects, as this knowledge will help you to use your hair loss treatment safely and effectively.

Minoxidil

The common side effects of Medicated Hair Spray and Regaine (both of which contain the active ingredient minoxidil) include:

Itching and/or skin irritation of the scalp at the site of application.

If you experience any of the side effects mentioned above stop using the hair loss treatment and seek medical guidance.

Finasteride

Sometimes, men taking finasteride 1mg experience changes in their sexual function. In trials, only around 1.5% of men experienced symptoms such as erectile dysfunction, decreased libido and ejaculatory dysfunction. Stopping treatment usually leads to the resolution of these symptoms in over 99% of men.

Other rare side effects of finasteride include testicular pain, depression and breast tissue growth/tenderness.

A complete list of side effects is available in the Patient Information Leaflet and/or Safety Information Page included with every male pattern baldness treatment we provide, which you should always read before taking any treatment for the first time.

Question 7

How long do hair loss treatments take to work?

Accepted Answer

The time it takes to see a reduction in hair loss and the regrowth of new hair depends on the type of hair loss treatment you choose. As hair growth is a naturally slow process, it usually takes a few months to notice any changes. This is normal, and the best results are usually observed after six months of treatment.

Finasteride: takes about three to six months to notice reduced hair loss and/or the regrowth of hair.

Medicated Hair Spray: takes about two to four months to notice reduced hair loss and/or the regrowth of hair.

Regaine: takes about two to four months to notice reduced hair loss and/or the regrowth of hair.

You should bear in mind that these timeframes are guidelines, because the time it takes for a male pattern baldness treatment to work is likely to differ from person to person. Some people may experience noticeable changes to their hair in a shorter timeframe than the ones described above. Likewise, it may take a little longer for others. Therefore, it’s best to stay consistent with your chosen hair loss treatment, as hair regrowth tends to improve the longer a treatment is used.

Note that some hair shedding may occur when you first begin treatment with Medicated Hair Spray. This is only temporary, and happens because initial treatment causes the hair follicles to move quickly through the growth cycle until they reach the anagen (growth) stage.

Question 8

What happens if I stop using my hair loss treatment?

Accepted Answer

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.

To help you stay on track with your hair regrowth journey, we’ll send you a refill of your hair loss treatment every month so you never have to worry about running out. By keeping topped up on your hair growth medication, you can retain any hair you regrow and continue to encourage new hair regrowth.

Question 9

What happens if I forget to use my hair loss treatment one day?

Accepted Answer

Don’t worry if you forget to use your hair loss treatment one day. Although male pattern baldness treatments work best when they are used consistently, it takes about three to four months for regrown hair to disappear once treatment is stopped. Therefore, forgetting to use the treatment for one day shouldn’t have an impact on your hair coverage.

Important: if you forget to take your hair loss treatment, do not double the dose to make up for the one/s you missed. Instead, use it as normal the following day.

Question 10

What is an “unlicensed” medicine?

Accepted Answer

An unlicensed medicine can be:

A medicine that is made as a different, unlicensed version of a licensed medicine (e.g. a solid oral medication made into a liquid formulation, or a medication made in a different strength to the original licensed version).
A medicine that has no licence at all.
A medicine that has a licence in other countries, but not the UK.

Every request for our unlicensed and off-label medicines is reviewed by our clinicians. They will review your online consultation and prescribe a hair loss treatment only if it is clinically appropriate, based on individual circumstances.

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