Topical option
Minoxidil
Applied to the scalp for suitable pattern hair loss. Some people notice early shedding; visible benefit commonly takes around 2–4 months, and continued use is normally required to maintain it.
Read the minoxidil guide →● Pattern hair loss and treatment review
Hair-loss treatment prescription assessment
Assessment of hair-loss pattern, duration, medical causes and suitability for licensed or established treatment.
English-speaking doctorRegistered medical professionalsConsult from homeTelephone or secure videoPrescription by emailWhen clinically appropriateNo subscriptionPay only when you consult
Treatment options explained
What may be discussed during a hair-loss consultation
The aim is to identify the pattern and likely cause first, then choose a realistic treatment and review plan. Treatment can slow further loss and may improve density, but no medicine works for everyone or restores follicles that are no longer active.
Prescription tablet
Finasteride
Reduces DHT and is licensed for suitable men with early male-pattern hair loss. Stabilisation usually requires 3–6 months; benefit is maintained only while treatment continues. Suitability and possible sexual or mood effects must be reviewed.
Read the finasteride guide →Specialist or off-label discussion
Dutasteride
Dutasteride also lowers DHT but is authorised for prostate treatment, not hair loss. Any off-label consideration requires an individual medical decision, careful risk discussion and is never an automatic prescription.
Read the dutasteride guide →Can treatment reverse hair loss?
It may slow progression and can improve hair count or density when follicles remain active. Long-standing complete baldness is much less likely to regrow.
Does it work immediately?
No. Hair grows in cycles. Baseline photos and consistent use are important because meaningful comparison usually takes several months.
Does it work for everybody?
No. Response depends on the diagnosis, duration, pattern, adherence and individual biology. Sudden or patchy loss may need examination or blood tests instead.
Consultation to ongoing care
A treatment plan—not a one-off tablet request
The first appointment establishes the diagnosis, checks safety and agrees how progress will be measured. Stable treatment can then move to a simpler renewal route.
Assess the problem
Review onset, family history, scalp photographs, medicines, health conditions and whether examination or blood testing is needed.
Choose and explain
If suitable, the doctor explains the medicine, correct use, side effects, realistic expectations and when to make contact.
Compare progress
Review consistent photographs, shedding, density, adherence and side effects. Treatment may be continued, changed or stopped.
Repeat-prescription basis
When the diagnosis, medicine and dose are established and unchanged, suitable renewals may use the focused repeat-prescription service. New symptoms, side effects or dose changes need another doctor consultation.
Clinical information: finasteride product information · minoxidil patient leaflet · EMA safety review
Common reasons for review
What brings patients to the consultation
- Male or female pattern hair loss
- Finasteride or minoxidil review
- Established treatment continuity
- Possible medical causes of shedding
Prepare before the appointment
Help the doctor assess the pattern
- When hair loss began and its pattern
- Photos of the scalp in good light
- Current medicines and relevant conditions
- Previous treatments and side effects
A clear medical process📅 📋 🩺 📱
From booking to the correct treatment
Book
Choose an available telephone or secure video consultation.
Prepare
Have symptoms, medicines and relevant evidence ready.
Clinical review
The doctor checks suitability, safety and examination needs.
Next step
Receive a plan, prescription when appropriate or local referral.
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Important clinical limits
Online care is not emergency care
Sudden, patchy or inflamed hair loss, scarring, systemic symptoms or hair loss during pregnancy may require examination, blood tests or specialist referral.
Call 112 immediately for a life-threatening emergency, unconsciousness, a seizure, severe breathing difficulty, collapse or stroke symptoms.
Common questions
Hair-loss treatment questions
Can hair-loss treatment regrow all lost hair?
No. Treatment can slow progression and may improve density while follicles remain active, but it cannot guarantee regrowth and is less likely to restore long-standing complete hair loss.
How quickly does minoxidil work?
Visible benefit commonly needs two to four months of consistent use. Some users notice temporary increased shedding early in treatment, and benefit usually requires continued use.
How quickly does finasteride work?
Finasteride commonly needs three to six months before stabilisation or visible benefit can be assessed. Continued treatment is generally required to maintain the effect.
Is dutasteride licensed for hair loss?
No. Dutasteride is authorised for benign prostate enlargement rather than hair loss. Any off-label discussion requires an individual medical assessment and does not guarantee prescribing.
What happens during the first consultation?
The doctor reviews the pattern, timing, family history, scalp photographs, medicines, health conditions and previous treatment, then decides whether treatment, examination or blood testing is appropriate.
Will I need a full consultation for every prescription?
Not always. Once treatment and dose are established, unchanged and well tolerated, suitable renewals may use the focused repeat-prescription service. Changes, side effects or new symptoms require another doctor consultation.
When should progress be reviewed?
A useful comparison often occurs after three to six months using consistent photographs. The doctor may recommend a different interval according to the treatment, diagnosis and safety considerations.
When does hair loss need physical assessment?
Sudden, patchy, inflamed or scarring hair loss, scalp disease, systemic symptoms or suspected nutritional or hormonal causes may require examination, blood tests or specialist referral.