Hair Loss Medication

Hair loss medications refer to drugs (either oral or topical) that individuals take to encourage hair growth, particularly after experiencing androgenetic alopecia. 

There are a couple of different types of hair loss medications available, including the most common: 

• Finasteride: A prescription-only medication that inhibits 5-alpha reductase to block the hormone DHT (dihydrotestosterone). 
• Minoxidil: An over-the-counter medication that promotes vasodilation to increase blood flow to the scalp, which means the follicles receive more oxygen and nutrients. 
• Dutasteride: Less common than Minoxidil or Finasteride, but still used. Like Finasteride, Dutasteride works as a 5-alpha reductase inhibitor and blocks DHT. 

Of course, not everyone is a good candidate for a hair loss medication – at the same time, the right medication may turn a thinning hairline or crown into an area of full hair growth once more. 

Discover more about each of these hair loss drugs in this guide, including how they work, who they are for, their effectiveness, and any potential side effects.

It is important to be aware that hair loss medications aren’t a perfect cure-all for hair loss. They only work on certain types of hair loss, and consistency is key for effectiveness – if you want the results to stay put, you will need to commit to the medication for life. If you stop, the hair will fall out again. 

They are usually only recommended when an individual has early to mid-stage hair loss and does not want to go down the surgical route. Typically, this is due to the cost of surgery, but keep in mind that the long-term cost of hair loss medications can quickly add up. 

Plus, there are different hair loss medications recommended based on your assigned sex at birth, male or female, and it’s all to do with hormones.

When it comes to the three main hair loss medications available – Finasteride, Minoxidil, and Dutasteride – men are able to choose from any of them. 

Many men start by using Minoxidil to treat male pattern hair loss, as it’s an over-the-counter medication that enhances blood flow to the scalp and can effectively regrow lost hair over time. 

However, it’s common for men to also take Finasteride alongside Minoxidil, with Finasteride blocking DHT, a hormone responsible for male pattern baldness to begin with. When working side by side, men experience the most effective reversal of hair loss when using medications only. 

Dutasteride is also an option for men. This is a prescription-only medication used to treat enlarged prostates, but it can also be effective at blocking DHT production, much like Finasteride. 

Hair loss drugs for women typically only include Minoxidil. Finasteride and Dutasteride are not recommended for women because they specifically work by targeting male pattern baldness caused by DHT, so they won’t be as effective on women. There’s also the fact that these medications are especially risky for pregnant women and can lead to birth defects. 

Minoxidil for women is sold under the brand name Regaine and is typically sold in a lower strength formula of 2%. However, it is possible for women to use the higher strength of 5%.

The Cost: About £40-£70 for a 3-month supply (depending on chosen formula).  

Minoxidil is a very common over-the-counter medication specifically used to treat androgenetic alopecia in men and women. It is usually applied topically to the scalp and works as a vasodilator, expanding the blood vessels and promoting better blood flow and nutrient delivery to the follicles and, because of this, hair follicles reverse miniaturisation and hair shafts increase in diameter, leading to new hair growth. It is essentially about “waking up” the dormant hair follicles, helping them grow hair like they used to. 

It’s very effective, too, with several studies showing that: yes, Minoxidil successfully regrows hair in many people experiencing hair loss. One of the earliest clinical trials took place in the mid 80s, with the study comparing a placebo to 2% Minoxidil – results showed that the Minoxidil led to a significantly higher hair count in participants. Later in 1996, another study was conducted to see the difference between 5% and 2% Minoxidil, and it was found that 5% strength was superior in both speed and magnitude of hair regrowth in male participants. 

Minoxidil is sold in the UK under the brand name Regaine, and there are different types of this hair loss drug sold, including Regaine for men and for women. They are sold as foams, and you can get them as regular strength 2% or extra strength 5%.

You apply the foam medication directly to the scalp, focusing specifically on areas that have experienced hair loss. The area should be clean and dry before application. After applying, let it dry for a couple of hours (for example, don’t go to bed while Minoxidil is still wet on the scalp). You’ll need to do this every day, with some applying twice per day. 

Minoxidil is a popular hair loss drug for several reasons: 

• It’s Effective: Many studies show that Minoxidil genuinely improves hair growth. 
• Easy to use: It’s easy to apply to the scalp. 
• Accessible: You can get it over the counter. 

Of course, there are some considerations and drawbacks, too. 

• Persistence is necessary: You need to use it daily for results to stick around, which is a bit of commitment. 
• Initial hair shedding: In the first few weeks of using Minoxidil, many individuals experience temporary hair shedding. 
• Potential side effects: There are some potential side effects of Minoxidil, including an irritated scalp, itching, and unwanted body hair growth. 

It takes time: It is a slow process, and it will take between 3 and 6 months to see any results. 

The Cost: Around £14+ for a month’s supply. 

Finasteride is a prescription-only medication predominantly used to treat enlarged prostates, also known as benign prostatic hyperplasia. However, it can also be prescribed privately as a treatment for male pattern baldness. 

Finasteride works as a 5-alpha reductase inhibitor that prevents the process of turning testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT), effectively suppressing the amount of DHT by 70%. This works well for reversing hair loss as DHT is a male hormone that binds the scalp follicles, leading to miniaturisation and, subsequently, hair loss. 

There are several studies indicating just how effective Finasteride is at treating male pattern baldness. One study by Drake et al in 1999 showed that the drug significantly decreases DHT on the scalp of men. Another study showed that several different doses of Finasteride led to an increased hair count in men, with 1mg providing much more efficacy compared to much lower doses of 0.2mg and 0.01mg.

Take the hair loss tablet each day by swallowing it with water. It is best to take it at the same time each day. Plus, daily use is essential for results to stay consistent. 

• Easy to take: You simply need to swallow a pill each day.
• Proved effectiveness: Studies show it leads to slowed hair loss and regrowth.

A lifelong commitment: You need to take Finasteride daily – if not, hair loss will return. 

• It takes time: You won’t notice results until at least 3 months after you start taking Finasteride. 
• Only for men: It is not recommended for women to take Finasteride – especially pregnant women. 
• Potential side effects: There are some potential and common side effects of taking Finasteride. These include a decreased libido, erectile dysfunction, changes to mood, and enlarged breasts.

The Cost: £15+ for a one-month supply. 

Dutasteride is a prescription hair loss tablet that is commonly sold under the brand name Avodart. While it’s usually used to treat enlarged prostates, it also works for treating male pattern baldness.

It works very similarly to Finasteride – it is a 5-alpha reductase inhibitor that blocks the production of DHT, the hormone responsible for male hair loss. However, unlike Finasteride, it inhibits both types of 5-alpha reductase enzymes (Type I and II), making it even more effective. Plus, while Finasteride has a half-life of around 4 and a half hours, Dutasteride has a half-life of over 5 weeks. Essentially, that means it stays in your blood longer, prolonging its effectiveness. Plus, Dutasteride suppresses DHT by 98% (compared to Finasteride’s 70%).

Dutasteride should be taken once a day in tablet form. Take this hair loss tablet by swallowing it with some water (no crushing or breaking it down). You should also try to take it at the same time every day. 

• Long acting: It has a half-life of over 5 weeks, so it stays effective for a long time. 
• It significantly reduces DHT: It’s very effective at reducing DHT, blocking about 98% of DHT levels. 
• Very effective: It is a highly effective hair loss drug, with studies showing it works even better than Finasteride. 

• Not to be used by women or children: This medication is specifically for adult males only. It can be unsafe for women and children – especially pregnant women, as it can cause birth defects. 
• Side effects: There are some common side effects, including ejaculation problems, a decreased libido, breast enlargement, and mood changes. 
• It takes time: It takes several months for results to show through. 

Before choosing between Minoxidil, Finasteride, and Dutasteride, it helps to view them side by side to see which one might be the most effective for you. 

One study looked at exactly this, with the goal of comparing how each hair loss medication effectively treats androgenetic alopecia, and it showed that the half-life of Minoxidil was around 4 hours, the half-life of Finasteride was 4.5 hours, and the half-life of Dutasteride was around 5 weeks. As such, it’s clear that Dutasteride is a more potent and effective treatment. However, that’s not all you need to take into account when comparing each hair loss drug.

Many people choose hair loss medications like Minoxidil, Finasteride, and Dutasteride instead of opting for surgery. While this can be an effective route, there are times when surgery actually makes more sense. 

Hair loss surgery, or hair transplants, involves transplanting healthy hair follicles to the area of the scalp where you are experiencing hair loss. It is a minimally invasive procedure that provides permanent results. 

Here are the key differences between hair loss drugs and hair transplantation surgery: 

• Cost: Hair transplants have a much higher upfront cost, starting at around £2,000 but going up to £15,000+ for very extensive loss. On the other hand, hair loss medications cost a smaller amount, but individuals will need to continuously pay that price for life for the results to stick. 
• Who it’s for: Hair loss medications are best for individuals with early-stage thinning, whereas transplants are more effective for more advanced hair loss. 
• Recovery: A hair transplant requires recovery, with most people needing at least a couple of weeks off from work. On the other hand, no recovery is required with medications.
• Side effects: There are significant differences in side effects. A hair transplant may lead to short-term side effects like temporary shedding, an irritated scalp, and some bleeding. On the other hand, Minoxidil can lead to side effects like scalp irritation and heart palpitations. Then, side effects of Finasteride and Dutasteride include mood changes, breast enlargement, and libido changes.
• Hair surgery is one and done: A hair transplant is great because it is a one-and-done type of treatment – people don’t have to worry once results grow through, as results are often permanent. That’s not the case with hair loss medications, as they require consistent use.

As well as hair loss medications and hair surgery, there are also adjunct therapies that can effectively treat hair loss. 

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP): A clinical treatment that involves extracting a patient’s own blood, concentrating the platelets within that blood, and reinjecting those platelets into the scalp (specifically the area with hair loss). The growth factors present in the blood’s platelets can stimulate dormant follicles and encourage new growth. 

Low-level light therapy (LLLT): Low-level light therapy, or red-light therapy, uses specific wavelengths on the scalp. These wavelengths improve circulation and stimulate cytochrome C oxidase, which effectively stimulates dormant follicles. 

Microneedling: Microneedling involves using a device with very small needles on the scalp. The needles create micro-injuries. When this happens, the body’s natural healing response is activated, which encourages the follicles to grow new hairs. 

Many individuals find that using these adjunct therapies at the same time as medications can enhance results even further. You can even use a combination of all three of the adjunct therapies.

Are you ready to regrow a full head of hair? Losing your hair can have a real impact on your confidence and self-image, but you don’t need to let that continue – not when you seek an effective hair restoration treatment. 

At Harley Street Hair Clinic, we have a team of hair specialists who understand the ins and outs of hair loss and can provide the best recommendations depending on your unique hair circumstances. Book a consultation today or send us some photos for a personalised assessment.