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POSTED: 6 Oct 2024

Where to Get Topical & Oral Finasteride Online for Hair Loss in the UK

Male and female pattern (androgenetic alopecia) are two of the most common forms of hair loss. They affect millions of people in the UK. In the past few years, has become a for this type of hair loss, especially in men. It is also sometimes used to treat in . this has been in the form of oral tablets, but topical finasteride treatments are increasingly becoming . Despite the marketing and social media hype, this treatment is not for everyone as there are many . In the UK, in all its forms is available by prescription only to ensure safe and appropriate use. We review where to get topical and online and in person in the UK for .

Why is Finasteride a Prescription Only Medicine?

Before we start, it’s really important to stress why finasteride is a prescription only medicine in countries like the UK. works by blocking the conversion of testosterone into . This drug was initially discovered as a treatment for but was later found to help treat hair loss. By reducing DHT levels, finasteride helps to further hair loss and can even promote hair regrowth. There are however some potentially including libido, and mood changes. Worse still, these may be even after stopping treatment. As such there are strict guides to it to reduce these risks. In fact oral finasteride is under review by in several countries including the UK and the United States to further for this purpose.

What is Topical Finasteride?

Topical finasteride is a version you apply to the scalp rather than as a tablet. It usually comes as a compounded solution, serum, foam or cream, often with other actives like . Like the oral form, it blocks the enzyme that turns into DHT, the hormone behind hair loss. The difference is that finasteride works mainly in the scalp, how much reaches the bloodstream. The aim is to lower the risk of systemic side effects whilst still cutting DHT where it counts. is . It points to better hair count with lower blood DHT than tablets. That said, the evidence is less extensive than for the oral form. There is no licensed topical product in the UK. Instead a specialist pharmacy makes it up as an ‘special’ on prescription from a doctor or other licensed .

What’s the Difference Between Topical & Oral Finasteride?

The two forms share the same active but differ in how you take them and how they act. Oral finasteride, sold as the brand Propecia, is a once-daily 1 mg tablet. It is for men with male pattern hair loss and has the strongest behind it. Trials show it . Because a tablet acts throughout the body, it carries a recognised risk of systemic side effects. These include reduced libido, dysfunction and mood changes, which the . For a small number of people these effects may after .

Topical takes a different approach by delivering the drug straight to the scalp. The goal is to keep more of it where it is needed and less of it in the . It is not here, so a specialist pharmacy compounds it for each individual usually as a solution, serum or foam. The is that the evidence, whilst promising, is younger and smaller than the of data on . For many men the choice comes down to weighing proven results against the wish to limit systemic . This is exactly the kind of a prescriber should help you make, not something to settle from an advert.

Where to Get Finasteride for Hair Loss in Person in the UK

Finasteride is a medication in the UK, meaning you must see a doctor or other prescriber to obtain it. Although the NHS may offer drugs like finasteride and Cialis (tadalafil) for urological conditions, it does not usually cover hair loss treatments. As such, most people will need to see a private GP, dermatologist or hair loss specialist. In addition, some pharmacies also have walk-in clinics where you can consult with an doctor or prescriber.

After your consultation, if the doctor feels that this is an appropriate treatment for you, they will provide you with a prescription after counselling you of the risks. You can then take the prescription to a pharmacy to buy the medication. This may be either as or a version like . There are also a number of aesthetic and specialist hair loss clinics who may offer topical hair . These may include a solution or foam containing finasteride (often formulated with other like minoxidil). Again your prescriber must counsel you about risks and only offer it if they feel it is appropriate and safe for you. In this situation they will send the prescription to a compounding pharmacy who will formulate and deliver the treatment to you or the clinic.

Where to Get Finasteride for Hair Loss Online in the UK

There are several online providers where, if appropriate, you can access . These platforms and online UK have made it easier than ever to get treatment following a virtual consultation with a UK doctor or . This has not necessarily been all good as it has made space for and the trivialising of finasteride’s risks.

Like in-person clinics, virtual services should do a thorough medical review of your hair loss, physical and mental health. They should also review whether you’re on or have a history of using certain medications such as abilify, accutane, propranolol, prozac (fluoxetine), seroquel (quetiapine) and . Only a thorough consultation will help the safest and best for you. They usually deliver treatments directly to you. These online often discreet packaging to ensure your privacy throughout the . Treatment fees can vary depending on the but these online providers often offer competitive rates to in-person clinics. Additionally, some platforms ongoing support and advice free of charge. Here are some of the most popular online where adults can .

#1 City Skin Clinic

is an online clinic providing personalised skin and for men and women, with a focus on topical rather than oral . We design custom hair serums using like , , , , and where appropriate and safe. Your doctor selects the best combination, and a base suited to your hair and scalp. A compounding pharmacist then each formula and it to your door. Unlike most online services, we offer either a video consultation or an online form. You’ll work with the same doctor throughout, who involves you in every . They will assess your and goals, design a bespoke plan, your progress and adjust it as needed. You can reach them for or advice free of charge.

Booking a consultation is simple. You can either schedule a or complete the . After your consultation, if finasteride is suitable, your doctor will prescribe a hair loss containing it (and any other ingredients they think will be useful) then you with a personalised treatment plan to follow. Each treatment is designed to last 3 months. Your doctor will work with you to adjust the as needed for the next course based on your progress.

Personalised prescription-strength skincare

#2 Hims UK

is an American telehealth platform that on men’s health. They recently made it over to the UK and offer online form with licensed clinicians for hair loss . The clinicians who will review the form are UK registered pharmacist prescribers. Hims offers compounded oral and finasteride other hair loss like minoxidil to suitable . It is a subscription service that offers monthly, quarterly, and annual packages. The cost of is by the subscription and are delivered to your door. Their service includes free and access to your clinician at any time.

#3 Boots Online Doctor

provides male pattern hair loss treatments including oral finasteride where appropriate. The process involves completing an online consultation which a healthcare (these are generally prescribing pharmacists) assesses. They offer either as generic or (Propecia) tablets. They also offer for finasteride and minoxidil . You can have delivered to your home or collect from a local Boots . They don’t seem to offer any other prescription hair loss treatments apart from oral finasteride.

#4 LloydsPharmacy Online Doctor

offers a hair loss treatment which includes oral finasteride. After completing an online consultation, a healthcare professional (either a doctor or pharmacist) will review your details to if finasteride is suitable for you. Both branded and generic forms of finasteride are available. You can choose between home delivery or from a local LloydsPharmacy store. Apart from oral finasteride, they don’t offer any other prescription hair loss treatments.

#5 Superdrug Online Doctor

also offers a hair loss service, including prescriptions for oral . Like LloydsPharmacy and Boots, you complete an online about your health and . Following that one of their doctors will review your information to assess whether finasteride is for you. Both branded Propecia and generic tablets are available, and you can choose to have the to your home or collect it from a Superdrug store. Beyond oral finasteride, they don’t offer any other prescription hair loss treatments.

#6 Numan

is another platform for men that provides oral finasteride and oral or topical minoxidil as hair loss treatments as part of its subscription plans. You can either complete an online consultation form or book a phone with one of their doctors. For patients, Numan offers finasteride tablets either alone or as part of a package containing minoxidil and a non hair growth spray. They deliver treatments to you and ongoing from their team of clinicians.

#7 Manual

also offers oral and as their main for hair loss through their online clinic subscription service. Following a simple online consultation, your medical is by a licensed prescriber. They will which treatment is for you. Treatments are delivered directly to your home on a regular basis unless you stop or pause your . The provides ongoing medical from their team allowing you to track your and make adjustments to your treatment if needed.

#8 Zava

is a that offers online form assessments which their review. They provide generic oral finasteride and Propecia for male hair loss to suitable patients. They will then deliver the products directly to the customer’s home. Aside from this, they don’t offer any other prescription hair loss treatments.

#9 Sons

is another online subscription for men that offers hair loss treatments with minoxidil and finasteride in the UK. After completing an online consultation, a clinician (typically a pharmacist prescriber) will review your information determine the best for you. Sons provides oral minoxidil or finasteride as well as a topical spray that combines finasteride, and tretinoin. They also offer combined of oral and topical treatments based on your consultation. They treatments directly to your door and ongoing support from their team.

#10 Hair + Me

has recently entered the market so we’ve added it to this list. This is an offshoot of Skin + Me who are a that provides skincare . They provide finasteride for hair loss in both and form to patients. The active ingredients are chosen following the online form review which is reviewed by their (mainly pharmacists or nurses). This is a custom that are delivered to .

can be an effective for men and some women pattern hair loss. In the UK, you can through in-person and online clinics. These have grown in number over the last year and there will likely be many more. However, finasteride (with good reason) is a prescription only medicine. It requires thorough medical evaluation to ensure that it is only for the right patients and used to side effects which can be serious. Patients should also receive counselling regarding its risks. In this post we’ve provided a review of some of the most popular online and pharmacies which provide finasteride for hair loss in the UK. Always ensure you consult with a healthcare professional that offers a wide range of treatments to help you find the best option for your hair loss.

We that hair loss is a deeply journey. This is why we created custom hair loss treatments for and through our online skin clinic. Our create custom topical hair loss treatments using actives such as , , , and where appropriate for each and every . Choose your and begin your to great hair today.

This article is intended for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always consult a medical for any health concerns or questions you might have.

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SKINCARE 11 March 2024

CULTUREHEALTHSKINCARE 10 July 2023

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