Hair Loss Medication
Androgenetic alopecia is a common condition that is responsible for both male and female pattern baldness, but it doesn't have to be responsible for crushing your confidence.
While hair surgery is a powerful solution, non-invasive hair loss medications can also help prevent hair loss and encourage regrowth. Topical or oral treatments may support new hair growth and boost the effects of surgical procedures.
Dr Epameinondas Bonaros specialises in hair restoration at his Glasgow hair loss clinic. He provides personalised treatment plans including private prescription and over-the-counter hair loss treatments like minoxidil, finasteride and dutasteride.
Schedule an online consultation with Dr Bonaros for a comprehensive assessment and tailored treatment plan. Contact our male and female pattern hair loss clinic in Glasgow at 0141 340 9098 or info@drbonaros.com
Promote Hair Growth with our Hair Loss Treatments
By the age of 50, and sometimes even earlier, roughly half of men will experience male pattern baldness. Female pattern baldness, on the other hand, affects roughly one-third of women in their lifetime. But stats like this don’t have to scare you, because there are now various hair loss treatments available to promote hair regrowth.
Before you start a hair loss treatment, consult with Dr Bonaros, a trusted medical professional who will attentively evaluate your condition. He will note the type of hair loss you are facing, your overall health condition, as well as the extent and rate of your hair loss. He will then determine the preferred treatment for you to prevent hair loss progression and promote renewed hair growth.
Dr Epameinondas Bonaros is an experienced hair restoration specialist heading a patient-centred clinic that not only treats hair loss, but helps you regain your confidence.
Whether you’re experiencing thinning hair or unusual hair loss, book a Zoom consultation to discuss the next steps with Dr Bonaros.
Hair Growth Medications
When it comes to combating hair loss, tailored solutions are key. As part of a personalised treatment plan from Dr Bonaros, over-the-counter and prescription hair growth medication may address pattern baldness or other causes of hair loss.
The ideal medication to stop hair loss will vary based on your health and the underlying cause of hair loss. The three most commonly used treatment options are finasteride, dutasteride and minoxidil. To give you a better understanding of each medication, we discuss their uses, benefits, mechanisms of action, effectiveness and potential side effects below.
Note: None of the information below constitutes medical advice. Book a face-to-face or online consultation with Dr Bonaros to receive personalised, expert advice and pave the way to making an informed decision.
Originally formulated as an antihypertensive agent to combat high blood pressure, minoxidil garnered attention due to an unexpected side effect. It caused generalised hypertrichosis, which is excessive bodily hair growth.
This phenomenon sparked the exploration of minoxidil’s potential as a male and female pattern baldness medication. Presently FDA-approved in the US and a licensed over-the-counter medication in the UK, minoxidil is available as a topical solution for both women and men, coming in various forms from lotion to scalp foam.
Low-dose oral minoxidil is also an alternative to the topical solution in certain cases.
As a hair loss treatment, Minoxidil is the generic name for products that stimulate hair growth, such as Rogaine. They all contain the same active ingredient (minoxidil), typically in a strength of 2% or 5%.
Mechanism of Action
Minoxidil’s exact mechanism of action is not entirely clear. It is theorised that minoxidil works by increasing blood flow to the scalp and hair follicles, thus creating a more favourable environment for follicles to grow healthy, thick and strong hair.
A hair loss treatment with minoxidil is primarily used to treat androgenetic alopecia, although it may also be recommended as a treatment for other types of hair loss. This includes patchy alopecia areata and traction alopecia.
Note that minoxidil helps slow or prevent further hair loss, and while it may stimulate some regrowth in thinning areas, it generally cannot fully reverse hair loss.
If your hair growth needs are not related to your scalp area, read about how minoxidil can be used for beard and body hair growth.
Finasteride was first developed as a treatment for benign prostatic hyperplasia, otherwise known as an enlarged prostate. As an oral or topical medication for hair loss, finasteride is the most thoroughly researched male pattern baldness medication.
Finasteride is available as men’s hair loss tablets in the UK. Due to its potential to disrupt fetal development, the use of this treatment is limited in women. It is typically reserved for specific cases involving post-menopausal women.
The prescription hair loss medication, Propecia, is FDA-approved in the US and licensed in the UK. A tablet of finasteride, the generic of Propecia, contains 1 mg of the same active ingredient (finasteride).
Mechanism of Action
Dihydrotestosterone (DHT), an androgen produced from testosterone, is largely responsible for male pattern hair loss. In men with a family history of hair loss, DHT binds to androgen receptors in hair follicles. This causes the hair follicles to shrink and die. The process can completely halt hair production.
Finasteride disrupts this process by attaching to and inhibiting the type II 5-alpha reductase enzyme. This prevents the conversion of testosterone into DHT, effectively reducing DHT levels and working to prevent further hair loss.
The mechanism of action of finasteride in women is not well understood. It is theorised that the drug supports hair growth in women by increasing the production of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1).
Dutasteride is the generic of Avodart, a medication that is used in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia.
It is also prescribed off-label as a hair loss oral medication for treating androgenetic alopecia in men, otherwise known as male pattern baldness. Dutasteride tablets for hair loss typically contain 0.5 mg of dutasteride each.
Dutasteride for women is not common as it is a category X medication, potentially disrupting fetal male sex organ development. Premenopausal women must use birth control, and pregnant women should avoid handling it due to skin absorption.
Mechanism of Action
Featuring a mechanism of action that is similar to finasteride, dutasteride falls within the category of 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors. While finasteride inhibits only type 2 5-alpha reductase, dutasteride inhibits both type 1 and type 2 5-alpha reductase. This difference means dutasteride is more potent in reducing DHT. For those with male pattern baldness, dutasteride can effectively lower DHT levels, thereby preventing DHT from binding with receptors in the hair follicles to cause their miniaturisation.
Along with finasteride and minoxidil, dutasteride stands as a highly efficient non-surgical avenue to treat thinning hair in men.
Ready to regain your hair and confidence? Book a consultation below or call our leading hair loss treatment clinic in Scotland on 0141 340 9098.
Hair Thinning Medication FAQs
For those considering non-surgical hair loss treatments, these are answers to questions
we are commonly asked about medications like minoxidil, finasteride and dutasteride.
What causes hair loss?
Our hair growth is affected by various aspects of our life, from our immune system and hormones to genetics and medical conditions:
Androgenetic alopecia often stems from genetic susceptibility and hormonal changes. Androgens, particularly dihydrotestosterone (DHT), bind to androgen receptors in the hair follicles and cause the follicles to shrink over time. This results in finer, shorter hair and eventually leads to hair thinning and loss.
Another cause of hair loss can be an autoimmune disease. A common example of this is alopecia areata.
Stress, cancer treatment (like chemotherapy), chemical relaxers and other medications (such as those used to treat heart disease, arthritis and depression) can also cause you to lose hair.
In some cases, these conditions only cause temporary hair loss. There are also certain types of hair loss that cannot be effectively treated with medication.
What is the best hair loss medicine for male pattern baldness?
Finasteride and minoxidil are considered among the most effective licensed hair loss treatments in the UK for male and female pattern hair loss. Clinical studies have explored the effectiveness of a finasteride and minoxidil combined treatment, which indicated that this may result in better results than monotherapies.
Minoxidil: A one-year study into the effectiveness of topical minoxidil has suggested that balding areas of the scalp had become significantly smaller in 2.9% of patients, noticeably smaller in 62% of patients, and unchanged in 35.1%.
Finasteride: By inhibiting DHT (which is responsible for follicle shrinkage), finasteride prevents the hair from falling out and promotes new growth. Finasteride is most effective on the vertex, and research into the effectiveness of long-term finasteride usage indicated that over 95% of men will experience a halt in further hair loss, 66% will see reasonable hair regrowth, and 5% will achieve marked finasteride regrowth.
Dutasteride: While dutasteride is not licensed as a medication for hair loss in the UK, it is widely used for this purpose as it is able to reduce DHT production more significantly compared to finasteride. It also has a longer half-life in the body. Research has found that dutasteride was slightly more effective than finasteride in stimulating new hair growth in men.
Whether you’re looking for a topical receding hairline medication or effective hair loss pills in the UK, the best treatment for you will depend on individual factors. The potential adverse effects of each medication should also be considered.
What are the side effects of hair loss medications?
Minoxidil: The most common side effects reported by men and women from topical minoxidil use include contact dermatitis, scalp irritation and dryness, and unwanted facial hair growth (hypertrichosis). While minoxidil is not advised for pregnant women, the American Academy of Pediatrics considers topical minoxidil to pose little to no threat in lactation.
Finasteride: Side effects that have been reported from patients taking finasteride include temporary hair shedding, low libido, erectile dysfunction, a temporary reduction in sperm count and ejaculatory volume, testicular pain, breast enlargement and tenderness, depression and mood disturbances.
Dutasteride: Similar to finasteride, dutasteride’s potential adverse effects include sexual dysfunction, gynecomastia, depression and mood disturbances. Dutasteride may provoke an allergic reaction in some individuals, causing a rash or swelling of the throat, face and tongue.
After discontinuation of these hair loss treatment options, most unwanted side effects are resolved. As none of these medications is a permanent hair loss solution, discontinuation is likely to cause hairs to fall out again over the subsequent months.
What is the process for getting a hair loss treatment prescription?
During consultations, Dr Bonaros employs a patient-first approach to evaluate your situation, establish an accurate diagnosis, and devise a personalised, comprehensive treatment plan that aligns with your unique needs. This may involve prescribing a suitable topical or oral medication for your hair loss.
When treatment begins, he will oversee the progress of your regimen and suggest other treatments if necessary, such as alternative medical options or permanent surgical solutions.
Patients should only take prescription medication issued by a registered medical expert and dispensed by a licensed pharmacy.
Find the right treatment for your hair loss condition with Dr Bonaros.
Request a detailed assessment and personalised quote using our Online Assessment Form.
Dr Bonaros:
Trusted Hair Loss Specialist in Scotland
At Dr Bonaros’ hair restoration clinic, our objective is to offer sincere, responsible and ethical guidance personalised to the individual needs of each patient. We are committed to achieving safe results with a long-term perspective that empowers both men and women to reclaim their self-confidence and enhance their quality of life.
Our patient-first philosophy — anchored in trust, integrity and expertise — ensures that your well-being is our top priority. Choose the Dr Bonaros Hair Transplant Clinic for:
Cost-effective and cutting-edge hair restoration treatments
A state-of-the-art hair restoration clinic
A highly experienced team dedicated to restoring your self-confidence
Dr Bonaros is a full member of the British Association of Hair Restoration Surgery (BAHRS) and the only full member of the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery (ISHRS) in Scotland. Both of these esteemed associations are concerned with upholding the highest standards of hair restoration surgical practices.
He is also certified with the American Board of Hair Restoration Surgery (ABHRS). This ABHRS certification is the only recognised board qualification in the specialised field of hair restoration.
Alternative Hair Loss Treatments
If you’re interested in permanent solutions to combat hair loss, an alternative treatment option to medications is a FUE hair transplant.
Dr Bonaros is a renowned hair transplant surgeon with a trusted hair loss clinic in Scotland. Here, every step of the FUE hair transplantation procedure is performed with Dr Bonaros as the lead surgeon, using the advanced direct hair implantation method to create incredibly natural-looking results.
Trust us with everything from hair transplants to female or male hair loss medication in the UK. To discuss our hair restoration solutions, get in touch with our Glasgow clinic.
Disclaimer: This content is meant for informational purposes and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Book a consultation with Dr Bonaros for individual guidance.