Hair loss treatment

What is hair loss?

Hair loss is a very common condition, also referred to as male pattern baldness, characterised by a loss of hair at the temples and over the top of the head. There are various causes for the condition but it can be treated effectively.

Getting access to the treatment you need is straightforward. Simply complete our online hair loss consultation, then choose your preferred treatment. Our prescriber will review your consultation to ensure you are prescribed the most appropriate medicine to suit your health needs.

What causes hair loss?

Hormone changes and genetic factors can lead to hair loss in men, but it can also take place if hair follicles become more sensitive to dihydrotestosterone, a sex hormone created from testosterone. You may start to see hair loss from the crown of your head, as well as your temples, but it can also start to recede from the front of the head as well.

Hair loss does occur naturally in us all and it’s normal to lose between 50 and 100 hairs a day, but if you lose more than this it’s considered ‘actual hair loss’, which is where hairs are lost at a faster rate than new ones are able to growth, or where no new hair growth occurs at all.

The condition is not a medical cause for concern but it can take its toll emotionally and mentally, causing anxiety and having an impact on self-esteem and confidence levels. In this instance, hair loss treatments are available to help you regain control of your condition and encourage hair to grow.

MENS offers a range of treatments for hair loss. The service includes a confidential online consultation with a UK-based prescriber who will prescribe an appropriate treatment based on your medical history. Information on the different treatments can be found below.

The different causes of hair loss include:

Genetics:
This is the most common cause, characterised by a receding hairline, bald spots and an overall thinning of the hair.

Psychological factors:
Conditions like stress can lead to hair loss, pushing follicles into a resting phase where they stop producing hair.

Age:
As you get older, you may find that new hair production slows or regrowth stops altogether.

Medication:
If you’re taking certain medications, such as drugs for depression, high blood pressure, cancer or heart problems, you may find you experience hair loss as a result.

Illness:
Some medical conditions like thyroid disease, anaemia, hyperandrogenism and alopecia areata can lead to hair loss.

Types of hair loss

There are different types of hair loss and familiarising yourself with them can help you work out the best course of treatment for your condition.

Temporary hair loss, for example, can be down to your stress levels, characterised by hair loss at the temples and the top of the head. This kind of hair loss is usually reversible and once your stress levels decrease, you may well find that hair growth resumes.

Hereditary male pattern baldness is the most common type of hair loss, responsible for over 90 per cent of cases in men.

Total hair loss (or alopecia) is thought to be the result of an autoimmune disease, characterised by complete loss of hair on the head. Patch baldness may also be the result of an autoimmune disease, characterised by spots and patches across the head in different shapes and sizes.

How can hair loss be treated?

Depending on the type of hair loss, there are various treatment options available. Medication includes the likes of Regaine Foam, finasteride and Propecia, as well as shampoos, lotions and tablets. These can be effective at decelerating hair loss and male pattern baldness, but it’s important to note that results can take time to show.

Such medication is available to string online following a confidential consultation with a certified prescriber.

Lifestyle changes can also help to slow the rate of hair loss, although if the underlying cause is genetic, it will be hard to prevent hair loss altogether. You may find that making dietary changes can help, as can avoiding using harsh shampoos that strip the hair of its natural oils.

Surgical treatment

Finally, there is also hair transplant surgery available, which involves moving sections of skin with hair to bald places on the scalp. This can be invasive and expensive, with risks of scarring and infection, however.