Hair loss treatment UK.

What causes hair loss

Losing some hair every day is normal: the NHS says we can lose between 50 and 100 hairs a day, often without noticing. Hair loss is not usually anything to worry about, but occasionally it is a sign of a medical condition. The three most common types look different and have different causes.

• Androgenetic alopecia (male and female pattern hair loss). Caused by a combination of genes and hormones, and it usually runs in the family. Hairs on the affected areas become gradually thinner and shorter until the follicles stop producing hair. In men it shows as a receding hairline and thinning on top; in women as thinning over the top and a wider parting. The NHS describes it as permanent, and it tends to progress slowly, over years to decades. This is the type the scalp treatments on this page are for.
• Telogen effluvium. More hair than usual falls out from all over the scalp, often suddenly and around 3 months after a trigger such as childbirth, a severe illness or high fever, surgery, a stressful event, marked weight loss, starting a new medicine, or stopping a hormone treatment such as the contraceptive pill. It usually gets better on its own without treatment.
• Alopecia areata. An autoimmune condition in which the immune system attacks the hair follicles. It usually causes small, round, smooth bald patches on the scalp, and can affect the beard, eyebrows and eyelashes. Hair can grow back on its own over months, but this cannot be guaranteed.

When to see a GP about hair loss

The NHS advises seeing a GP if you are worried about your hair loss, and getting an idea of the cause from a GP before going to a commercial hair clinic. A GP can often tell what is causing hair loss by looking at your hair, and can help if it is affecting your wellbeing.

Topical minoxidil is only for pattern hair loss. Its product information says it should not be used when there is no family history of hair loss, when hair loss is sudden or patchy, when it follows childbirth, or when the cause is unknown. See a GP first in any of those cases, or if increased shedding does not get better.

How long hair loss treatment takes to work

Hair grows slowly, so any treatment takes months, not weeks. The UK product information for topical minoxidil gives these timings. For dutasteride, and for lash and brow treatments, your prescriber will tell you what to expect.

Side effects of hair loss treatment

The main side effects of each active ingredient in the range, from its UK product information. Each product page has a fuller safety summary, and the leaflet in the pack is the authoritative list.

• Minoxidil on the scalp or skin (Gorilla Hair Tonic, Cockatoo Styling Clay, The GOAT Beard Spray): headache; itching, redness, dryness or flaking where it is applied; unwanted hair growth where the product spreads, such as the face; and a temporary increase in shedding in the first weeks. It can also cause chest pain, palpitations, dizziness or swollen hands or feet: stop and contact a doctor if you get any of these, or faintness or sudden unexplained weight gain. Keep treated skin away from babies and children, because skin contact with minoxidil has caused unwanted hair growth in infants. Safety summaries: Gorilla Hair Tonic, Cockatoo Styling Clay, The GOAT Beard Spray.
• Dutasteride (Gorilla Hair Tonic): the product information for dutasteride lists reduced sex drive, erection problems, ejaculation problems and breast tenderness or enlargement, and depressed mood has been reported with this type of medicine. Gorilla applies dutasteride to the scalp; these effects are reported less often with topical use but cannot be ruled out. Dutasteride is absorbed through the skin, so women and children should avoid contact with it, and it must be kept away from anyone who is or could become pregnant. It also lowers the result of a PSA blood test. Safety summary: Gorilla Hair Tonic.
• Bimatoprost (Giraffe Lash Booster, Macaroni Penguin Brow Booster): itchy or red eyes, darkening of the skin where it is applied, and dry or irritated eyes. If it repeatedly gets into the eye it can increase brown pigment in the iris, which is likely to be permanent. Safety summaries: Giraffe Lash Booster, Macaroni Penguin Brow Booster.
• You can report any side effect to us, or yourself through the MHRA Yellow Card scheme.

Finasteride and other hair loss treatments

The NHS names finasteride and minoxidil as the main treatments for male pattern baldness. Finasteride is a tablet taken once a day; for hair loss it is only available on a private prescription, not on the NHS, and women should not use it. Every product on this page is applied to the skin, and none contains finasteride.

Other options the NHS lists include steroid injections or creams for bald patches, wigs, and hair transplants. Not all treatments are available on the NHS, none works for everyone, and the ones for pattern hair loss only work for as long as they are used.