Male and female pattern baldness (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 Finasteride has become a popular treatment for this type of hair loss especially for men. Traditionally this has been in the form of oral tablets but topical Finasteride treatments are also increasingly available. Despite the marketing, this treatment is not for everyone as there are many risks and side effects. In the UK Finasteride in all its forms is available by prescription only to ensure safe and appropriate use. We review where to get oral and topical Finasteride for hair loss in person and online in the UK.
Why is Finasteride a Prescription Only Medicine?
Before we start, it’s really important to stress why Finasteride is a prescription only medicine. Finasteride works by blocking the conversion of testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT). This drug was initially discovered as a treatment for enlarged prostates but was later found to help treat hair loss. By reducing DHT levels, Finasteride helps to prevent further hair loss and can even promote hair regrowth. There are however some potentially serious side effects including reduced libido, erectile dysfunction and mood changes. As such there are strict guides to prescribing it to reduce these risks. The main use is treating male pattern hair loss but sometimes (rarely) may have a role in treating hair loss in post menopausal women.
There are two forms of Finasteride available for hair loss treatment in the UK. Oral Finasteride, sold under the brand name Propecia, is a once-daily tablet. It has been proven effective in reducing hair loss in men. Propecia is licensed for use in the UK as a 1mg daily tablet for male pattern hair loss. Topical Finasteride is also available as an unlicensed medication to treat hair loss. It is usually available as a compounded solution/serum or foam which you then apply directly to the scalp. The main benefit of topical Finasteride is that it potentially reduces the risk of systemic side effects. It can also target hair loss directly at the source. However, although studies on topical Finasteride are promising, they are less extensive compared to the oral form.
Where to Get Finasteride for Hair Loss in Person in the UK
Finasteride is a prescription-only medication in the UK, meaning you must see a doctor to obtain it. Although the NHS may offer Finasteride for certain 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 high-street pharmacies also have walk-in clinics where you can consult with an on-site doctor or pharmacist prescriber.
After your consultation, if the the doctor feels that this is an appropriate treatment for you, they will provide you with a prescription, which you can take to a pharmacy to purchase the medication. This may be either as generic Finasteride or a branded version like Propecia. There are also a number of aesthetic and specialist hair loss clinics who may offer topical hair treatments. These may include a solution or foam containing Finasteride (often formulated with other ingredients like minoxidil) if the doctor feels it is appropriate for you. In this situation they will send the prescription to a specialist 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 reputable online providers where if appropriate you can access Finasteride for hair loss in the UK. These Telehealth platforms and online pharmacies have made it easier than ever to access Finasteride following a virtual consultation with a UK licensed doctor or pharmacist. They usually deliver treatments directly to you. These online services often provide discreet packaging to ensure your privacy throughout the process. Treatment fees can vary depending on the platform but these online providers often offer competitive rates compared to traditional in-person clinics. Additionally, some platforms provide ongoing support and medical advice free of charge. Here are some of the most popular online services where adults can get Finasteride for hair loss in the UK:
#1 City Skin Clinic
City Skin Clinic is an online clinic providing personalised skin and hair loss treatments. We design custom topical hair loss treatments using ingredients like Finasteride, Dutasteride, Biotin, Melatonin, Caffeine and Minoxidil where appropriate. A specialist compounding pharmacist then prepares these individually for each person and delivers treatments directly to your door. Unlike other online services, City Skin Clinic offers the option of either a video consultation or an online form consultation with a doctor. Your doctor will assess your hair loss concerns and goals then design a bespoke treatment plan tailored to your specific needs. We prioritise involving our patients in the treatment process, accommodating their preferences and concerns. Whether you choose a video consultation or the online form, you’ll work with the same doctor throughout your treatment journey. Your doctor will monitor your progress and help you get the most out of your treatment, adjusting the plan as needed. You can reach out to them anytime for support or advice free of charge.
Booking a consultation is simple. You can either schedule a virtual video appointment or complete the online consultation form. After your consultation, if Finasteride is suitable, your doctor will prescribe a topical hair loss treatment containing it (and any other ingredients they think will be useful) then provide you with a personalised treatment plan to follow. Each treatment is designed to last three months. Your doctor will work closely with you to adjust the formula as needed for the next course, based on your progress.
#2 Hims UK
Hims is an American telehealth platform that focuses on men’s health. They recently made it over to the UK and offer onlien form consultations with licensed clinicians for hair loss treatments. The clinicians who will review the form are UK registered pharmacist prescribers. Hims offers compounded oral and topical Finasteride alongside other hair loss treatments like minoxidil to suitable patients. It is a subscription service that offers monthly, quarterly, semi-annual and annual packages. The cost of treatment is determined by the subscription and treatments are delivered to your door. Their service includes free ongoing support and access to your clinician at any time.
#3 Boots Online Doctor
Boots Online Doctor provides male pattern hair loss treatments including oral Finasteride where appropriate. The process involves completing an online consultation which a licensed healthcare professional (these are generally prescribing pharmacists) assesses. They offer Finasteride either as generic or branded (Propecia) tablets. They also offer subscriptions for combined Finasteride tablets and topical Minoxidil treatments. You can have medication delivered to your home or collect from a local Boots pharmacy. They don’t offer any other prescription hair loss treatments apart from oral Finasteride.
#4 LloydsPharmacy Online Doctor
LloydsPharmacy Online Doctor offers a hair loss treatment service which includes oral Finasteride. After completing an online consultation, a qualified healthcare professional (either a doctor or pharmacist) will review your medical details to determine if Finasteride is suitable for you. Both branded and generic forms of finasteride are available, and you can choose between home delivery or collection from a local LloydsPharmacy store. Apart from oral Finasteride, they don’t offer any other prescription hair loss treatments.
#5 Superdrug Online Doctor
Superdrug Online Doctor also offers a hair loss treatment service, including prescriptions for oral Finasteride. Like LloydsPharmacy and Boots, you complete an online questionnaire about your health and symptoms. Follwoing that one of their doctors will review your information to assess whether Finasteride is suitable for you. Both branded Propecia and generic Finasteride tablets are available, and you can choose to have the medication delivered 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
Numan is another telehealth platform for men that provides 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 one-off phone consultation with one of their doctors. For suitable patients, Numan offers Finasteride tablets either alone or as part of a package containing Minoxidil solution and a non prescription hair growth spray. They deliver treatments to you and ongoing support from their team of clinicians.
#7 Manual
Manual also offers a oral Finsteride and topical Minoxidil as their main treatment options for hair loss through their online clinic subscription service. Following a simple online consultation, your medical history is reviewed by a licensed pharmacist prescriber. They will determine which treatment is suitable for you. Treatments are delivered directly to your home on a regular basis unless you stop or pause your subscription. The service provides ongoing medical support from their team allowing you to track your progress and make adjustments to your treatment if needed.
#8 Zava
Zava is a telehealth platform that offers online form assessments which their doctors review. They provide generic oral Finasteride and Propecia tablets for male pattern hair loss to suitable patients. They will then deliver the products directly to the customer’s home. Aside form this, they don’t offer any other prescription hair loss treatments.
#9 Sons
Sons is another online subscription service for men that offers hair loss treatments with Minoxidil and Finasteride. After completing an online consultation, your information is reviewed by a licensed clinician (typically a pharmacist prescriber) to determine the best treatment for you. Sons provides oral Minoxidil or Finasteride as well as a topical spray that combines Finasteride, Minoxidil and Tretinoin. They also offer combined packages of oral and topical treatments based on your consultation. They deliver treatments directly to your door and ongoing clinical support from their team.
Finasteride can be an effective treatment option for men experiencing hair loss due to male pattern baldness if appropriate. In the UK, you can access topical and oral Finasteride for hair loss through in person and online clinics. However, Finasteride (with good reason) is a prescription only medicine. It requires further medical evaluation to ensure that it is only prescribed for the right patients and used correctly to minimise side effects which can be serious. In this post we’ve provided a review of some of the most popular online platforms and pharmacies which provide Finasteride for hair loss in teh UK. Always ensure you consult with a healthcare professional and where possible one that offers a wide range of treatment options so that they can truly select the best treatment for your hair loss (even if that’s not Finasteride).
We understand that hair loss is a deeply personal journey. This is why we created personalised hair loss and regrowth treatments for both men and women through our online skin clinic. Our doctors create custom topical hair loss treatments using actives such as Finasteride, Minoxidil, Spironolactone and Tretinoin where appropriate for each and every patient. We also treat skin concerns like acne, hyperpigmentation, melasma and signs of skin ageing with bespoke skincare treatments. Choose your virtual consultation and begin your journey to great hair today.