In the last few years, online hair loss services have grown rapidly in the UK. This has sometimes controversially made treatments like finasteride and minoxidil more accessible than ever. Whilst increasing patient access is good overall, there are some concerns regarding inappropriate prescribing and inadequate counselling or monitoring of side effects. However, with thorough consultations and oversight, online hair loss treatment service can address a critical problem that affects nearly half of all adults in the UK. In this article, we review the 10 most popular online clinics where you can get hair loss treatments in the UK.
How to Get Hair Loss Treatments in Person in the UK
Before online prescribing became widespread, hair loss treatment in the UK was largely through brick-and-mortar private dermatology and specialist hair loss clinics. These physical clinics aren’t going anywhere. They remain clinically valuable particularly for patients with complex or unusual hair loss. This is because they allow for physical scalp examination, dermoscopy, blood tests and if necessary a biopsy. In-person care is especially important where there may be scarring alopecia, inflammatory or autoimmune disease. Specialist hair loss clinics may also provide professional hair loss treatments like microneedling, PRP or even hair transplants.
Where to Get Hair Loss Treatments Online in the UK
Online hair loss clinics are obviously much more convenient and usually less expensive than in-person services. Their main value is in treating common simple hair loss conditions like androgenetic alopecia (male or female pattern hair loss). However, it is really important to stress that online hair loss clinics must provide the same level of detail and clinical support as physical clinics. They are not an online shop where anyone can buy any prescription hair loss treatment they want. This is both dangerous and illegal. In the UK, online hair loss clinics must provide a thorough medical review by a clinician, only provide appropriate treatment and offer counselling of risks as well as monitoring. In this post we review the 10 most popular services where you can get hair loss treatments online in the UK.
#1 City Skin Clinic
City Skin Clinic provides custom topical hair loss treatments for both men and women. All consultations are with UK registered doctors. Patients can choose between an online form or video consultation depending on their preference. A treatment plan is then designed for each patient by their doctor to meet their needs. Custom topical treatments may include finasteride, dutasteride, minoxidil, spironolactone, melatonin, tretinoin and other supportive ingredients where appropriate. The ingredients in the formula and the base serum is tailored to each individual. Patients also remain under the care of the same doctor across their entire treatment journey. This allows for monitoring of side effects and adjustment of the treatment protocol based on response. Treatments are delivered directly to patients and each custom formula usually lasts 3 months. This is not a subscription service so patients re-order their treatment as and when they need.
#2 Hims UK
Hims offers hair loss treatments for men through their online platform in the UK. Consultations are done through an online form which is then reviewed by a UK-registered prescriber. Their hair loss treatments include oral finasteride and topical sprays or serums containing minoxidil and finasteride depending on suitability. The service is easy to use and operates on a subscription basis and treatments are delivered directly to patients. They also offer unlimited follow-up by their care team.
#3 Boots Online Doctor
Boots Online Doctor provides access to prescription treatments in the form of oral finasteride (generic or Propecia) and topical minoxidil (Regaine) for male pattern hair loss. You will need to complete an online consultation form which one of their clinicians assesses and if appropriate will prescribe the treatment. Medication can be delivered to your home or collected in-store at a Boots of your choice.
#4 LloydsPharmacy Online Doctor
LloydsPharmacy Online Doctor provides a hair loss service similar to Boots for men with male pattern baldness. They can provide either generic or Propecia oral finasteride with or without topical minoxidil to suitable patients after an online form consultation. Their prescribers will review your form and if approved they provide delivery or collection from a shop.
#5 Superdrug Online Doctor
Superdrug Online Doctor provides prescription hair loss treatments for men only in the form of oral finasteride (generic or propecia). They also offer supplements, caffeine shampoo and Regaine for both men and women with pattern hair loss. Treatment is only provided following an online medical questionnaire which their clinicians review. You can get it delivered or opt for in-store collection. As with Boots and Lloyds, this is primarily an oral finasteride treatment service for men with androgenetic alopecia.
#6 Numan
Numan is a men’s health platform offering oral finasteride and topical minoxidil to suitable patients with male pattern hair loss. After filling in an online consultation form, their clinicians will assess which treatment is best for you. They also offer a one-off phone consult with a doctor for an extra fee. You can access your treatment through a subscription plan. Treatments are then delivered directly to patients with ongoing support provided by their clinical care team.
#7 Manual
Manual also offer a subscription hair loss treatment service for men. Like Hims and Numan, treatment options are oral finasteride and topical minoxidil for appropriate patients following an online form consultation which their clinicians review. Treatments are delivered directly to patients with ongoing support through their online platform.
#8 Zava
Zava is a large telehealth platform that provides hair loss treatments for men. To access their service you will need to complete an online form consultation which one of their doctors will review. If appropriate, they can provide oral finasteride (generic or propecia) or oral dutasteride. This is not a subscription service. They also deliver treatments directly to patients.
#9 Sons
Sons is another online hair loss treatment service for men with male pattern hair loss. Treatment options are oral finasteride, topical minoxidil or a combination spray that contains minoxidil and finasteride. Consultation consists of review of an assessment form you complete online as well as your NHS Summary Care Record by their clinicians. Treatments are then delivered to patients with ongoing clinical support through their platform.
#10 Hair & Me
Hair & Me is the sister company to Skin & Me. It offers oral and topical prescription hair loss treatments for both men and women. Where appropriate treatment may include oral minoxidil, finasteride and dutasteride or custom topical serums containing minoxidil, finasteride and melatonin alongside supporting ingredients. This is another subscription service and to access treatment you will need to complete an online consultation form which their clinicians review. If deemed appropriate their prescribers will issue your treatment which they will deliver to your home. Ongoing support is available through their online platform.
| Provider | Consultation | Treatments | Subscription | Suitable For | Key Limitations |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| City Skin Clinic | Choice of online form or video consultation with UK-registered doctor. | Custom topical formulas containing finasteride, dutasteride, minoxidil, spironolactone, melatonin and tretinoin as appropriate. | No | Men and women wanting highly personalised treatments and monitoring with same doctor. | Does not provide oral treatments. |
| Hims | Online medical form reviewed by clinician. | Oral finasteride, topical finasteride and minoxidil. | Yes | Men looking for convenient and low-maintenance subscription treatment plans. | Does not treat women. Limited treatment options. |
| Boots Online Doctor | Online medical form reviewed by clinician. | Oral finasteride, topical minoxidil. | No | Men looking for rapid and cost effective access. | Does not treat women. Limited treatment options. Fixed treatment options. |
| LloydsPharmacy Online Doctor | Online medical form reviewed by clinician. | Oral finasteride, topical minoxidil. | No | Men looking for rapid and cost effective access. | Does not treat women. Limited treatment options. Limited treatment options. |
| Superdrug Online Doctor | Online medical form reviewed by clinician. | Oral finasteride, supplements, topical minoxidil. | No | Men looking for rapid and cost effective access. | Does not treat women. Limited treatment options. Limited treatment options. |
| Numan | Online medical form reviewed by clinician or one-off call with doctor. | Oral finasteride, topical minoxidil. | Yes | Men looking for convenient and straight forward subscription treatment plans. | Does not treat women. Limited treatment options. Limited treatment options. |
| Manual | Online medical form reviewed by clinician. | Oral finasteride, topical minoxidil. | Yes | Men looking for convenient and low-maintenance subscription treatment plans. | Does not treat women. Limited treatment options. Limited treatment options. |
| Zava | Online medical form reviewed by doctor. | Oral finasteride or dutasteride. | No | Men needing oral DHT blockers. | Does not treat women. Limited treatment options. No topical treatments. |
| Sons | Online assessment reviewed by clinician + NHS Summary Care Record. | Oral finasteride, topical minoxidil or combo spray. | Yes | Men looking for a subscription treatment plan but who want the option to speak to a doctor. | Does not treat women. Limited treatment options. |
| Hair & Me | Online medical form reviewed by clinician. | Oral or topical treatments containing finasteride, dutasteride, minoxidil and supportive ingredients as appropriate. | Yes | Men and women wanting oral or custom topical treatments. | Limited consultation and topical ingredient options. |
Online hair loss clinics in the UK broadly fall into three groups. The majority tend to be subscription platforms offering fixed treatment options or pharmacy services only providing oral finasteride. These options are especially good for people with simple androgenetic hair loss or those already using the same treatment but want to switch providers for cost or convenience. There’s also a third type of online clinic that offer highly personalised treatments with a lot of options. An even smaller subset of online teleheath clinics also provide phone call or video consultation options for those that want it. Regardless, the majority of providers offer some form of ongoing care. The most appropriate option for you depends on your type of hair loss and what kind of support your require before and after starting your treatment journey.
Online hair loss treatment services are extremely useful and most appropriate if you’re dealing with common non scarring forms of hair loss. If however, there is an underlying cause like autoimmune disease or scalp issues then in person review is necessary for proper diagnosis and management. Even for straightforward cases of androgenetic hair, it is important to find an online clinic that offers a thorough medical assessment by UK licensed clinicians. Providers should also provide appropriate counselling regarding possible results and side effects especially for treatments like finasteride. Just as important as the consultation is aftercare. Ensure that the online service you select will provide ongoing monitoring and easy access to a clinician in case of any problems.
We believe in a personalised approach to hair care which is why we offer custom topical hair loss and growth treatments for men and women through our online skin clinic. Our doctors provide hair growth treatments which may include actives such as Minoxidil, Finasteride, Dutasteride, Spironolactone, Melatonin, Caffeine and Tretinoin where appropriate for each and every patient. Start your virtual consultation and begin your journey 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 qualified medical provider for any medical concerns or questions you might have.
