Hair Loss Treatment for Women in the UK

Most women notice it first as a widening parting or more hair in the brush than usual, whether in their twenties or the years around menopause. Caught early and with the right treatment, hair loss can usually be slowed and often partly reversed, with the first change typically showing within three to six months. Hormones, genetics and stress all play a part, usually in combination. That is why our topical hair loss treatment for women is formulated for each patient rather than picked off a shelf or from a set menu. From your first consultation onwards, the same doctor looks after you and ensures your plan evolves with your needs.

Step 1
Choose a form or video consultation with your doctor

Step 2
Custom topical serum matched to your pattern and scalp tolerance.

Step 3
Review every 3 months and adjust actives if needed.

What Causes Hair Loss in Women

There are various causes of hair loss in women with key factors including hormonal changes, genetics, stress, nutritional deficiencies and medical conditions. Androgenetic alopecia (female pattern baldness) is the most common type of hair loss in women. This manifests as diffuse thinning over the crown and top of the scalp. There are also other causes including telogen effluvium, alopecia areata and traction alopecia. We mainly treat pattern hair loss as well as some cases of traction alopecia and telogen effluvium in women.

Hormonal Hair Loss in Women

Hormonal changes are very common contributors to hair thinning in women. These then lead to increased androgen activity at the follicle which disrupts the hair growth cycle. Identifying the cause of thinning is essential before selecting the most appropriate treatment. The most frequent drivers of hormonal hair loss in women include:

• Conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) which can raise androgen levels
• Declining oestrogen levels and hormonal shifts during menopause and postpartum
• Elevated androgen sensitivity or activity in premenopausal women

Two life stages deserve a special mention. Around menopause, falling oestrogen shifts the balance towards androgens, and thinning over the crown and parting often becomes more noticeable. Luckily, treatment works the same way at any age, and your doctor will factor your stage and any HRT you’re taking into your formula. After pregnancy, heavy shedding in the first few months is usually telogen effluvium and tends to settle on its own, though treatment can help if it persists or unmasks pattern thinning. Please note that we cannot prescribe hair loss treatment during pregnancy or while breastfeeding, so treatment can only start once both are finished.

Female Pattern Hair Loss vs Telogen Effluvium

Female pattern hair loss is the most common presentation of androgenetic alopecia in women. It typically presents as gradual thinning over the crown with widening of the parting. Some women can instead develop male pattern hair loss which presents as thinning of hair on the temples and hair line first. Both forms of pattern hair loss do not improve by themselves and progressively get worse with time. Telogen effluvium is usually a temporary condition which causes sudden excessive hair shedding following stress, illness, hormonal shifts or pregnancy. Distinguishing between these patterns is important because treatment approaches differ. Female pattern hair loss also usually requires long-term follicle support whilst telogen effluvium can improve by itself once the trigger resolves.

How Hair Loss Treatment Works in Women

Hair loss treatment in women focuses on stimulating active growth, reducing follicle miniaturisation and supporting scalp health. The most effective approach depends on the underlying cause of thinning and overall health. Depending on suitability, effective treatment may include:

• Follicle stimulation: Minoxidil and Caffeine can increase blood flow to follicles and prolong the growth phase.
• Hormone blocking: In premenopausal and postmenopausal women, Spironolactone can help reduce androgen influence on hair follicles. DHT inhibition using Finasteride or Dutasteride may be considered for some postmenopausal women where appropriate.
• Supportive ingredients: Tretinoin or azelaic acid improve penetration of active ingredients. Melatonin may help protect follicles from oxidative damage and steroids may reduce scalp irritation and improve tolerability.

Your doctor designs your treatment using one active or several together depending on what your hair needs, and a specialist pharmacy compounds your serum from scratch. When each course finishes, the same doctor reviews your progress and adjusts your formula if anything needs changing.

Online Personalised Hair Loss Treatments for Women

No two women are the same and so the best hair loss treatment may differ from person to person. This is why we offer a fully personalised approach to hair loss treatment for pre and postmenopausal women in the UK. Our custom-made prescription strength hair serums address the main cause of hair loss in women. Here’s how we can help treat your specific hair loss needs:

• Detailed Online Consultation Your Way: We always start with an in-depth video or form consultation (whatever you prefer) with a dedicated doctor. They can then understand your hair loss concerns, medical history and treatment goals. Your doctor will then design a customised treatment tailored to your needs.
• Personalised Treatments Using Advanced Ingredients: Our hair loss serums contain science-backed ingredients which work together to reduce hair loss and promote regrowth. Your serum will be easy to use and add into your daily routine.
• Ongoing Support: Your doctor will provide you with continuous support, follow-up to monitor your progress and adjust your treatment plan as needed. You can also connect with them by email at any time throughout your treatment.

Ingredients Used in Our Hair Loss Treatments

We always design a personalised hair loss treatment for each and every one of our patients. This may change at the end of each 3-month course to adjust to your hair’s response. These are the ingredients we may use in our topical hair loss treatment for women serums if appropriate:

• Minoxidil: Stimulates hair follicles and promotes regrowth. Topical minoxidil remains the best-evidenced first-line treatment for female pattern hair loss. It responds better still when the formula around it suits your scalp and hair loss pattern.
• Spironolactone: Reduces androgen levels in both premenopausal and postmenopausal women.
• Finasteride: Inhibits type II 5-alpha reductase to reduce DHT levels and prevents further hair loss (postmenopausal women only).
• Dutasteride: Suppresses both type I and type II 5-alpha reductase for more potent DHT reduction. So it is effective for severe hair loss where Finasteride has failed (postmenopausal women only).
• Caffeine: Stimulates hair follicles and increases blood delivery to the scalp.
• Melatonin: Regulates hair growth cycles and protects hair follicles from oxidative stress to increase hair growth.
• Tretinoin: This retinoid can help increase absorption of Minoxidil and also prolongs its activity.
• Hydrocortisone: Treats scalp irritation caused by higher strengths of Minoxidil and other ingredients.

We design our personalised hair loss serums based on each patient’s needs. In some patients, this may be achieved by using just Minoxidil. However, at other times we may need to primarily focus on reducing DHT levels and stimulating hair follicles. So for example, in some premenopausal women, this may be achieved using a combination of Minoxidil and Spironolactone. Minoxidil works by widening the blood vessels in the scalp, increasing blood flow to hair follicles. This then delivers more oxygen and nutrients to the follicles, stimulating hair growth and strengthening existing hair. Spironolactone helps reduce androgen levels, further preventing hair thinning. On the other hand, for a postmenopausal woman, we might use Minoxidil combined with Finasteride or Dutasteride. Here, the Finasteride or Dutasteride aims to prevent hair follicle shrinkage. These two actives are never used before menopause.

There is no subscription and no auto-renewal. Each course is a single order you place yourself.

How Long it Takes to See Results & Maintenance

Patience and consistency are key to success. As a general rule, the first 1-3 months are when the treatment is activating the hair follicles so you won’t see much. In fact, you might actually experience more hair shedding during this period. Most women begin to see noticeable improvements in hair growth within the first 3-6 months of starting treatment. After that there should be gradual gains though the rate varies. However, individual results and time it takes to see them vary.

Hair growth journey

Reset phase
0 to 3 months

Stabilisation
3 to 6 months

Regrowth
6 to 12 months

You will need to continue using the treatment as directed by your doctor to maintain your results. This is not a temporary treatment nor a cure for hair loss. Stopping the use of these treatments usually leads to a gradual return of hair loss. It’s a good idea to check in regularly with your doctor so they can monitor your progress and adjust the treatment plan as needed to ensure optimal results.

Why We Focus on Topical Treatment for Women

Many women prefer a targeted approach to hair loss treatment that is sustainable long-term. We focus on personalised topical formulations because they:

• Allow direct delivery of active ingredients to the scalp
• Permit greater customisation in terms of strengths and ingredient combinations
• Reduce unnecessary systemic exposure compared with oral medication

For many women, a topical approach to hair loss treatment can provide a balance between effectiveness and safety.

Start Your Consultation

Tell us about your hair, your health and your goals, and the same doctor will look after you from your first consultation and throughout every course.

Why Choose Personalised Hair Loss Treatments at City Skin Clinic

From start to finish we offer choice in terms of consultation types, treatments and how you have your follow ups. So the same doctor will take care of you throughout your treatment and you can connect with them at any time by email. Here are some of the reasons our patients choose us:

Video or Form Consultations: We have never believed in a one-size-fits-all approach. That’s why you can choose to start with either a detailed online form consultation or in-depth video consultation with one of our doctors. Which one you choose is entirely up to you.

Personalised Hair Loss Treatments: Your doctor will review your history, analyse your hair loss and consider your goals to design your custom serum.

Dedicated Aftercare: Once you get your treatment your doctor will provide ongoing monitoring. You will be able to directly email your doctor at any point for further advice and progress monitoring. Your doctor reviews your progress at the end of each course and adjusts your next formula accordingly.

Convenience: Your consultation, prescription and delivery all happen online. Your doctor is only a message away whenever your treatment plan needs adjusting. All treatments are delivered straight to your door.