Hair loss & its symptoms
Hair loss – in the form of male pattern baldness – is a genetic condition. It affects around half of all men over 50, but some as early as their 20s. The main symptom of male pattern baldness is thinning hair at the sides and the top of the head. However, effective treatments are available that will slow hair loss and, in some cases, stimulate hair regrowth.
How to treat hair loss
While there isn’t a cure for loss of hair caused by male pattern baldness, there are effective prescription treatments available to slow loss and stimulate regrowth. These work by blocking DHT, stopping the hormone from attacking hair follicles.
Treatment comes as a daily tablet and it will take 3-6 months of constant use before you see an effect. This is because of the hair growth cycles in your follicles. As soon as you stop taking the treatment, hair loss will resume.
This treatment is only suitable for men.
Treatment
You can order Finasteride or Propecia. These treatments can only be prescribed to men.
Propecia / Finasteride Risk Assessment
What is Finasteride used for?
How long does Finasteride take to work? Take 1 tablet of Finasteride each day. Can be taken with or without food. You must continue to take Finasteride for the treatment to work.
How does Finasteride work?
The active ingredient in Finasteride (finasteride) blocks the action of an enzyme that converts the male hormone testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT). DHT is the hormone that causes male hair loss.
By reducing the amount of DHT affecting follicles in the scalp, Finasteride helps to halt hair loss and, in some cases, reverse it.
Finasteride only stimulates hair growth on the head and will not cause hair to grow elsewhere on the body.
How effective is Finasteride?
For most men, Finasteride takes 3-6 months of daily use to show effects. The active ingredient (finasteride) has been shown to be effective in preventing hair loss in men in 9 out of 10 cases. In some cases, men experience hair regrowth.
If you stop taking Finasteride, your hair loss will return. Finasteride is most effective in men with mild to moderate hair loss on the top of their head caused by male pattern baldness. There is little evidence that it is effective in reversing a receding hairline.
Finasteride will not work faster or better if you take more that 1 tablet a day.
How long does it take to see the results of Finasteride?
Results won’t be instant. Generally you will need to take Finasteride daily for 3-6 months before you start to see any change in your hair loss. You should continue taking Finasteride for at least a year to confirm whether it is effective for you.
How long should I take Finasteride for?
You will need to continue with your treatment for as long as you would like to slow your hair loss. Once you stop taking Finasteride you hair loss will continue.
What happens if you stop taking Finasteride?
Even if you experience extremely positive results, with a slowing of hair loss and even hair regrowth, you must continue to take Finasteride to maintain the effect.
Finasteride side effects
Side effects of Finasteride are uncommon and usually mild.
Sometimes Finasteride can cause a rash, reduced sex drive, low mood, erection problems or tenderness on or around the nipples. Very rarely, sexual side effects can be permanent and remain after stopping the medication.
For full information on side effects and correct use, see the patient information leaflet. If any side effects concern you, contact us via your Patient Record.
Important information about Finasteride
If you forget to take Finasteride, take the next dose as soon as you remember. Do not take more than 1 tablet in 24 hours. Do not take a double dose to make up for the forgotten tablet.
Safety: taking other medicines with Finasteride
You should be able to take Finasteride alongside other medicines. However, it is important that you let us know which prescription, over-the-counter medicines and recreational drugs you are taking so that we can prescribe Finasteride safely.
Alternative hair loss treatments
We also offer Propecia in our hair loss clinic. However, this contains the same dose of the same active ingredient (finasteride) as generic Finasteride. This means they work in the same way.
We also offer hair transplantation, contact Vanité Clinic for more information
Propecia / Finasteride Risk Assessment
What is Propecia?
Propecia (branded Finasteride): An effective branded treatment for hair loss caused by male pattern baldness that’s taken as a daily tablet. It works for 9 in 10 men when taken regularly, halting hair loss and in some cases stimulating regrowth.
Finasteride has the same active ingredient as Propecia, and is a generic equivalent treatment.
How to take Propecia
Take 1 tablet of Propecia each day. Can be taken with or without food. You must continue to take Propecia for the treatment to work.
What are the side effects of Propecia?
Side effects of Propecia are uncommon and usually mild. Sometimes Propecia can cause a rash, reduced sex drive, low mood, erection problems or tenderness on or around the nipples. Very rarely, sexual side effects can be permanent and remain after stopping the medication.
For full information on side effects and correct use, see the patient information leaflet. If any side effects concern you, contact us via your Patient Record.
How effective is Propecia
For most men, Propecia takes 3-6 months of daily use to show effects. The active ingredient (finasteride) has been shown to be effective in preventing hair loss in men in 90% of cases. In some cases, men experience hair regrowth.
If you stop taking Propecia, your hair loss will return. Propecia is most effective in men with mild to moderate hair loss on the top of their head caused by male pattern baldness. There is little evidence that it is effective in reversing a receding hairline.
Propecia will not work faster or better if you take more that 1 tablet a day.
Important information about Propecia
If you forget to take Propecia, take the next dose as soon as you remember. Do not take more than 1 tablet in 24 hours. Do not take a double dose to make up for the forgotten tablet.
How does Propecia work?
The active ingredient in Propecia (finasteride) blocks the action of an enzyme that converts the male hormone testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT). DHT is the hormone that causes male hair loss.
By reducing the amount of DHT affecting follicles in the scalp, Propecia helps to halt hair loss and, in some cases, reverse it.
Propecia only stimulates hair growth on the head and will not cause hair to grow elsewhere on the body.
Propecia drug interactions
You should be able to take Propecia alongside other medicines. However, it is important that you let us know which prescription, over-the-counter medicines and recreational drugs you are taking so that we can prescribe Propecia safely.
Alternative hair loss treatments
We also offer the cost-effective Finasteride in our hair loss clinic. This contains the same dose of the same active ingredient (finasteride) as branded Propecia. This means they work in the same way.
We also offer hair transplantation, contact Vanité Clinic for more information
