Medication
Finasteride
Finasteride is licensed for the treatment of male pattern hair loss with the recommended dose being 1mg once per day. It is a 5 alpha-reductase inhibitor and blocks the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT) which causes miniaturisation of the hair follicle seen in male pattern hair loss. It has been proven to be very effective in the majority of men and can provide quite dramatic results alone or in conjunction with hair restoration surgery. As with any medication there are potential side effects to be aware of before starting finasteride. These will be discussed at your consultation with Mr D’Souza.
N.B. Finasteride is not licensed for use in women
Minoxidil (topical)
Topical Minoxidil comes in 2% and 5% formulations and is commonly known as Regaine or Rogaine. The exact mechanism of action is still not fully understood, however it is thought to increase the blood supply to the scalp and prolong the growth phase of the follicle. It can be applied as a liquid or a foam and the recommended dose is a capful massaged on the scalp twice per day. We tend to recommend the 5% foam once per day as it is usually better tolerated and easier to adhere to than the twice per day regime. As with any medication there are potential side effects to be aware of before starting minoxidil. These will be discussed at your consultation with Mr D’Souza.
Is medication suitable for me? / How do I book treatment?
We find that a patients overall experience and final results are much better when their surgeon is involved from the beginning. From the initial diagnosis through to treatment and follow-up.
We would like to invite you to arrange a 20 minute consultation call with Mr D’Souza, our surgeon and Medical Director.
During the call we will discuss your symptoms, lifestyle, medical history and which treatment is best suited for you.
If we are confident we can treat your hair loss a more in-depth consultation can then be arranged at our Harley Street Clinic before committing to a treatment plan.