In our comprehensive list, you will find all the best, trustworthy Hair Loss Drugs clinics near Mellis.

We only allow verified and accredited clinics that are registered with the appropriate governing bodies so you can TRUST the experts at ConsultingRoom.com to find your ideal clinic in Mellis.

For information on Hair Loss Drugs please Click Here to view our comprehensive treatment FAQ, or to book a consultation contact your chosen clinic from the list directly.

Harley Street skin Clinic SudburyLogo

Harley Street skin Clinic Sudbury

[26 miles from Mellis]

Since 2004, Harley Street Skin has been on speed dial to some of the world's highest flyers thanks to the expertise of cosmetic tour de force, Dr. Aamer Khan and wife Lesley Reynolds.[READ MORE]


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Ballingdon Hill, Sudbury, CO10 7LH

Elements Therapeutic RetreatLogo

Elements Therapeutic Retreat

[29 miles from Mellis]

Elements Retreat/Aesthetics has two bases in Colchester. One just off the A12, J28 and the second just 1 mile from the town centre. Both clinics have plenty of parking, easy access and are nurse...[READ MORE]


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47 Irvine Road, Colchester, CO3 3TT

Coltishall Cosmetic ClinicLogo

Coltishall Cosmetic Clinic

[30 miles from Mellis]

5 out of 5

From 19 Review(s)

Coltishall Cosmetic Clinic is a results oriented hi-tech specialist Medical Practice run by highly regarded Dr Sanjay Gheyi. It offers 23 state-of-the art lasers for excellent results. We offer gentle...[READ MORE]


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Bure House, Rectory Road, Norwich, NR12 7EP

Hardwick ClinicLogo

Hardwick Clinic

[46 miles from Mellis]

We are a bespoke, patient centred cosmetic, aesthetic medicine and weight-loss centre. Our clinic is discretely and conveniently located close to Cambridge and also Cambourne. We will discuss you...[READ MORE]


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227 St Neots Road, Hardwick, Cambridge, CB23 7QJ

Skin Sense GP ClinicLogo

Skin Sense GP Clinic

[48 miles from Mellis]

Dr Soumya Lanka MBBS, MRCGP, DRCOG, DFFP, DCH is a fully qualified GP and Aesthetic Doctor from a Surgical background. She has worked at the prestigious St Andrews burns and plastics unit at Broomfiel...[READ MORE]


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Skin Sense,, 27 Springfield Lyons Approach, Chelmsford, CM2 5LB

The Cosmetic Clinic PeterboroughLogo

The Cosmetic Clinic Peterborough

[58 miles from Mellis]

5 out of 5

From 28 Review(s)

Specialists in non-surgical aesthetic procedures ,wrinkle relaxing injections, dermal fillers, threadlifts, laser hair removal, thread veins, acne treatment, aqualyx, sculptra, microdermabrasion, ...[READ MORE]


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DHC Business Centre, 226 Dogsthorpe Road , Peterborough, PE1 3PB

Hair Loss Drugs background information

Both of the drugs that are currently medically approved treatments for hair loss were discovered by accident rather than design.

Minoxidil was first discovered in the 1970’s and taken as a tablet for high blood pressure. It was subsequently noted that some men and women who were taking this drug found that their hair was growing more quickly than previously and some patients even saw some re-growth in thinning areas of their scalp, as a side effect of treatment.

Finasteride has been used since the 1990’s as a treatment for prostate problems in men. Again, as a side effect, new hair growth was noted by some men taking the drug.

The companies that marketed these products then proceeded to set up the clinical trials necessary to be granted a medical licence for the treatment of hair loss by proving that the drugs were safe and effective.

Currently, many other drugs to treat hair loss are in development. For further information on the development of these a useful site to visit is the Regrowth website.

If you are considering using drugs to treat hair loss, the following information will give you a basic understanding of what's involved. It can't answer all your questions, since a lot depends on the individual. Please ask a qualified practitioner about anything you don't understand.

How do they work?

Minoxidil (UK brand name Regaine®)


Regaine

Minoxidil is a drug that was developed for one particular medical use, and that was as a tablet to lower blood pressure by relaxing the blood vessels.

However, a different version of minoxidil was developed for hair loss and is applied directly to the areas affected in the form of a solution. It does not have any direct affect on the patient’s hormones which are responsible for androgenetic alopecia (or male pattern baldness).

It is not clear exactly how minoxidil works, but it may be that improved blood flow to hair follicles has a part to play in its effect.

 

Finasteride (UK brand name Propecia®)


Propecia

Finasteride was originally developed for the treatment of enlarged prostates in men. This treatment is taken in tablet form and has a specific effect on an enzyme called 5 alpha-reductase which can produce high levels of DHT causing subsequent hair loss.

There are two main types of this enzyme. One is found in the oil glands of the skin and the other is found in the hair follicles, as well as in the tissues of the prostate gland. Men who have high levels of these enzymes, and particularly those in the hair follicles, are likely to develop baldness, as well as being more prone to enlargement of the prostate gland.

It was found that some men who were taking the drug for prostate problems experienced hair re-growth and the drug was then investigated specifically to discover whether it could treat baldness.

How safe are these drugs?

Both Minoxidil and Finasteride have been tested extensively and both have been used in high doses for the treatment of other conditions so a lot of safety data has been collected.

Minoxidil

Minoxidil has been used to treat hair loss since the early 1990's. Reported side effects include scalp irritation in around 6% of users, headaches, and rash. More serious but rarer risks include dizziness and lowered blood pressure.

Finasteride

Finasteride has been used in 5mg doses since the early 1980's for the treatment of prostate problems in men. Its brand name in this country is Proscar®. Its side effects are thus well known, and although only 1mg is recommended to treat hair loss (branded as Propecia®), unwanted effects can still include less desire for sex, difficulty in achieving an erection, and a decrease in the amount of semen produced. This happens in less than 2% of patients taking the drug. These side effects went away when patients stopped taking the drug. They also disappeared eventually in most men who continued taking the treatment.

In general use, the following problems have also been reported in connection with taking Finasteride: allergic reactions including rash, itching, hives and swelling of the lips and face; problems with ejaculation; breast tenderness and swelling; and testicular pain.

Finasteride can affect a blood test called PSA (Prostate-Specific Antigen) which is done for the screening of prostate cancer. Patients should tell their doctor if they are having this test done whilst taking the drug.

 

Medical evidence


Minoxidil

Minoxidil is available in a range of strengths from 2% to 5% solutions, which can be bought without a prescription from a chemist, to a 12.5% cream that is only available from a doctor on a private prescription.

Used directly on the scalp, twice a day, 2% strength Minoxidil has been shown to stimulate moderate to dense hair regrowth in 26% of male subjects who were 18-49 years old. There was a slightly higher success rate in female patients.

The response rate to the 5% strength solution is higher in both men and women, although only the 2% strength solution is currently approved for use in women.

It may take anywhere from several months to one year to see an effect, and both the 2% and 5% solutions are most effective in persons with the recent beginning of hair loss owing to androgenetic alopecia, (the medical term for male pattern baldness) and relatively small areas of hair loss.

Thus early use of Minoxidil is recommended to help prevent the spread of small areas of baldness.

It has also been found that Minoxidil is generally more effective in improving central areas of the scalp than in areas at the front of the head.

Minoxidil is sometimes combined with other products by experienced hair loss practitioners to treat this condition.

For more information on Minoxidil, we recommend that you visit the Regaine website.

Finasteride

Finasteride, which is for men only, is taken in tablet form. The manufacturer claims the following results based on a 2 year study of men who took one tablet per day:

  • 5 out of 6 men kept the amount of hair they had: i.e. they did not experience any hair loss at all over two years;
  • 2 of 3 men re-grew some hair;
  • 80% were rated as having some improvement in their hair by doctors.

 

However, there appeared to be no evidence that the drug works for receding hairlines at the temples.

Again, this treatment may take several months, or even up to a year, before you see any effect.

With both Minoxidil and Finasteride, if no effect is observed after one year, it is unlikely that they will ever work. Also, to maintain any benefit obtained, you must continue to use the product.

For more information on finasteride we recommend that you visit the Propecia website.

What sort of practitioner can perform this treatment?

You may find a wide variety of different practitioners who can give you advice on how to treat hair loss, from specialist hairdressers, through to trichologists, your general practitioner, dermatologists and specialist hair surgeons.

Please note, however, that Propecia is a prescription drug and should only be available on prescription via a doctor or a surgeon.

 

What is the average cost of Hair Loss Drugs?

Minoxidil is available from chemists in the UK without a prescription as the brand name Regaine®.

The 2% solution is £24.95/month and 5% Regaine® Extra Strength is £29.95.

Finasteride is available as the brand name Propecia® with prices from around £35 for a month's supply of 1mg tablets.

Finasteride is a prescription only medicine, and we would recommend that you do not purchase this product over the internet without first seeking the advice of a qualified Doctor.

 

Beware


Getting a prescription drug by filling out a questionnaire on the Internet without seeing a doctor poses serious health risks.

A questionnaire does not provide sufficient information for a health-care professional to determine if that drug is appropriate for you or safe to use. It may be that if another treatment is more appropriate, or if you have an underlying medical conditions where using that drug may be harmful, it will not be discovered when you use the Internet.

Summary of advice for Hair Loss Drugs

Minoxidil (UK brand name Regaine®) and Finasteride (UK brand name Propecia®) are the two drugs that are currently medically approved treatments for hair loss.

Minoxidil is available from chemists in the UK without a prescription, however Finasteride is a prescription only medicine. It is recommended to seek advice from your doctor before purchasing any of these products.

Before and after photographs of Hair Loss Drugs

Male front of hair before treatment Male front of hair after laser hair loss therapy

Male hair at front of head before (left) treatment and after (right) Laser Therapy combined with Minoxodil and Scalp Scripts haircare products.

Images above courtesy of White Cliffs Group.

All before and after photographs are actual patients, your results may differ.

Where Else Near Mellis Can I Get Hair Loss Drugs?

We often get asked "Where can I get Hair Loss Drugs near me", so we have listed local areas where Hair Loss Drugs clinics are located.