Most hair loss needs no treatment, and no treatment is 100% effective, according to the NHS. If you do want to treat it, the main options are medicines, light treatment, cosmetic camouflage and, for some people, a wig. Which suits you depends on the cause, so start with a GP or pharmacist.
The main options
| Option | What the NHS says |
|---|---|
| Finasteride and minoxidil | The main treatments for male pattern baldness. Neither works for everyone, they only work while you keep using them, and not all are available on the NHS, so they can be costly. |
| Minoxidil for women | Can treat female pattern baldness. Women should not use finasteride. |
| Steroid injections or creams, immunotherapy | Used for some other types of hair loss. Some may not be available on the NHS. |
| Light treatment | Listed among the options. Ask a clinician about the evidence for your situation. |
| Micropigmentation | Permanent make-up on the scalp. A cosmetic option, not a regrowth treatment. |
| Wigs | Some are available on the NHS, though you may have to pay unless you qualify for help. Synthetic wigs last roughly 6 to 9 months and real-hair wigs 3 to 4 years. |
Why to speak to a professional first
Hair loss has treatable medical causes, such as iron deficiency, and some treatments carry real risks. Finasteride in particular is a prescription medicine with safety warnings, covered in finasteride and minoxidil explained. We do not give dosing guidance. A GP, pharmacist or dermatologist can tell you what is appropriate for you and how to monitor it.
Avoid buying prescription-only medicines from sellers who do not ask about your health or require a prescription. A legitimate prescriber will ask about your medical history, including mental health.
Setting realistic expectations
- Results take months, not weeks, and not everyone responds.
- Benefits usually fade if you stop treatment.
- Be sceptical of any product that promises fast regrowth or guaranteed results.
- Shampoos, supplements and gadgets are not a substitute for finding out why you are losing hair.
If you are thinking about surgery later
Cosmetic options that do not treat the cause
Some approaches change how hair looks without changing how it grows. Hair fibres and sprays add colour or bulk to thinning hair. Scalp micropigmentation tattoos tiny dots on the scalp to imitate short hair or add density, and it is permanent make-up rather than a regrowth treatment. Wigs and hairpieces suit people who want a full head of hair straight away or who lose hair for medical reasons.
- Check the practitioner holds any licence or registration your local council requires and ask to see healed results, as with any tattoo.
- Patch-test any dye, fibre or glue before regular use.
- Ask whether a product could irritate a scalp condition you already have.
- Keep a record of what you use, so a clinician can understand your scalp.
Choosing a cosmetic route is a legitimate decision. It is also reversible in a way that surgery is not, which can make it a reasonable first step while you get a diagnosis.
What to tell a pharmacist or GP
Bring a list of everything you use, including supplements and shampoos, and every medicine you take. Tell them about any history of low mood, and about pregnancy or plans to become pregnant, as these can change what is appropriate. A pharmacist can also tell you what is sold over the counter and what needs a prescription, and whether a product is suitable alongside your other medicines.
Take photos before you start any treatment, and review them with your clinician after several months rather than judging week to week. That gives an honest record of whether anything is changing, and a basis for deciding to continue or stop.
Cost and time
The NHS warns that some treatments are not available on the NHS and may be costly, and that they only work while you keep using them. That means the real price is a running cost, not a one-off. Before starting, work out what you would be spending over a year, and ask yourself if you would continue with only modest results. If you have a diagnosis, a GP can tell you if the treatment fits the cause, and a pharmacist can explain how it interacts with other products you use. It is reasonable to set a review date with a clinician, and to stop if the treatment is not helping or is causing side effects.
Tell any clinic what you are using, because treatments can affect planning. Surgery moves existing hair, and the hair you keep matters. The NHS notes that transplants may not be available on the NHS, and recommends seeing a GP before considering a commercial clinic. For how patterns are graded, read types of hair loss and the Norwood scale, and for the surgical route see hair transplants in Turkey and FUE vs DHI.
Frequently asked questions
What are the main non-surgical options?
The NHS lists finasteride, minoxidil, steroid treatments, light treatment, micropigmentation and wigs, depending on the cause.
Are these treatments available on the NHS?
Not all. The NHS says some options may not be available, so ask your GP what is offered and what you would pay for.
Do results last if I stop?
Usually not. The NHS says finasteride and minoxidil only work while you keep using them.
Should I buy prescription medicines online?
Avoid sellers who skip a health consultation. A legitimate prescriber asks about your medical history.