Hair Loss

Male pattern baldness progresses through three main stages according to the Norwood Scale:

Early Stage (Norwood 1-2)

• Mild recession at the temples forming an "M" shape
• Subtle thinning at the crown area
• Hair begins to feel finer in affected zones

Moderate Stage (Norwood 3-4)

• More pronounced temple recession
• Visible bald spot developing at the crown
• Thinning becomes noticeable around the part line

Advanced Stage (Norwood 5-7)

• Significant hair loss with only side hair remaining
• Large bald areas merging between front and crown
• Possible complete recession to mid or back of scalp

Female hair loss follows the Ludwig Scale with these characteristic stages:

Minimal Thinning (Ludwig I)

• Slight widening of the centre part
• Reduced volume most noticeable when styling
• No significant frontal hairline changes

Moderate Thinning (Ludwig II)

• Clearly visible scalp through thinning hair
• Noticeable decrease in ponytail thickness
• Possible mild temple recession

Severe Thinning (Ludwig III)

• Extensive thinning across the entire scalp
• Very sparse hair coverage with visible scalp
• Frontal hairline typically remains intact

Hair loss treatments are available through:

• Online pharmacies like Chemist Doctor (offering both OTC products and prescription medications after consultation)
• Private dermatologists or hair specialists
• GP prescriptions (though NHS typically doesn't cover androgenetic alopecia treatments)

Our online consultation takes about 5 minutes, with same-day dispatch for approved prescriptions.

Available treatments include:

• Topical solutions: Minoxidil (foam or liquid), medicated shampoos
• Oral medications: Finasteride (for men), Dutasteride
• Combination therapies: Using multiple treatments together for enhanced results
• Surgical options: Hair transplants (after medical therapy evaluation)
• Non-surgical solutions: High-quality hair systems for advanced cases

Suitability depends on several factors:

• Finasteride: Typically for men over 18 with male pattern baldness and no liver conditions
• Minoxidil: Suitable for both men and women with early to moderate hair loss
• All candidates require medical assessment to ensure safety and appropriateness

Treatment timelines vary but generally:

• Initial shedding may occur in the first 4-8 weeks (a positive sign)
• Visible improvements typically appear after 6 months
• Full results may take 12-18 months of consistent use
• Continued treatment is necessary to maintain results

Medication first approach is recommended because:

• Drugs can stabilise hair loss and sometimes regrow hair without surgery
• They address the underlying cause of pattern baldness
• Medications are less invasive and more affordable than surgery
• 12-18 months of medical therapy helps assess your response
• Good medical control improves potential transplant results

Advanced solutions include:

• Modern hair systems: High-quality, natural-looking wigs using medical-grade materials
• Specialist clinics: Offering custom colour/texture matching and professional fitting
• Partial coverage options: For those with specific pattern hair loss
• These provide immediate results without surgical recovery time