Treating Hair Loss
Hair Loss Treatments: What Actually Works, And For Whom
OVERVIEW
Hair loss can be stressful, and it can happen to anyone at any age. Over 60 years, our trichologists have found that the right treatment depends entirely on the cause: hormonal pattern hair loss responds to different treatments than stress-related shedding or a thyroid-driven cause. Below is every treatment route we use in the clinic, in plain terms, so you can see what applies to your situation before you book a consultation.
MINOXIDIL
Minoxidil (the active ingredient in Regaine / Rogaine) was originally used to treat hypertension — but it was also found to encourage hair growth on the face, body and scalp.
ANTI-ANDROGENS
Anti-androgens are prescription-only drugs, which may be taken orally or applied topically to your scalp to combat hair thinning. Examples include cyproterone acetate and spironolactone.
PHILIP KINGSLEY TOPICAL TREATMENTS
At the Philip Kingsley Clinics in London and New York, our expert Trichologists work with an in-house doctor to offer a variety of bespoke, prescription-only drops that you apply topically to your scalp.
FINASTERIDE
Finasteride (the active ingredient in Propecia) was originally used to treat benign prostate enlargement. But it was also shown to reduce hair loss in some patients, and even to help a proportion of users regrow some hair.
CONTRACEPTIVE PILLS
Hair thinning is caused by a genetic condition, inherited from either parent, in which your hair follicles are sensitive to androgens (male hormones).
HORMONE REPLACEMENT THERAPY
Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) restores your body’s oestrogen to an average pre-menopausal level. This treatment relieves menopausal symptoms, including hot flashes, mood swings, osteoporosis and decreased libido.
HAIR TRANSPLANTS
Hair transplants (also known as hair restoration surgery) can be very effective when they are carried out correctly. But how do they work? What does the process involve? And are you an eligible candidate?
SCALP MICROPIGMENTATION
Scalp micropigmentation is a type of precise medical tattooing. Practitioners use special pigments and follicle-sized needles to create the illusion of hair density on your scalp.
PHILIP KINGSLEY TRICHOTHERAPY
It is always a good idea to visit a Trichologist if you are experiencing any form of hair loss, so that we may diagnose it correctly and help you identify the cause.
OTHER TREATMENT ROUTES
Contraceptive pills, hormone replacement therapy, hair transplants, scalp micropigmentation and Philip Kingsley Trichotherapy each address hair loss through a different mechanism, hormonal, surgical or cosmetic, and suit different causes and levels of hair loss. See the linked articles below for the detail on each.
FAQs
There isn't a single best treatment, it depends on the cause. Minoxidil and finasteride are the most evidence-backed options for pattern hair loss, while hormonal, nutritional or stress-related shedding often responds better to addressing the underlying cause directly.
Most people need 4 to 6 months of consistent use before seeing a visible difference, and results only continue for as long as treatment is maintained.
Minoxidil is widely used by women for pattern hair loss. Finasteride is generally not recommended for women who are or could become pregnant; a trichologist consultation can confirm what's appropriate for your situation.
It depends on the extent and pattern of loss and whether medical treatment has been tried first. Many clients use minoxidil or finasteride to stabilise loss before or after a transplant, rather than as alternatives to each other.