Noticing your hair thinning can be difficult to come to terms with, but effective, clinically proven treatment is available. At Putney Pharmacy, our Hair Loss Service provides a confidential consultation and, where appropriate, a private prescription for finasteride to help slow further hair loss and support regrowth in male pattern baldness.
Male pattern hair loss, also known as androgenetic alopecia, is the most common cause of hair thinning in men and is largely driven by genetics and the hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Over time, DHT causes hair follicles to shrink, producing progressively finer hair until follicles eventually stop producing hair altogether. It typically starts with a receding hairline or thinning at the crown and tends to progress gradually over months and years, though the rate and pattern can vary considerably between individuals.
Finasteride works by reducing the amount of DHT in the body, which helps slow down or stop further hair loss and, for many men, supports some regrowth over time. It is taken as a tablet, usually once daily, and results are not immediate, most men need to take it consistently for several months before noticing a visible difference. Stopping treatment generally causes any benefit to reverse over the following months, so finasteride is typically taken as an ongoing course rather than a one-off treatment. During your consultation, our pharmacist will explain how and when to take your course and what to expect over the following weeks.
Your consultation is confidential and unhurried. The pharmacist will ask about the pattern and duration of your hair loss, your general health, any medicines you currently take, and whether hair loss runs in your family. They will explain how finasteride works, realistic timeframes for seeing results, and the possible side effects, so you can make an informed choice about whether to proceed. If finasteride is not suitable for you, the pharmacist will explain why and can point you towards other appropriate options.
| Service | Price | Course Length |
|---|---|---|
| Hair Loss Consultation and Finasteride Prescription | £60 | 3 month course |
Finasteride is licensed for use in adult men only. Our pharmacist will carry out a confidential clinical assessment covering your medical history and current medicines to check whether it is a suitable option for you.
| Consideration | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Not suitable for women | Finasteride is not licensed for women and can harm a developing baby if handled by, or taken during, pregnancy. |
| Liver conditions | May affect how finasteride is processed by the body. |
| Sexual side effects | A small number of men experience changes in libido or sexual function, which the pharmacist will discuss with you. |
| Blood donation | You should not donate blood while taking finasteride and for a period afterwards. |
Consistency is the biggest factor in how well finasteride works, so taking it at the same time each day can help you build it into your routine. Maintaining a generally healthy lifestyle, including a balanced diet and managing stress, will not reverse hair loss on its own but supports overall hair and scalp health alongside treatment. It is worth taking photos every few months so you and the pharmacist can track progress over time, since day-to-day changes are often too gradual to notice otherwise. You can read more about finasteride and how it is used on the NHS medicines information page, and more on the underlying condition on the NHS hair loss information page.
| Included | Details |
|---|---|
| Confidential consultation | One-to-one clinical assessment of your suitability for treatment |
| Private prescription | Issued where finasteride is clinically appropriate for you |
| 3 month supply | Enough treatment to reach the point where early results typically begin to show |
Starting treatment for hair loss can feel like a big step, and our pharmacist is here to make the process straightforward and discreet. From your initial consultation through to ongoing supply, we will check in on how you are getting on and answer any questions along the way, without the need for a lengthy GP appointment.
Take the first step towards managing your hair loss. Book your confidential Hair Loss Service consultation below.
