Evidence-led hair loss care
Hair restoration is rarely one treatment or one appointment. We combine medical diagnosis, proven prescription options and carefully selected in-clinic adjuncts—then measure what is actually changing.
Before treatment
Pattern hair loss is common, but shedding can also reflect iron deficiency, thyroid disease, medication, illness, hormonal change, inflammation or scarring alopecia.
We begin with history, scalp examination, medication and health screening, and baseline photography. Blood tests or specialist referral may be recommended when the pattern is unclear.
Medical foundation
Medication is selected by diagnosis, sex, medical history, pregnancy plans, risk tolerance and how reliably a treatment can be continued.
Off-label means a medicine is prescribed for a purpose outside its approved product indication; it does not mean “untested” or automatically unsuitable.
Established first-line option
Applied directly to the scalp, topical minoxidil can help prolong the growth phase and support density in male and female pattern hair loss.
Often a practical starting point when the diagnosis is pattern hair loss and daily scalp application is realistic.
Scalp irritation, dryness, unwanted facial hair and an early increase in shedding can occur. Benefit generally requires continued use.
Prescription · off-label for hair loss
A systemic alternative when topical treatment is poorly tolerated, inconvenient or has not delivered a satisfactory response.
May be considered after blood-pressure, cardiovascular, medication and pregnancy-related screening.
Excess body or facial hair is common. Fluid retention, headache, dizziness, palpitations and blood-pressure changes are possible and require medical oversight.
Prescription · androgen pathway
Finasteride lowers dihydrotestosterone (DHT), addressing a key driver of follicle miniaturisation in male pattern hair loss.
Most often discussed for adult men with androgenetic alopecia. Suitability is individual and requires a medication and reproductive-health review.
Potential effects include reduced libido, erectile or ejaculatory symptoms, breast changes and mood symptoms. It must not be used during pregnancy; special handling precautions apply to broken tablets.
Prescription · off-label for female pattern hair loss
An anti-androgen option sometimes used for women, particularly when the pattern and clinical context suggest androgen sensitivity.
Considered after reviewing blood pressure, kidney function, potassium, other medicines and pregnancy plans.
May cause menstrual irregularity, breast tenderness, dizziness, increased urination and electrolyte changes. Reliable pregnancy avoidance is important while taking it.
Prescription · off-label for hair loss
A more potent 5-alpha-reductase inhibitor that may be considered in selected patients when response to other medical treatment is insufficient.
Usually reserved for a carefully counselled plan because it has a long half-life and broader DHT suppression than finasteride.
Sexual, reproductive, breast and mood-related effects must be discussed. It is not used in pregnancy, and blood-donation restrictions may apply.
Personalised · often multimodal
Pattern hair loss has more than one therapeutic target. A well-chosen combination may address follicle cycling, androgen signalling and the scalp environment together.
Useful when a single therapy is unlikely to meet the treatment goal, or when progress has plateaued despite consistent use.
More is not automatically better. Every additional treatment adds cost, burden and potential side effects; the plan should remain measurable and reviewable.
The early phase
Some people notice increased shedding in the first several weeks after starting minoxidil or changing treatment. This can occur as follicles move through the hair cycle—but not everyone experiences it.
Do not use shedding as proof that treatment is working. Contact the clinic if shedding is severe, prolonged, patchy, painful or accompanied by scalp inflammation or other symptoms.
In-clinic adjuncts
These treatments are commonly used in our clinic alongside medical therapy when the diagnosis, evidence, downtime, budget and treatment goal align.
Laser adjunct
A non-invasive Er:YAG laser protocol designed to deliver controlled thermal stimulation to the scalp. In our clinic it may be paired with a medical foundation rather than positioned as a replacement for it.
Evidence position: Direct protocol evidence is still developing; related laser/light studies support a possible adjunct role, with outcomes varying by device and protocol.
View related evidence on PubMed1927 nm thulium adjunct
A fractional thulium-laser approach used to create controlled microchannels in the scalp and support a structured hair-restoration protocol.
Evidence position: Small clinical studies are encouraging, but the evidence base is less mature than for established medical therapies.
View related evidence on PubMedAutologous biologic adjunct
Platelet-rich plasma is prepared from your own blood and injected into the scalp. It may support hair density in appropriately selected patients.
Evidence position: Meta-analyses suggest a density benefit, while also finding major variation in protocols, study quality and reported outcomes.
View related evidence on PubMedEmerging adjunct
Exosome-based products contain cell-signalling particles and are being studied for regenerative hair applications. Product source and manufacturing quality matter.
Evidence position: Clinical evidence remains early, heterogeneous and based on small studies. Long-term safety, ideal dosing and standardised protocols are not yet established.
View related evidence on PubMedA measured plan
Standardised photographs and planned reviews help distinguish real progress from normal day-to-day variation.
Read the safety essentialsConfirm the likely cause, identify aggravating factors and record a reproducible baseline.
Choose the smallest sensible medical plan, explain side effects and agree on what consistency looks like.
Consider Fotona, LaseMD, PRP or exosome treatment only where it adds a clear role to the plan.
Assess tolerability first, then compare density, calibre, shedding and photography over a meaningful interval.
Safety essentials
All oral options require a clinician review of medical history, other medicines, blood pressure and relevant monitoring.
Finasteride, dutasteride and spironolactone have important reproductive restrictions. Minoxidil also requires pregnancy and breastfeeding discussion.
Do not quietly persist through concerning symptoms. Early review allows the dose, formulation or entire strategy to be reconsidered.
Seek prompt medical review
Your next step
A medical hair-loss consultation is designed to clarify what is happening, what is worth treating and what is unlikely to help.
Contact our clinic team to arrange an assessment. Bring a current medication list, relevant blood-test results and any previous treatment history.
Prepare for your assessment
