Finasteride is a hair loss treatment for men that helps to counter male pattern baldness by reducing the action of DHT (dihydrotestosterone) on hair follicles. DHT is a naturally occurring molecule that interacts with hair follicles in a way that causes the growth phase of the hair cycle to gradually decrease. This shrinks the follicle resulting in thinner, shorter hairs until the growth phase is so short that the hairs don’t grow from the scalp at all.

Finasteride stops the production of DHT. It inhibits 5-alpha-reductase, the enzyme which converts testosterone into DHT, meaning that less DHT is present in the scalp (around 60% less). This helps to prevent further hair loss, and in many cases, promotes hair regrowth.

An unlicensed medicine can be:

• A medicine that is made as a different, unlicensed version of a licensed medicine (e.g. a solid oral medication made into a liquid formulation, or a medication made in a different strength to the original licensed version).
• A medicine that has no licence at all.
• A medicine that has a licence in other countries, but not the UK.

Our Topical Spray is an unlicensed treatment that contains 6% minoxidil. Minoxidil 5% is a licensed medicine used to treat alopecia androgenetica (a form of hair loss commonly referred to as “male pattern baldness”) in men. Our unique formulation contains 1% more minoxidil than other minoxidil treatments on the market, which is why it is classified as an “unlicensed” medicine.

Every request for our unlicensed and off-label medicines is reviewed by our clinicians. They will review your online consultation and prescribe a hair loss treatment only if it is clinically appropriate, based on individual circumstances.