Take an online consultation. Our experts will then recommend the best treatments in the UK for you.
overall thinning hair
Over 9/10 men
"Strongly recommend a 3 month order as first results take time"
receding hairlines
9/10 men
"Strongly recommend a 3 month order as first results take time"
thinning at the crown
2/3 men
"Strongly recommend a 3 month order as first results take time"
Take an online consultation. Our experts will then recommend the best treatments in the UK for you.
Our medical team work round the clock to bring you the most effective treatments available in the UK
From stress to vitamin deficiency, there are many possible causes of hair loss. However, male pattern baldness (MPB), or androgenetic alopecia, is the most common culprit, causing 90% of male hair loss cases. This is caused by the hormone, DHT, which weakens and shrinks the hair follicles – and ultimately makes them unable to produce hair. That’s MPB and it happens to most men in our lifetimes.
You’ll probably know the main signs of balding already. From a receding hairline to a balding crown, the key signs are familiar to us all. However, overall, expect your hair to be thinner, weaker, and more brittle. And you may see that it grows more slowly on top – or that more hair falls out in the shower or when styling. Crucially, sudden onset hair loss or inflamed/sore scalp that causes bald spots or patchy hair loss is not MPB.
Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) is what powers MPB. Derived from testosterone by an enzyme known as 5α-Reductase, it helps your body develop sex organs, muscle mass, and facial hair in your youth. However, as you age, DHT weakens your hair follicles, and stops them producing hair. Prevent 5α-Reductase from working, though, and your follicles can be saved – which means fuller and thicker hair for longer.
You bet that hair loss is reversible. Thanks to our understanding of DHT and hair follicles, new hair loss treatment options are available. Finasteride and Minoxidil are the market-leaders, with Finasteride being effective in the treatment of MPB for 9/10 men. So, men don’t need to put up with hair shedding, thinning, or bald spots anymore – as these medical treatments offer an easy way to regrow healthy hair.
With MPB treatment, the trick is to start as soon as possible. While Minoxidil and Finasteride have a big impact in the battle against that androgen, DHT, they can only do so much. If you’re completely bald and have been for a long time, it is unlikely that treatment will work. DHT will have made the follicles unable to produce hair – and permanent hair loss is the result. Start treatment as soon as you can.
Male pattern baldness (MPB) is the most common form of hair loss, caused by your genetics primarily. It accounts for 95% of male hair loss, and is treatable.
In MPB hair follicles gradually shrink, your hair becomes thinner and sheds more quickly. At the hair follicle there is an enzyme called 5-alpha-reductase (5AR) which changes testosterone into DHT (a more potent hormone). Hair follicles susceptible to MPB are more sensitive to DHT, and it causes them to shrink. The hair at the back of the head are more resistant to the effects of DHT and as a result receding hairlines and the crown usually are the areas of MPB.
We provide hair clinic expertise at your fingertips, and deliver the most effective hair loss treatments directly to you at less than half the cost of expensive private clinics.
All you need to do is select which you want, and answer an online consultation which our clinicians assess. In addition, we will provide unlimited clinical support from our hair clinicians directly from your personal account. There you can also upload photos of your hair for a clinical opinion and track your hair growth journey with before and after treatment pictures.
There is one simple and convenient subscription plan which is particularly important as a treatment for hair loss does not occur instantly, it takes time and commitment. It typically takes 3-6 months to start seeing visible changes and 12 months+ to see the maximum results.
These are the most effective official treatments on the market. To give yourself the best chance of tackling your hair loss, using BOTH the treatments gives you the most potent effect as they work on different parts of the hair loss problem.
Regaine for men extra strength 5% solution - contains the proven treatment minoxidil. This is a potent hair growth stimulant which works to increase blood flow to the scalp, enriching and boosting hair follicles to promote hair growth and prevent hair loss.
Finasteride - a proven effective treatment blocker of the DHT producing enzyme 5-alpha reductase, which protects your hair follicles from shrinking, reduces the risk of hair shedding and optimises hair regrowth.
So you are attacking the problem from both angles with a combination treatment, combined it should work in over 90% of men! This is huge.
Finasteride and Minoxidil are both proven and highly effective treatments for male hair loss. Studies have shown that the earlier you start, the better the results!
Research shows that Finasteride halts hair loss or regrows hair in 9 out of 10 men, whilst Minoxidil is effective in over 6 out of 10 men. Combined it should work in over in >90% of men.
Consistency and perseverance are the key to successful treatment outcomes. Results start to be seen within 3-6 months of regular use, with maximal benefit being seen in 12months+. For this reason, we strongly advise quarterly plans for continuity. If the treatment is stopped the beneficial effects can start to reverse after 6 months and usually completely disappear after 9-12 months.
Like all medicines there are risks of unwanted side effects. The good news is that with our hair loss treatments these are uncommon.
The most common side-effects with minoxidil are local skin irritation, a full list is outlined in the patient information leaflet.
98.6% of men who took Finasteride in clinical trials, continued to do so as they experienced no significant adverse effects to the medication. Finasteride side effects include a rash, tenderness around the nipples, decrease in libido, testicular pain, erectile dysfunction, poor seminal quality, depression/low mood and palpitations.
It is important to read the treatment plans and information supplied before starting treatment.
The following are not suitable for our treatment:
Other treatment options are available such as PRP (platelet-rich plasma) injections and low-level laser treatment (LLLT) have worked for some people but don’t have clear evidence to show their effectiveness.
Hair transplants have shown rapid improvement over the last few years, but they can be expensive and success rates vary greatly. Also usually even after your hair transplant your surgeon will recommend prescription medication such as finasteride and minoxidil to ensure you keep the hair that is still there.
Hair pigmentation treatments and hair fibres are another possible treatments/applications to disguise your hair loss, although they don’t actually prevent the hair loss itself they can really improve your look.
There is no clinical evidence to suggest that herbal pills help with male pattern baldness.
If you have a general question, fire over an email to help@manual.co.
If you have a clinical question but don't want to complete a consultation yet, sign up for a Manual account and send us a message to speak to one of our clinicians.