Hair loss treatment in Exeter

Start with the cause

First, know what you're treating

A comparison table is useless if you don't know what you've got, because the right treatment depends entirely on the cause.

• If it's pattern hair loss (androgenetic alopecia), the slow, gradual thinning at the parting, crown or temples that runs in families, medication is one first-line treatment option, and surgery is sometimes a later option. Read about it for men or women.
• If it's shedding (telogen effluvium), sudden handfuls a few months after an illness, a baby, a diet or a stressful event, the job is to find the trigger and possibly have a blood test. No treatment shortens a shed - it stops by itself. Read our hair shedding guide before you spend a penny.
• If it's your scalp, flaking, itching, greasy scale, you need the right shampoo, not a hair loss treatment. Read our guide to scalp treatments.
• If it's patchy loss (alopecia areata), a sore or inflamed scalp, or hairline and eyebrow thinning in women (frontal fibrosing alopecia), that should be seen by a GP first, and none of what follows applies until it has been.

If you don't yet know which cause is yours, the assessment tells you in two minutes, and the comparison will make a lot more sense afterwards.

How we've rated each option

• Evidence. Strong means several good clinical trials and support from medical guidelines. Moderate means real evidence with gaps. Weak means small or poor-quality studies, often paid for by the people selling the product. None means none.
• Typical cost. What a year tends to cost. For services we don't provide, we give market ranges in Exeter.
• Upkeep. Daily, ongoing, one-off, or repeat sessions. The thing most comparisons leave out and most people underestimate.
• Who it suits. Which cause, at which stage, for whom.

Side by side

Every hair loss treatment in Exeter compared

Finasteride

Men · Daily tablet · Strong evidence · Widely used by dermatologists

The usual first treatment for men with male pattern hair loss, particularly when started early.

£ · Daily · Results in around 6-12 months

Mainly stops or slows further hair loss, regrowth is a bonus. A clinician will check whether it's right for you. Do not handle crushed or broken tablets if pregnant or potentially pregnant.

• Typical cost - From £13.89 per pack (around £170 per year)
• What to expect - Hair loss usually slows by around 6 months. If regrowth happens, it is judged at around 12 months.
• Side effects - A small number of men (around 1-2 in 100) get reduced sex drive or erectile difficulties, which usually settle on stopping. Low mood, anxiety and, rarely, suicidal thoughts have been reported, and the MHRA advises stopping and seeing a doctor if these occur. Breast tenderness is uncommon.

Available through our pharmacy partner, The Independent Pharmacy. Check if this is right for you →

Low-dose oral minoxidil

Women & men · Daily tablet · Moderate evidence · Widely used by dermatologists

A widely prescribed off-label option for pattern hair loss, particularly for women who prefer a tablet to topical treatment.

£ · Daily · Results in around 3-12 months

Some women prefer it to the foam because they find it easier to stick with. It's an off-label treatment, which is explained clearly before treatment. Not for use during pregnancy or breastfeeding.

• Typical cost - £44.99 for 60 × 2.5mg tablets. Cost depends on your dose - around £70 a year on a quarter tablet, where most women start, and up to around £275 a year on a full tablet, more typical for men.
• What to expect - Shedding may slow by around 3-4 months. Hair density is usually assessed at 6-12 months.
• Side effects - The most common is unwanted hair growth on the face or body, which is why women are started on the lowest dose. Some people get a temporary increase in shedding in the first 1-2 months. Less commonly, dizziness, headache, ankle swelling or a racing heartbeat, which is why a clinician checks your blood pressure and heart health first.

Available through our pharmacy partner, The Independent Pharmacy. Check if this is right for you →

Topical minoxidil

Women & men · Foam or solution · Strong evidence · Widely used by dermatologists

A licensed treatment for mild to moderate pattern hair loss, and a straightforward option if you'd rather not take a tablet.

£ · 1-2 times daily · Results in around 6-12 months

It works if you use it, but the reality is that many people don't keep using it for long. Generic minoxidil contains the same active ingredient as branded versions and is usually cheaper.

• Typical cost - Around £21.99 per pack (£264 per year)
• What to expect - Results typically take 6-12 months and treatment needs to be continued to maintain them.
• Side effects - Mostly scalp irritation, itching or dryness, more often with the solution than the foam because of the alcohol content. A temporary shed in the first 1-2 months is common and normal. Unwanted facial hair can happen, so it's advised to prevent the product running onto the face.

Available at most pharmacies in Exeter. Check if this is right for you →

Medicated shampoos

Scalp conditions · Shampoo · Strong evidence for scalp problems

Useful for dandruff, seborrhoeic dermatitis and mild scalp psoriasis, but not a treatment for pattern hair loss.

£ · 2× weekly · Results in around 2-4 weeks

Treats the scalp, not the underlying hair loss. Essential if your scalp is the problem, but largely irrelevant if it isn't. Common ingredients include ketoconazole (for dandruff and seborrhoeic dermatitis) or coal tar (for mild scalp psoriasis).

• Typical cost - Low - no prescription usually needed
• What to expect - Scalp symptoms can improve within 2-4 weeks. Once controlled, treatment is often reduced to weekly use.
• Side effects - Ketoconazole can cause mild scalp irritation, dryness or a change in hair texture. Coal tar has a strong smell, can stain light hair and fabrics, and makes the scalp more sensitive to sunlight.

Available from pharmacies and other Exeter high street retailers.

Hair transplant

Men & some women · Procedure · Strong evidence

The only option that physically brings hair back to areas where hair has already been lost by moving follicles from a donor area.

£££££ · Often one-off · Results in around 12-18 months

Best suited to stable pattern hair loss with a good donor area, usually after treatment has been established. It's rarely a first step for women. A transplant doesn't stop the underlying hair loss around it, so medication may still be needed.

• Typical cost - Often £3,000-£8,000 in Exeter, plus any ongoing medication
• What to expect - Results develop gradually over 12-18 months. A second procedure may be needed some years later.
• Side effects - Swelling, scabbing and numbness for the first couple of weeks are expected. Transplanted hair usually sheds before regrowing, and existing hair nearby can shed too. Less common risks are infection, visible donor scarring, poor graft survival and an unnatural hairline, all of which are more likely with cheaper hair transplant clinics.

We don't perform transplants and take no fees from anyone who does. View hair transplant guide →

Blood tests

Hair shedding · Diagnostic · Not a treatment

Not a treatment itself, but often the step that helps identify why you're shedding and determines what treatment, if any, makes sense.

£ · One-off · Results in days

Particularly useful for shedding, women with heavy periods or restricted diets, and anyone whose hair loss doesn't fit the usual pattern. Tests may include ferritin, thyroid and vitamin D.

• Typical cost - Free through your GP or around £85 for a postal test
• What to expect - Results usually arrive within days, but hair can take months to respond once an underlying problem is corrected.
• Side effects - None beyond a little bruising or discomfort at the needle site. The main risk is acting on a result without a clinician interpreting it, so take the results to your GP or pharmacist before buying supplements.

Your GP's test is free and just as good. You can also get a blood test privately. Check if this is right for you →

Scalp micropigmentation in Exeter

Men & women · Cosmetic · Not a treatment

A cosmetic treatment that creates the appearance of stubble or greater hair density by applying pigment to the scalp.

££££ · Repeat every 3-5 years · Immediate result

Often suited to men who've decided to buzz-cut, or women with diffuse thinning who want less scalp showing through. It doesn't regrow hair, but when done well it can be a genuinely effective cosmetic option.

• Typical cost - £1,000-£3,000, with touch-ups every few years
• What to expect - The cosmetic effect is immediate, but pigment fades and needs refreshing over time.
• Side effects - Redness and tenderness for a few days after each session. Longer term, pigment can fade to a blue or grey tone, dots can blur and spread, and there's a small risk of infection or an allergic reaction to the pigment. Removal is difficult and expensive, so it's a decision to make carefully.

Be careful with cheap treatments - poorly applied pigment can develop a blueish or unnatural appearance. We don't offer SMP.

Hair systems in Exeter

Men & women · Cosmetic · Not a treatment

Toppers, hairpieces and integrated systems can give you an immediate change in appearance while you decide what to do about your underlying hair loss.

£££ · High upkeep · Immediate result

There's nothing wrong with wearing one. Modern hair systems can look extremely natural. The important thing is to be realistic about the ongoing maintenance and the long-term cost.

• Typical cost - £300 to several thousand pounds, plus monthly maintenance and re-fitting
• What to expect - Immediate cosmetic results, but regular appointments, adhesives and replacement are part of the deal.
• Side effects - Adhesives and tapes can irritate the skin, and a system worn for weeks at a time can trap sweat and cause scalp irritation or folliculitis. Clips and bonding can put tension on your own hair and thin it further over time, which is worth knowing if you're using a system to buy time while medication works.

Expect monthly maintenance and, depending on the system, replacement roughly every 6-12 months. Think about the ten-year cost, not just the initial price. We don't offer hair systems.

PRP injections

Women & men · Injections · Moderate evidence

Platelet-rich plasma uses your own blood, processed and injected into the scalp. The evidence is inconsistent and any benefit remains uncertain.

££££ · Repeat every few months · Unclear results

It may help some people with pattern hair loss, particularly alongside established medication. It's unlikely to do much on its own and is often sold as an add-on once someone is already committed to treatment. It can also be offered after a hair transplant to aid healing and results.

• Typical cost - £300-£600 per session, usually 3-4 initial sessions followed by top-ups
• What to expect - If it helps, any improvement is generally assessed around 3-6 months. Results are unpredictable.
• Side effects - Because it's your own blood, serious reactions are rare. Expect scalp pain during and after injections, swelling, bruising and sometimes a headache for a day or two. Infection is possible if it's done somewhere without proper clinical standards.

We don't offer PRP.

Low-level laser

Women & men · Device · Weak evidence

Caps, combs and helmets use low-level light in an attempt to stimulate hair growth.

£££ · Several times a week · Unclear results

There may be a small benefit for some people when used alongside established treatment, but the evidence is limited, with many studies being small or manufacturer-funded.

• Typical cost - £200-£2,000 for the device
• What to expect - Results are unclear and there is no short course - devices generally need to be used several times a week indefinitely.
• Side effects - Very few. Some people report scalp warmth, dryness, itching or a brief increase in shedding when they start. The main cost is time and money rather than risk.

That's a lot of sitting under a red light for 20 minutes, three times a week, for a benefit the studies struggle to pin down. We don't sell these devices.

What's not included, and why

Biotin, collagen, rosemary oil, caffeine shampoo, scalp scrubs, "hair growth" gummies, and every supplement with a photo of hair on it. They're not treatments. There is no good evidence that any of them regrow hair in someone who isn't deficient, and most people eating a normal diet aren't deficient. If a blood test shows you're low in iron or vitamin D, replacing it with targeted supplementation helps.

'Natural' isn't the safe option

A lot of people end up trying supplements, oils and gummies first because they feel like the cautious choice. A prescription sounds like a big step. A bottle of rosemary oil sounds like a small one. And so people spend two or three years on the small steps while their hair loss continues to get worse.

It's worth turning that instinct around. Hair loss treatments have decades of clinical trials behind them, known side-effect rates you can read, and a clinician who checks they're right for you before you take a single dose. The supplements have none of that. They're not tested for hair regrowth in any serious way, nobody checks whether they're right for you, and some of them do real harm. High-dose vitamin A and selenium can trigger shedding. Iron tablets taken without a deficiency can be harmful. Biotin at the doses in hair gummies can distort thyroid blood tests and send you chasing a problem you don't have. Home remedies can cause more harm than good.

Combining treatments

What stacks together well

This is the question we get asked more than any other - can I do these together?

What stacks well

What's a waste on top

Where to go next

Already tried something? Start here

Plenty of people aren't starting from zero. If this sounds like you, here's the next step.

"I tried topical minoxidil and stopped."

You're in the majority. Many people give up the foam or solution within a year, not because it didn't work but because it's greasy, slow, and hard to get through long hair. Stopping early is the single most common reason people say "minoxidil didn't work for me". The same ingredient is also prescribed off-label as a once-daily tablet, which some people find much easier to stick with. Whether it's suitable depends on your health history, which is what the assessment checks. Read about oral minoxidil, or take the assessment.

"I'm on finasteride and it's not enough."

First, consider what "enough" means. Finasteride's main job is to stop the loss. Regrowth is a bonus, it's not the promise. If your hairline is where it was a year ago, it's working. If you want more, adding minoxidil is the evidence-backed next step. And if the hairline itself is what bothers you, that's a hair transplant conversation once you've been stable for a year. Read about male pattern baldness or our hair transplant guide.

"I stopped minoxidil at month three because it got worse."

That early shed is the treatment doing its job. Resting hairs are pushed out to make room for new ones. Some people stop at exactly the point the shed settles and new growth starts to show. Instead, review minoxidil results at six to twelve months, and it's best to do it by photo. If you never took one, that's the first thing to do if you restart.

"I've had a transplant and it's thinning behind it."

The transplanted hair is fine, but the rest was never protected. That's the island effect, and it's the most common regret in hair surgery. Medication now holds what's left and stops the gap widening. Our hair transplant guide explains why finasteride should continue after surgery.

"I've spent a fortune on supplements and oils."

This isn't your fault, and you're far from alone. A blood test is the only way to know whether any deficiency was ever there, and if it wasn't, you can stop spending. Read about what blood test you may want to consider on our shedding page.

The thread through all of these is every treatment works slowly, the first sign of it working looks like failure, and the biggest single reason people believe "nothing works for me" is that they gave the one thing that does work about a third of the time it needed. That's normal, but now you know. Take a photo on day one, then review results at month nine to twelve.

Hair loss treatment in Exeter FAQs