Concierge hair loss treatment services

topical FINASTERIDE WITH MINOXIDIL

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Topical finasteride with minoxidil
Why use topical finasteride with minoxidil?

Topical finasteride can be combined with topical minoxidil in a single solution in order to simplify the process of administering these two highly effective hair loss treatments. 

When topical finasteride is combined with topical minoxidil, the two drugs are thought to act synergistically. When treating hair loss they act differently: minoxidil helps hair growth by widening blood vessels in the scalp, promoting better blood flow to hair follicles and stimulating growth. In contrast, finasteride works by blocking the action of the potent male hormone dihydrotestosterone or “DHT”, which is crucial for hair follicle health.

Topical finasteride with minoxidil mainly targets the scalp area, reducing systemic absorption and associated risks and side effects.

The way in which your topical finasteride with minoxidil is delivered through the skin and targeted to the hair follicle is of great importance. In order to be clinically effective and minimise side effects, it is crucial that the medication absorbs well through the skin, reaches its target destination in the hair follicle and remains there with minimal systemic absorption into the bloodstream.

Dr Ball has researched the various formulations of topical finasteride that are available through specialist compounding pharmacies and has identified a product that is very well tolerated, contains no propylene glycol and has a pleasant aroma and feel on the hair. It is delivered to the hair follicle through a solution known as TrichoSol™.

TrichoSol™ is applied to the scalp in drops from a pipette and rubbed into the scalp. You can read more about Dr Ball’s recommended product in our TrichoSol™ blog here.

Please see the finasteride patient leaflet for information regarding potential side effects from topical finasteride. 

Adverse effects of topical minoxidil may include:

  • Local redness, itching, and flaking. However, skin reactions are largely due to the presence of propylene glycol in minoxidil solution and propylene glycol is not present in our recommended TrichoSol formula. Treatment should be discontinued if there is persistent redness or irritation of the scalp.
  • Increased hair shedding, which generally occurs 2–6 weeks after initiating treatment. It is temporary and subsides within a few weeks. Treatment should be discontinued if shedding persists for more than 2 weeks.
  • Hypertrichosis (unwanted non-scalp hair, including facial hair growth). This is caused by the transfer of the product to areas other than the scalp. We advise that care should be taken to apply the product to just the scalp. Applying a head covering can limit unwanted spreading of the product.
  • Hypotension (low blood pressure) has been rarely reported, although there is no clear increased risk of cardiovascular complications with the use of topical minoxidil (because systemic absorption through normal skin is very low). Treatment should be discontinued if hypotension is detected.

It is also recommended to discontinue treatment and seek medical advice if any of the following occur:

  • Chest pain.
  • Tachycardia.
  • Syncope.
  • Dizziness.
  • Sudden unexplained weight gain.
  • Swollen hands or feet.
  • Persistent redness or irritation of the scalp.
  • Other unexpected new symptoms.

Apply 1ml once or twice a day to the areas of thinning (depending on prescribed strength).

Please always follow the instructions on your prescription.

Strength Application Cost per day
Topical finasteride 0.25% with minoxidil 5% – 100ml bottle 1ml once daily £0.61
Topical finasteride 0.25% with minoxidil 7% – 100ml bottle 1ml once daily £0.63
Topical finasteride 0.1% with minoxidil 5% – 100ml bottle 1ml twice daily £1.03
Topical finasteride 0.1% with minoxidil 7% – 100ml bottle 1ml twice daily £1.13

How to order your medication?

Complete the online order form below.

Dr Ball will review your responses and, if clinically appropriate, will issue your prescription.

Your prescription will be sent directly to the pharmacy and they will prepare your medication.

Your order will be dispatched with Royal Mail 48 Tracked service and you will receive your tracking number.

We will check in with you periodically to ensure that you are responding well to treatment. You are welcome to contact The Maitland Clinic at any time for information or support during your treatment.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Our hair loss medication services provide a personalised, “concierge” experience for every patient. Through a comprehensive medical assessment via our order forms, we ensure that the prescribed medication meets your specific needs, health, and requirements. All hair loss medication requests are reviewed and approved by Dr Edward Ball.

At The Maitland Clinic, Dr Ball can prescribe bespoke strength formulas to achieve the ideal balance between a well-tolerated solution and maximum efficacy, thus reducing the risk of side effects.

To help us achieve bringing premium formulations to our patients, we have partnered with a specialist compounding pharmacy that provides high-quality ingredients and hair loss treatments delivered in our preferred delivery solution: TrichoSol™.

Many topical finasteride with minoxidil products that are available today are delivered through solutions (as drops or sprays) which have very imprecise control over the delivery of the drugs resulting in poor localisation in the hair follicle and excessive absorption into the bloodstream. This can reduce the clinical benefit and also increase the risk of systemic side effects that are associated with the oral forms of finasteride and minoxidil.

Some commercially available topical hair loss solutions are cloudy in appearance. This tends to suggest that the active ingredients may not be fully dissolved in the carrier solution and can result in impaired performance of the treatment.

Many commercially available forms of topical finasteride with minoxidil are administered within a solution containing propylene glycol to aid absorption through the skin. Unfortunately, propylene glycol can cause irritation, dry skin and an itchy scalp. Also, low quality products may leave a greasy residue on the hair.

The short answer is no. Topical minoxidil is a licensed medication, but it depends on the strength prescribed. Topical minoxidil 5% is licensed for the treatment of male pattern baldness in men between the ages of 18 and 65. However, topical minoxidil is not licensed in men under the age of 18 or over 65, or in strengths greater than 5%. In the case of a solution containing both topical finasteride and minoxidil, the combination of the two makes it an unlicensend medication.

Only oral finasteride (as a 1mg tablet) is licensed for the treatment of male pattern baldness. To understand more about unlicensed medication, please read our blog about unlicensed and “off-label” medication. 

Oral finasteride (in the form of a 1mg tablet) is licensed in the UK for the treatment of male pattern hair loss. This means that appropriate research stuidies have been conducted and regulatory pathways completed for approval by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).

Although licensed as an oral medication, finasteride is not licensed as a topical solution. This is because the topical product has not been through the MHRA regulatory process.

The General Medical Council (GMC) states that unlicensed medication can be prescribed where, on the basis of an assessment of an individual patient, a prescriber concludes, for medical reasons, that it is necessary to do so to meet the specific needs of the patient. This may be in the event that a patient needs a medicine in a formulation that is not specified in an applicable licence.

Many patients suffering from androgenetic alopecia (male pattern hair loss) are either reluctant to take oral finasteride because they are not comfortable with the risk of side effects or because they have tried and not tolerated finasteride in its oral formulation. It is, therefore, appropriate to prescribe the unlicensed topical formulation of finasteride in such cases. 

To learn more about the use of unlicensed medicine please read our leaflet: Unlicensed and “Off-label” Medicines – Information for Patients.