Hair loss

The hair loss clinic online will give you access to a prescription treatment called Propecia. In clinical trials nine out of 10 men with male pattern baldness kept their hair. Propecia will start working immediately and you could see results in as little as three months. Propecia may not be suitable for everyone but our team of online clinicians will be able to assess if it is right for you.

How do I get the medicine?

Because Propecia is a prescription-only medicine we will need to ask you to complete an online consultation to make sure that it is suitable for you.

You must be a man aged 18 or over and suffer from male pattern baldness. You cannot take Propecia if your partner is pregnant or trying to get pregnant or you have a prostate condition.

If we find that Propecia is suitable for you, if you are an existing Boots.com customer you will be asked to login to your account, If not you will be asked to register for an online account. This only takes a few minutes and you will then be able to complete the online consultation process.

How much is the prescription hair loss treatment?

Treatment Length	Cost
4 Week	£45
8 Week	£80.00
12 Weeks	£90.00

You will receive Boots Advantage Card points on all programme purchases.

What do I do next?

There are three simple steps to follow:

Step 1	Step 2	Step 3
Complete the online consultation	Choose the length of treatment, select delivery option and make your payment online. First-time customers can only order one month's supply.	Collect your treatment from your chosen pharmacy or have it delivered to you

Click here to find out more about our online clinics.
Click here to read a copy of our Patient Guide

Propecia patient information leaflet

What is Propecia and how does it work?

Propecia is a prescription medicine. It is not available on the NHS. It works by reducing the level of Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) in the scalp. DHT causes the hair follicles to shrink and eventually stop functioning, so Propecia works to block this.

How effective is the medicine for hair loss?

Propecia is clinically proven and only available on prescription. In clinical trials, nine out of 10 men with male pattern baldness kept their hair. Two out of three men who stayed on the programme for long-term treatment experienced some regrowth.

How do I take Propecia?

You will need to take one Propecia tablet once a day. Propecia will start working straight away and you could start to see the results in as little as three months. If you stop taking the medicine, the hair loss process will begin again. Any results achieved will begin to reverse by six months and be gradually lost by nine to 12 months, if you stop taking the medicine.

Are there any side effects?

As with all medicines, Propecia can cause side effects, although not everyone will experience them. Some reported allergic reactions include rashes, itching and swelling of the lips and face. If you experience any of these, you should stop taking Propecia and see your doctor straight away.

Other possible side effects, although uncommon, include impotence, ejaculation problems and breast tenderness. Persistent difficulty achieving erection and loss of libido, even after discontinuation of the treatment, has also been reported.

Propecia can cause breast cancer in rare cases. You can read all of the known side effects in the Propecia patient information leaflet.

Is Propecia suitable for everyone?

Propecia is not suitable for women. However women can access products containing Minoxidil either at Boots stores or from the health shop.

Propecia is not suitable for all men. You must be aged 18 or over and suffer from male pattern baldness. You cannot take Propecia if your partner is pregnant of trying to get pregnant or if you have a prostate condition.

Are there any other options?

Propecia is the only prescription medicine for hair loss. Regaine, which contains Minoxidil is another option and is available without prescription. Always read the label. This is available as a lotion or a mousse and can be purchased in Boots pharmacies or on Boots.com. In clinical trials, three out of five men reported regrowth after 48 weeks of continual use of Minoxidil five percent. We also offer the Alpecin range as well as other products and supplements to maintain and support healthy hair.

You can also visit your nearest participating Boots store to find out more about the Boots Hair Retention Programme and if this might be suitable to you.

Remember that one of our pharmacists is available to talk during opening hours and can give you any advice and support that you need.

Boots' Hair Retention Programme

Understandably, you might prefer to get advice and information about hair loss by talking to someone face-to-face, in which case the Boots Hair Retention Programme might be something you'd consider. This is where your Boots pharmacist in store will be able to discuss the options available for you. To find the nearest store to you which offers the Boots' Hair Retention Programme check our handy store finder.

Male pattern baldness treatment: Starting early

Remember that the earlier you start the programme after spotting the signs of male pattern baldness, the more effective the results will be. Sixty-six per cent of those who commit to long-term treatment have some regrowth.

Available to men aged between 18 and 70, the Boots Hair Retention Programme gives you the opportunity to have regular conversations with a pharmacist while you are taking your medicine, to give you the support and advice as you need along the way.

How much does it cost?

Boots Hair Retention Programme costs vary depending on the length of the programme you choose, if the service is appropriate for you:

• £45 for 4 weeks, which is £11.25 per week (equivalent price)
• £90 for 12 weeks, which is £7.50 per week (equivalent price)

These costs are for our treatment. However in addition to this you will receive free advice from one of the specially-trained Boots pharmacists.

If the service isn't suitable or you decide not to go ahead, there is no charge.

You will receive Boots Advantage Card points on all programme purchases.

What's involved in the Boots Hair Retention Programme?

• First, you'll have a confidential consultation and assessment with your Boots pharmacist who will ask you questions about your hair loss, will give you a chance to ask any questions you may have and discuss what your options are.
• If you are eligible for the Boots Hair Retention programme, the pharmacist will supply a medicine called Propecia to help treat your hair loss, and can talk you through how to use it in as much detail as you need. While you're taking Propecia you will have regular conversations and reviews with your pharmacist, to check how you feel it's going, ask any more questions you have and also to monitor how you're getting on.

In the meantime, to help keep you hair looking healthy, you'll also receive a discount on selected Boots hair care products.

To find your nearest participating store, please check our store locator. Remember that if you are affected by male pattern baldness then you are not alone. Even if you decide not to join the programme, your Boots pharmacist is available during opening hours to talk to you and help answer your questions.

What is Propecia and how does it work?

Propecia is a prescription medicine. It is not available on the NHS. It works by reducing the level of Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) in the scalp. DHT causes the hair follicles to shrink and eventually stop functioning, so Propecia works to block this from happening.

How effective is the medicine for hair loss?

Propecia is clinically proven and only available on prescription. In clinical trials, nine out of 10 men with male pattern baldness kept their hair. Two out of three men who stayed on the programme for long-term treatment experienced some regrowth.

How do I take Propecia?

You will need to take one Propecia tablet once a day.

How long do I have to take Propecia for?

Propecia will start working straight away and you could start to see the results in as little as three months. If you stop taking the medicine, the hair loss process will begin again. Any results achieved will begin to reverse by six months and be gradually lost by nine to 12 months, if you stop taking the medicine.

Are there any side effects?

As with all medicines, Propecia can cause side effects, although not everyone will experience them. Some reported allergic reactions include rashes, itching and swelling of the lips and face. If you experience any of these, you should stop taking Propecia and see your doctor straight away.

Other possible side effects, although uncommon, include impotence, ejaculation problems and breast tenderness. Persistent difficulty achieving erection, even after discontinuation of the treatment, has also been reported.

Rarely, it can cause breast cancer. You can read all of the known side effects in the patient information leaflet.

Is Propecia suitable for everyone?

Propecia is not suitable for women, however women can access products containing Minoxidil either at Boots stores or from the health shop.

Propecia is not suitable for all men. You must be a man aged 18 or over and suffer from male pattern baldness. You cannot take Propecia if your partner is pregnant of trying to get pregnant or if you have a prostate condition.

Is Propecia the only option?

Propecia is the only prescription medicine for hair loss. Regaine, which contains Minoxidil is another option and is available without prescription. Always read the label. This is available as a lotion or a mousse and can be purchased in Boots pharmacies or on Boots.com. In clinical trials, three out of five men reported regrowth after 48 weeks of continual use of Minoxidil five percent. We also offer the Alpecin range as well as other products and supplements to maintain and support healthy hair.

Remember that one of our pharmacists is available to talk during opening hours and give you any advice and support that you need.

Click here to find out more about our online clinics.
Click here to read a copy of our Patient Guide