Hair loss
Hair loss treatment in London
Most adult hair loss is pattern hair loss, and it responds best to treatment started early. Iron, thyroid and hormone causes are ruled out with a blood test before anything is prescribed. A telephone consultation is £59, a blood panel £350, and a PRP session £450.
What it is
Hair grows in cycles, and loss is what you notice when more follicles rest than grow. In men it is usually pattern hair loss, driven by sensitivity to normal levels of testosterone. In women it is more often diffuse thinning across the crown with the hairline kept.
Shedding after an illness, a birth, a crash diet or a general anaesthetic is a different thing. It starts around 3 months after the event, is dramatic, and recovers on its own over 6 to 9 months once the cause has passed.
Who it is for
Men and women with pattern thinning. In men it recedes at the temples and crown, and in women it widens the parting. PRP works best on recent thinning, alongside medical treatment.
It is not for complete baldness or scarring hair loss. Thinning caused by low iron, a thyroid problem or a recent illness is treated by treating the cause.
What happens
A doctor examines the scalp and takes the history, because patchy loss, scarring loss and shedding after illness each need something different. Standardised photographs are taken so the result can be judged fairly months later.
Bloods follow where the pattern suggests a cause: ferritin, full blood count, thyroid and vitamin D at minimum, and hormones where periods are irregular or there is new facial hair. Results come back in a day or two and a doctor explains what the numbers mean.
If treatment is right for you, the options are PRP to the scalp, usually three to four sessions about a month apart, a medical treatment the doctor discusses with you, or both together.
Treatments and prices
- GP telephone consultation
A first conversation by telephone, with the blood test ordered if it is needed.
£59
- Core Wellness blood test
Ferritin, thyroid and vitamin D, the three that most often explain thinning, in a 30 marker panel read by a doctor.
£350
- Hair PRP consultation
A doctor examines the scalp, takes the history and tells you whether PRP can help your pattern of loss. £50 is credited against your first session.
£150
- Hair PRP session
Platelets from your own blood injected into thinning areas of the scalp. Usually three to four sessions about a month apart. A doctor calls you first.
£450
- Medical hair loss treatment
Where a medical treatment may help, the doctor discusses it with you at the consultation, after looking at your scalp, your history and your blood results.
- PRF for hair
Platelet-rich fibrin, prepared from your own blood like PRP, for pattern thinning. The PRF page sets out the protocol.
- Hair loss explained
The causes, the tests and every option, including doing nothing, correcting the cause and a hair transplant.
Prices are the booking catalogue’s, the same figures checkout charges. Where a row shows no figure, the catalogue does not list it and its own page explains how it is arranged.
What it cannot do
- PRP does not regrow a bald scalp. The trials are small and preparation differs from clinic to clinic, so the honest expectation is an improvement in density rather than regrowth.
- Thinning caused by low iron, a thyroid problem or a recent illness is treated by treating the cause, and PRP is not the answer to any of them.
- Pattern hair loss continues underneath. Results can last up to 12 months, so a top-up every 6 to 12 months is usual, often with a daily treatment alongside.
- Any medical treatment is discussed with you by the doctor and supplied only where it is clinically appropriate after assessment.
- We do not do hair transplants. Where that is what you need, we say so and refer you.
When to see a doctor
- Hair falling out in patches over days or weeks
- Loss with an itchy, scaly, painful or red scalp
- Loss starting within 3 months of a new medicine or a serious illness
- Thinning with irregular periods, new acne or new facial hair
- Eyebrows or body hair going as well
These are reasons to see a doctor before starting any hair treatment. Book a GP appointment. If you are severely unwell, go to your nearest emergency department or call 999.
Common questions
How much does PRP for hair cost?
A session is £450, usually three to four about a month apart. Book one online and a doctor calls you first, or book a £150 consultation, £50 of which comes off your first session.
Does PRP regrow hair?
It works best on recent pattern thinning, alongside medical treatment, and does not regrow a bald scalp. Most trials found more hairs per square centimetre after a course than before it, but the trials are small, so the honest expectation is better density rather than regrowth.
Do I need a blood test first?
Often, yes. Iron, thyroid and hormone causes are ruled out with a blood test before anything is prescribed. The Core panel is £350 and covers ferritin, thyroid and vitamin D. Results come back in a day or two and a doctor explains what the numbers mean.
When will I see a result?
Any change shows at around three months and is judged against your photographs at six. Results can last up to 12 months, and a top-up every 6 to 12 months is usual.
Do you do hair transplants?
No. A transplant is the right answer for an established bald area that medication cannot bring back. Where that is what you need, we say so and refer you.