Prescription Haircare | Hair Loss Medication 

Many Australians may experience hair loss or thinning throughout their lives. Whether it is due to lifestyle factors, genetics or hormones, there may be times when hair follicles begin to thin or completely fall out.

Identifying the cause of hair loss can help in preventing further hair loss. With the right treatment option, the effects of hair loss or thinning can also be reversed, and new hair growth can be promoted. This can be done through extensive yet effective hair transplantation, but also through prescriptive medications.

Ultimately, hair loss is characterised by an overall reduction of hair on a person's head. It is an umbrella term for any changes to hair thickness, the location of the hairline, or bald spots.

Thinning hair typically does not cause bald areas, but rather more sparsity in terms of hair thickness. It can occur across the entire head of hair or in patches but often happens over time.

There are some medical conditions or diseases that can involve hair loss as a key symptom. Generally, healthcare professionals will inform you of the possibility of losing hair upon diagnosis of the following conditions or events:

• Female pattern hair loss and male pattern baldness (androgenic alopecia)
• Having a baby
• Hormonal changes
• Alopecia areata
• Cancer
• Anaemia
• Thyroid disease
• Skin disorders, infections or scalp irritation
• Immune system deficiencies
• Vitamin D deficiency
• Significant and sudden weight loss
• Recently stopped taking birth control pills
• Receiving treatment for an autoimmune disease

Inconspicuous or long-term habits in your life may also lead to eventual hair loss. Such causes of hair reduction can be stopped to prevent further hair loss, including:

• Chronic stress
• Eating disorders
• Use of hair products that are harsh on hair follicles or the scalp
• Wearing tight hairstyles
• A high enough fever, especially for a prolonged period
• Lack of nutrients that promote hair growth like iron or folic acid
• Overtreating your hair with dye, relaxers, bleach or perms
• Excessive pulling of hair

This particular treatment for hair loss comes in a multitude of topical forms, including spray, liquid and foam. Regardless of its form, Minoxidil solution, also known as Rogaine, can help reverse hair loss in both men and women.

When regularly applied, Minoxidil works to prevent hair loss or thinning. It also stimulates new hair growth to help restore your previous hair thickness and health.

Minoxidil is available in 2% or 5% concentrate. Typically a healthcare provider or dermatologist will prescribe you the right solution for treating your hair loss condition. Neither solution comes with many side effects, but users may experience some scalp redness and irritation or unwanted hair growth on the face.

This medication can be used to treat various hair loss causes, but noticeable examples include:

• Alopecia areata
• Hypotrichosis
• Male and female pattern hair loss
• And many more

Prescribed only to men due to some extensive side effects in women, Finasteride is an oral medication used to prevent further hair loss. Over time, it can also reverse the effects of thinning hair, but this is generally a slow process.

This medication works by stopping the body's production of hormones that destroy hair follicles. With this method of stopping the loss of hair density, each new hair shaft can find it easier to grow and flourish. However, stopping this medication may cause hair loss to restart in some cases, even at a reduced rate.

The most effective means of restoring your hair permanently is through surgical procedures like hair transplantation. If you find that medication for hair loss is not as effective or long-lasting as you would like, this is another method you can choose.

Transplantation involves new hair follicles being carefully inserted in targeted areas of thinness or balding. Over time, the hair grows to the same level of thickness and density as your original hairline.

While most hair transplant services use Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) for hair regrowth, Gro Clinics specialises in a cutting-edge method known as Precise Follicle Placement (PFP). The natural-looking and swiftly-revealed results of this method have made it an increasingly popular choice across Australia.

Regenera Activa

This regenerative treatment uses your own cells to rejuvenate hair follicles and promote new hair growth. It's ideal for mild to moderate hair thinning.

Low Level Light Therapy

A gentle laser therapy that stimulates hair follicles and reduces inflammation, encouraging healthy hair growth. LLLT is also excellent for supporting post-transplant healing.

Growth Factor Therapy

This treatment uses growth factors derived from your own blood to reactivate dormant hair follicles and promote regrowth.

Platelet-Rich Fibrin

This process concentrates regenerative platelets from your blood for enhanced hair regrowth results.