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Where to get your hair loss treatment from

Where to get your hair loss treatment from

There are a lot of different hair loss treatment options, but not all of them are available everywhere. Some are only available by prescription, while others are available over-the-counter. Different treatments will work best for different people, so a treatment that works well for someone else might not be as effective for you. It’s always best to consult a specialist to determine the safest and most suitable treatment for you.

Daniel Atkinson
Medically reviewed by
Daniel Atkinson, GP Clinical lead
Table of contents
Reviewed on Jul 09, 2024. by Dr Daniel Atkinson GP Clinical lead Registered with GMC (No. 4624794) Next review due on Jul 09, 2027.
Daniel

Last updated on Jul 09, 2024.

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Where can you get hair loss treatment?

Hair-loss treatments can be purchased via different pathways, which may involve:

  • A consultation and prescription from a licensed clinician
  • Over-the-counter (OTC) options at a local pharmacy or retail store
  • Regulated online pharmacy and telehealth services

Getting hair loss treatment in person

Seeing a clinician in person might be useful. They will physically examine you and your hair. This will help the clinician make individualized recommendations to treat your hair loss . The clinician may also be able to determine if your hair loss is caused by another condition.

Some nutrient deficiencies in your diet can lead to hair loss. Nutrients considered important for hair growth are iron, zinc, vitamin B3, fatty acids, selenium, vitamin D, biotin, and amino acids and proteins. If one of these nutrient deficiencies is the cause of your hair loss, your clinician will need to help make sure that you’re making the right changes to your diet, or that you’re taking the right supplements for your hair loss. If the cause for your hair loss is male pattern baldness, your doctor will discuss suitable treatment options with you which may include prescription hair loss treatment, over-the-counter medications, and lifestyle changes.

Some hair loss treatments aren’t covered completely by insurance. You might want to consider other options after you’ve received your prescription. 

Getting hair loss treatment over the counter

For those looking into accessible, non-prescription methods, there are over-the-counter options you can try. While these OTC treatments are widely available, there aren’t many clinical studies to show how effective they are .

These generally fall into broad groups, such as fortified shampoos, specialized conditioners, cosmetic concealers, and topical scalp treatments. You can find OTC hair loss treatments online through major retailers, as well as from local or online pharmacies.

Before you buy anything, you should make sure that the products that you choose to treat your hair loss are regulated and safe to use. If you’re not sure, ask a clinician for advice. They will let you know if the product you want can be effective.

Getting hair loss treatment from traditional and retail pharmacies

If you have a prescription for a hair loss treatment, most pharmacies will be able to dispense it for you. Aside from that, they might also have some over-the-counter options for you to try. Make sure to consult with a clinician or pharmacist before taking anything so they can make sure that the treatment is right for you.

Some pharmacies offer hair loss treatment for both men and women but they are usually limited to OTC options, like: vitamins, shampoos, conditioners, and concealers.

Getting hair loss treatment from supermarket pharmacy counters

Getting hair loss treatments from supermarkets could be more convenient for you, as you can do it while you’re doing your regular shopping, rather than having to travel somewhere solely to get hair loss treatment.

Most supermarkets have a medicinal section. Larger supermarkets often even have an in-store pharmacy where you can fill your prescription.

The downsides of getting hair loss treatment from supermarkets is that not every store will have a full-service, in-store pharmacy, and options may be limited. There is a chance that you won’t find the best treatment for you there.

Getting hair loss treatment from licensed online pharmacies and telehealth services

Getting hair loss treatment online can be an accessible alternative to traditional, brick-and-mortar pharmacies Legitimate medical platforms will usually request that you complete a form with some of your personal information and health details or a virtual consultation with a clinician. This is to determine what the right treatment pathway is for your hair loss, going forward.

However, to avoid unsafe products, when looking to purchase medication from an online pharmacy service, it’s important to make sure that you’re sourcing healthcare from a legitimate, regulated pharmacy.

When getting hair-loss treatments online, make sure that they’ve been prescribed and approved by registered clinicians. This will make sure that the treatment is safe and suitable for you to use.

To check the legitimacy of the source you’re getting the medication from, watch out for these things:

  • Doctors must be members of their provincial medical professional regulatory authority
  • Pharmacists must be registered with the Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada (PEBC), to be able to dispense prescriptions.
  • Online pharmacies should also be registered with the PEBC and will show a unique number somewhere on their website.

 

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Disclaimer: The information provided on this page is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have any questions or concerns about your health, please talk to a doctor.

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