# Hair Loss Treatment Cost UK: Price Guide | Pick My Pharmacy URL: https://pickmypharmacy.co.uk/answers/how-much-does-hair-loss-treatment-cost/ Description: Finasteride typically costs £10–£30 a month and minoxidil £20–£40 in the UK. The NHS doesn't fund hair loss treatment, so it's worth comparing prices. --- - [Home](/) - /[Answers](/answers/) - /How much does hair loss treatment cost in the UK? Costs & Charges # How much does hair loss treatment cost in the UK? By [Kaiser Khan](/author/kaiser-khan/) · Updated 9 July 2026 In short Hair loss treatment in the UK typically costs £10–£40 a month. Finasteride tablets are usually £10–£30 a month through a private online pharmacy, while minoxidil (applied to the scalp) costs around £20–£40 a month and can be bought without a prescription. The NHS does not fund treatment for pattern hair loss, as it is classed as cosmetic, so almost everyone pays privately — which makes comparing pharmacy prices worthwhile. At a glance - ·Finasteride: typically £10–£30 a month (prescription-only, men only) - ·Minoxidil: typically £20–£40 a month, no prescription needed - ·Generic finasteride and branded Propecia contain the same active ingredient - ·The NHS does not fund hair loss treatment — it is classed as cosmetic - ·Results take 3–6 months and reverse within months of stopping - ·Multi-month packs usually work out cheaper per month ## What finasteride and minoxidil cost The two evidence-backed treatments for pattern hair loss are priced very differently by route. Finasteride, a once-daily tablet for men, is prescription-only: online pharmacies typically charge £10–£30 a month for the full service, including the prescriber consultation and delivery. Generic finasteride sits at the bottom of that range and branded Propecia at the top — both contain the same active ingredient at the same 1mg dose, so the extra spend on the brand buys packaging, not effectiveness. Minoxidil, a solution or foam applied to the scalp, needs no prescription and typically costs £20–£40 a month from pharmacies; multi-month packs usually reduce the per-month cost. Some men use both together, so budget £30–£70 a month for a combination approach. ## Why the NHS doesn't pay for hair loss treatment Pattern hair loss is classed as a cosmetic concern rather than a medical condition, so the NHS does not routinely fund treatment for it. Finasteride is not prescribed on the NHS for hair loss, and minoxidil is bought over the counter rather than on prescription. That places hair loss treatment in a small group of medicines where nearly everyone pays privately — and where prices genuinely vary between pharmacies for identical medicines. The exceptions are medical causes of hair loss, such as alopecia areata or thyroid disease, which are treated differently: if your hair loss is patchy, sudden, or accompanied by other symptoms, see a GP for a diagnosis before spending money on pattern hair loss treatment that will not address the cause. ## The consultation and safety checks Because finasteride is prescription-only, every legitimate online pharmacy requires a consultation before supplying it — usually a medical questionnaire reviewed by a prescriber, with the cost bundled into the monthly price. This is not a formality. The MHRA has issued safety communications about finasteride, covering reported sexual side effects and mood changes including depression, and UK suppliers are expected to counsel men on these risks before treatment starts. The consultation screens out men for whom the tablet is unsuitable and establishes a route to report problems. Finasteride must not be used or handled by women who are or may become pregnant. A pharmacy that asks no medical questions before selling finasteride is one to avoid — check its GPhC registration before ordering. ## Budgeting for the long term Hair loss treatment is an ongoing cost, not a one-off. Visible results typically take 3–6 months of consistent daily use, with peak effect around a year — so judge value over at least a year, not a single month. The gains also reverse if you stop: DHT levels recover within days of stopping finasteride, and hair supported by minoxidil sheds over the following months, so treatment only makes financial sense if you are prepared to continue indefinitely. To keep the cost down, choose generic finasteride over the brand, compare the per-month price across two or three GPhC-registered pharmacies, and look at longer supplies once you know you tolerate the medicine. This is general information, not medical advice — speak to a pharmacist or GP about what suits you. Next step ## Compare Pharmacies for What You Need See NHS services, private prices, and reviews side by side — GPhC-checked, free, and no obligation. Pharmacies you don't pick never see your details. [Browse pharmacies](/pharmacies/)[Prescription Cost calculators →](/calculators/) ## People Also Ask Is generic finasteride as good as Propecia?+ Yes. Generic finasteride 1mg and Propecia contain the same active ingredient at the same dose and are held to the same MHRA standards. The generic typically costs substantially less, which is why most UK pharmacies supply it by default. Do I need a prescription for hair loss treatment?+ For finasteride, yes — it is prescription-only, and online pharmacies include the prescriber consultation in the monthly price. Minoxidil is available from any pharmacy without a prescription, although a pharmacist can advise whether it suits your type of hair loss. Can I get finasteride on the NHS?+ Not for hair loss. The NHS classes pattern baldness as cosmetic and does not fund its treatment, so finasteride for hair loss is a private prescription. A higher-strength finasteride tablet is prescribed on the NHS for prostate conditions, but it must never be split or used for hair loss without specific medical advice. What happens if I stop paying for treatment?+ Any benefit gradually reverses. Hair loss resumes over the months after stopping either medicine, returning roughly to where it would have been untreated. That makes hair loss treatment a long-term commitment — worth factoring into the decision before you start. Keep reading - [Finasteride vs minoxidil — which should I compare in the UK?](/answers/finasteride-vs-minoxidil-uk/) - [What does a private prescription cost in the UK?](/answers/what-does-a-private-prescription-cost/) - [How do I check if an online pharmacy is legit?](/answers/how-do-i-check-if-an-online-pharmacy-is-legit/) - [Are online pharmacies safe to use?](/answers/are-online-pharmacies-safe/) - [Compare hair loss treatment prices](/treatments/hair-loss/) - [Finasteride vs minoxidil](/answers/finasteride-vs-minoxidil-uk/) - [Finasteride price comparison](/treatments/hair-loss/finasteride/) - [Minoxidil price comparison](/treatments/hair-loss/minoxidil/) **Affiliate disclosure:**Pick My Pharmacy is free to use. We may earn a fee when you visit a referral partner or send a private-service enquiry. That never changes ratings, match results, or the prices you pay. Outbound partner links userel="sponsored". See[affiliate compliance](/methodology/#affiliate-compliance)and[how we make money](/how-it-works/). This article is general information for UK patients, not medical advice, and NHS rules and charges change — confirm current rules on [nhs.uk](https://www.nhs.uk) or speak to a pharmacist or GP before acting. For urgent medical help call NHS 111, or 999 in an emergency. Price figures are indicative benchmarks from our[methodology](/methodology/).