Hair Loss (Service)

This service is suitable for both men and women who:

• Are 18 years of age or older.
• Are located in the Republic of Ireland. 
• Are experiencing gradual hair thinning or pattern hair loss (such as a receding hairline, thinning at the crown, or a widening parting).

This service is not suitable for you if you:

• Are under 18 years of age.
• Are a woman who is pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning to become pregnant in the next 12 months.
• Have sudden hair loss, patches of hair loss, or hair loss affecting other parts of the body (eyebrows, eyelashes etc.) — these patterns may need a different type of assessment. Please book our Dermatology video consultation instead.
• You have scarring, significant redness, inflammation, pain, scaling or other significant scalp disease. 
• Have hair loss associated with significant unexplained illness or other symptoms that may require further investigation.
• You have certain heart conditions, kidney disease, or very low blood pressure 

Pattern hair loss (androgenetic alopecia) is a common, hereditary condition affecting both men and women. Unlike sudden or patchy hair loss, pattern hair loss happens gradually over time:

• Men typically notice a receding hairline, thinning temples, or a sparse area at the crown.
• Women typically experience general thinning on the top of the head or a widening hair parting.

Our online service is specifically designed for these gradual patterns of hair loss. If you are experiencing sudden, patchy, or painful hair loss, a different type of clinical assessment is required.

A prescription will only be issued if an Irish-registered clinician considers treatment clinically appropriate after reviewing your questionnaire, photographs, medical history and current medications.

The treatment offered will depend on your individual circumstances and whether you meet the clinical criteria for this online service. In some cases, further information, examination or investigation may be required before treatment can be prescribed.

Some treatments used for hair loss may be prescribed outside their licensed indication (“off-label”). Where this applies, this will be clearly explained to you, including the expected benefits, important risks, and appropriate consent will be obtained before treatment is started.

If treatment is prescribed, you will receive information explaining how to take your medication, important side effects and safety advice, together with appropriate patient information.

Hair loss treatment takes time. Depending on the treatment prescribed, it may take approximately 3–6 months of consistent use before you begin to notice a benefit.

What to expect during treatment:

• Initial shedding: Some people experience temporary increased hair shedding during the first few weeks or months of treatment. This is a common phase as old hairs make way for new growth. However, if shedding is severe, persistent, or accompanied by scalp discomfort, please seek clinical advice through our video consultation service.
• Long-term maintenance: Hair loss treatment must be continued to maintain its benefits. If treatment is stopped, any progress achieved will gradually reverse over time.

All prescription medicines can cause side effects, although not everyone will experience them. The type of side effects will depend on the treatment prescribed.

Possible side effects of some hair-loss treatments include increased facial or body hair, dizziness or light-headedness, changes in blood pressure or heart rate, ankle or leg swelling, or palpitations.

You will receive specific information about the treatment prescribed to you, including important side effects and when to seek medical advice.

Seek urgent medical attention or call 112/999 if you develop severe breathlessness, chest pain, fainting, or another severe or rapidly worsening reaction.

If you develop persistent dizziness, palpitations, ankle or leg swelling, or unexplained rapid weight gain, please stop or withhold further treatment as advised and seek prompt clinical review.

Yes. This service is available to women experiencing hair loss consistent with female pattern hair loss, subject to clinical assessment and treatment eligibility.

Some prescription treatments are not suitable during pregnancy, while breastfeeding, or when planning pregnancy. Our online questionnaire will assess this and other relevant medical factors before treatment can be considered.

Possibly. Some hair-loss treatments can affect blood pressure and heart rate or interact with medicines used to treat blood pressure or heart conditions.

Please provide an accurate list of all prescription medicines, over-the-counter medicines and supplements you take.

You may be asked to provide a recent blood pressure and pulse reading before treatment can be prescribed.

Do not stop or change any existing blood pressure medication unless advised to do so by your own doctor.

Blood tests are not routinely required for everyone with uncomplicated pattern hair loss.

However, depending on your symptoms, medical history or other health conditions, your clinician may recommend blood tests or further assessment before prescribing treatment. This may be particularly important where there is a possibility of another cause for your hair loss.

If you have recent relevant blood-test results, such as thyroid or iron studies, please provide these where requested.

For some treatments, your clinician may also require a recent blood pressure, pulse and weight before treatment is started.

If treatment is clinically appropriate, your electronic prescription will be sent securely to your chosen pharmacy in Ireland via Healthmail.

You will collect the medication from the pharmacy and pay the medication and any applicable pharmacy charges directly to the pharmacy.

If the clinician considers that treatment cannot safely or appropriately be prescribed through this online service, you will be informed of the reason and advised on appropriate next steps.

This may include arranging a GP video consultation, having further investigations, or seeking specialist assessment.

Any applicable refund will be processed in accordance with the service refund policy.