Login
Hair loss
It’s simple and convenient to manage your hair loss treatment with NX Pharmacies
Renew your prescription for finasteride with NX Pharmacies.
Get your hair loss treatments sent straight to your door by NX Pharmacies.
What is hair loss ?
It is normal to lose between 50 and 100 hairs a day. The shedding of old hairs is part of the growth cycle of hair. But if hair on the head or other parts of the body starts falling out faster than it is replaced, it can start to thin and bald patches appear.
Doctors use the term alopecia to describe hair loss on any part of the body: the scalp, brows and eyelashes, beard, body hair and pubic hair. Hair loss is a cosmetic issue, but hair loss has a psychological effect, too, and can have a negative impact on self-esteem. Hair loss can cause anxiety for some people and it can have a significant impact on wellbeing.
Sometimes people have temporary hair loss after an illness or during treatment for cancer.
Permanent hair loss can occur in both men and women. Male and female pattern baldness both have a genetic component, that is, it runs in families.
NX Pharmacies can fill your prescription for hair loss meds and send your meds straight to your home.
What causes hair loss ?
There are different types of hair loss, and each has its own cause. Most types of hair loss have a genetic component to them, so some people are more susceptible to hair loss than others. The types of hair loss are:
- temporary hair loss
- male or female pattern hair loss
- scarring alopecia
- alopecia areata
- Traction alopecia
- Trichotillomania
Temporary hair loss
Temporary hair loss might happen after an illness or during cancer treatment. Hair loss can also be caused by stress, weight loss or iron deficiency. This type of hair loss often resolves once the root cause passes or is treated. Of course even temporary hair loss can be distressing, so ask for help if your hair loss is affecting your wellbeing.
Male or female pattern hair loss
Androgenic alopecia is caused by genetic and hormonal factors that are still poorly understood. It is very common, particularly as you get older. It affects 50% of men over 50, and 50% of women over 65.
Scarring alopecia
Hair may not grow back on scar tissue on the scalp after an injury. This might include chemical burns from hair products. Scarring alopecia can also be caused by other conditions that replace the hair follicle with scar tissue. Other causes of scarring alopecia include lichen planopilaris and central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia, which is linked to tight hairstyles and also has a genetic component.
Alopecia areata
Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disease. Your body’s immune system protects you from virus, bacteria and other pathogens. Sometimes it goes wrong and attacks the body itself – in the case of alopecia areata, it targets hair follicles. Alopecia areata may affect the scalp only, or it may affect brows and eyelashes, beard and body hair. It takes the form of coin-size patches of hair loss. Hair often regrows over months or years. People with alopecia areata may experience hair loss on and off throughout their lives.
Alopecia areata may progress to alopecia totalis, which affects the entire scalp, or alopecia universalis, which affects the whole body. If this progression happens, the chances of regrowth decrease.
Traction alopecia
When hair falls out because it has been pulled for a long time in the same direction this is known as traction alopecia. Traction alopecia and central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia are both linked to hair treatments and tight hairstyles.
Trichotillomania
Trichotillomania is a symptom of anxiety or obsessive compulsive disorder in which the person tries to alleviate their distress by pulling hair from any part of their body. Constant hair pulling can cause permanent damage to the scalp and it may be distressing, too. So trichotillomania needs to be treated by a doctor. Talking therapies like CBT can help with trichotillomania.
What are the symptoms of hair loss ?
The symptoms of hair loss are:
- thinning hair
- shedding
Hair may fall out in patches, or it may fall out all over the scalp. Hair loss is not necessarily painful, but some conditions that cause hair loss may also have burning or itching as a symptom.
How does a doctor diagnose hair loss ?
At your appointment for hair loss the doctor will look at your hair and scalp. They may run blood tests to check your thyroid function, measure hormone levels and to check serum ferritin.
The doctor may also commission a trichoscopy examination of your hair and scalp under a microscope; or a skin biopsy.
You can let your doctor know if hair loss is affecting your wellbeing – that includes if it is causing you to worry, or making you feel down.
What to do if you have hair loss
Some hair loss is a normal part of the aging process, and male pattern baldness runs in families, so some people do expect to go bald in later life.
Alopecia is not harmful in itself – but hair loss can be the result of an illness, and so it is a symptom that you should get your doctor to check out. Definitely see a GP if you suddenly start losing your hair in clumps, or you get sudden bald patches and your head itches and burns. They can refer you to a dermatologist or a trichologist if necessary.
See a GP, too, if your hair loss is causing you to worry a lot or having an impact on your self-esteem and wellbeing.
How will a doctor treat my hair loss ?
If your hair loss is temporary and likely to resolve by itself, your doctor will offer reassurance and signpost to resources. Where there is some other cause (for example dietary deficiency or another illness) the doctor will treat that to resolve the hair loss.
If your hair loss or alopecia can be treated, it is likely that your doctor will start with a topical treatment (a cream, ointment or gel that is applied directly to the scalp) and then try an oral treatment. After that, there are some other treatments that may be suitable.
It may be a few months before regrowth appears, so you’ll need to persist with your hair loss meds.
Some people decide at some point that they are okay with their hair loss and no longer wish to treat it medically. Your doctor may signpost you to organizations that support people living with hair loss. It can help to be part of a hair loss community where you can get advice on everything from dealing with negative comments to personal styling to wigs to sun screens.
Others want to go on treating it actively through their life and may even consider hair transplant surgery.
Medications that treat hair loss
There are many remedies on the market that are intended to slow the thinning of hair, or encourage hair to grow. But not all of them have been proved effective. It is best to have an appointment with a dermatologist (a doctor who specializes in skin health) to determine which oral or topical treatment is best for your type of hair loss. That way, you know for certain that you are getting a safe, tested remedy that is the correct strength and has a good chance of being effective.
It is likely that your doctor will start your treatment with a topical preparation (lotion, cream, foam or ointment) that you apply to your skin. If this is not effective, they will try tablets.
Medications for hair loss may take a while to work, so do not stop the treatment, even if it seems like it’s not doing anything. Ask your doctor how long you will have to take the pills or use the lotion prescribed for your hair loss.
Some medications have side-effects. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if these are troubling you and stopping you from complying with the treatment.
Finasteride
Finasteride is a 5-alpha reductase inhibitor that can be used to stabilize male and female pattern baldness.
Minoxidil
Minoxidil is applied directly to the scalp twice a day as a liquid or foam.
Corticosteroids
Corticosteroids work on hair loss by reducing the immune response and inflammation in the skin. Topical corticosteroids may be used to treat alopecia areata. They are applied to the skin where hair loss is occurring. The steroid triamcinolone acetonide or hydrocortisone acetate may be injected directly by a doctor.
Oral corticosteroids act on the whole body. They come in the form of tablets or pills.
Immunotherapy for hair loss
Where the cause of your hair loss is related to your immune system, the doctor may recommend tablets that suppress the immune system and reduce inflammation. You will need to have regular blood tests while you are having immunotherapy for hair loss as the medications can have an affect on your blood cells, kidneys or your liver. You will also be more vulnerable to infection. Immunotherapy drugs used to treat hair loss include:
- ciclosporin
- methotrexate
- azathioprine
Other medications used for hair loss
Some other meds for alopecia and hair loss include: anthralin lotion, prednisone and sulfasalazine.
Nutritional supplements for hair loss
In a few cases people with alopecia benefit from certain nutritional supplements such as zinc and iron. Your doctor can advise you on these.
DPCP
DPCP is applied to the scalp for alopecia totalis. This treatment is available only at specialist centres.
Can I get hair loss medication without a prescription?
The tablets and topical preparations used to treat hair loss, male pattern baldness, female pattern baldness and alopecia are only available on prescription. Some of them have side-effects that need to be monitored closely by a dermatologist or doctor.
In Canada you can depend on NX Pharmacies for your hair loss meds. We serve all areas of Canada and can fill your prescription of hair loss medication. We can help with renewals and refills. Our discretion is assured, and you can depend on us for authentic Health Canada-approved medications.
If something changes with your alopecia, talk to your GP. And if your meds stop working, or you start to get uncomfortable side-effects, ask for a medicines review. Your pharmacist can check whether your meds interact with anything else you are taking such as nutritional supplements and medicines for other conditions. They may also be able to advise on managing side-effects of your hair loss meds.
Other therapies for hair loss
Some men with male pattern baldness benefit from a hair transplant. It involves grafting sections of scalp with healthy hair follicles on to bald patches. In some cases hair can be preserved like this for decades. This treatment is best performed by a specialist surgeon. Seek a recommendation from your dermatologist, trichologist or GP.
How to cope with hair loss
There are some emotional as well as practical aspects to coping with hair loss. Your GP, dermatologist or trichologist can signpost you to trusted resources and suppliers that will help you manage your hair loss.
Attend appointments to check your hair loss medication
Some medications used to treat hair loss require you to have blood tests from time to time to make sure that your meds are not affecting your blood, kidneys and liver. It is important to attend these appointments, otherwise your doctor won’t renew your prescription and you will have to stop treating your hair loss.
Emotional support for hair loss
Hair is an important part of many people’s identity and losing it may cause you more distress than you realized. If hair loss is stopping you from doing the things you enjoy, including seeing friends and socializing, seek support. Ask your GP about counselling if you’d like some help dealing with how you feel about your hair loss.
You may also find an online community that can help you live with hair loss. Ask your GP or dermatologist to recommend one, or seek out charities such as The Canadian Alopecia Areata Foundation.
Styling for hair loss
You may wish to seek out a hair dresser or barber with the skills and sensitivity to style your hair in a way that minimizes the appearance of your hair loss. If you are getting treatments such as straightening, relaxing, colouring, weaves or braiding, make sure your stylist is aware of your concerns. And check with your dermatologist or trichologist that these treatments are suitable for you as some of them can make inflammation and scarring worse.
A hair loss community may have advice on styling with scarves and hats.
Wigs and hair pieces
Some people with hair loss choose to wear a wig or hairpiece. Look for a supplier who offers medical wigs, or alopecia wigs to ensure you get the best possible service. Your trichologist or dermatologist may be able to recommend a local wigmaker or wig shop that they know and trust.
Sun protection and hair loss
One of the functions of the hair is to protect the scalp from sun burn. You will need to start applying sunscreen to your head if your hair is thinning because of alopecia. Check with your dermatologist or a pharmacist that your sunscreen will not interfere with any topical hair loss treatments. You could also wear a hat or scarf to keep the sun off your scalp.
- Where can I learn more about hair loss?
- Where can I buy authentic Canadian hair loss medications?
- What is the best price online for hair loss medications?
- How do I set up a new prescription with NX Pharmacies for my hair loss medication?
- How can I refill my prescription for hair loss drugs with NX Pharmacies?
- How will you ship my hair loss meds?
Where can I learn more about hair loss?
There are a lot of clinics and online services offering treatments and drugs for hair loss. And there is a lot of misinformation around about hair loss and alopecia, too. The Canadian Dermatology Association has some information about alopecia and hair care generally. The Canadian Alopecia Areata Foundation is another organization that provides information about living with alopecia.
Where can I buy authentic Canadian hair loss medications?
To be sure you are treating your hair loss with genuine, non-counterfeit medications, get a prescription for hair loss meds from your GP or from a dermatologist and then fill it at a licensed pharmacy, such as NX Pharmacies. For more advice on avoiding counterfeit drugs, see The Government of Canada’s information about counterfeit prescription drugs.
How can I refill my prescription for hair loss drugs with NX Pharmacies?
NX Pharmacies, your doctor and your insurance company work together to ensure you never run out of the meds you use to treat hair loss and alopecia. We offer automatic refills, or you can set up a refill reminder so you can ask for a delivery.