For Him · Hair Loss
The earlier you act, the more you keep.
Male-pattern hair loss is gradual. By the time most men do something about it, they've watched it happen for years. Treatment works best on follicles still producing — the sooner you start, the more there is to protect.
From £14.99/mo · subject to clinical review
The numbers
50%
of men experience some male-pattern hair loss by the age of 50.
Source: NHS.
- 3–6
mo - Typical timeline before any visible change. Consistency matters more than anything else in this window.
- 24 hrs
- Prescriber review once your consultation is submitted.
- 2
- Evidence-led options Switch prescribes for male-pattern hair loss — used alone or in combination, depending on you.
The science
Hair loss is hormonal,
not bad luck.
A specific enzyme converts testosterone into DHT — a hormone that some follicles are genetically sensitive to. Over time DHT thins the follicle until it stops producing hair. Treatments work by blocking that enzyme or by stimulating follicles that haven't yet shut down.
01
The cause
Testosterone becomes DHT
An enzyme called 5α-reductase converts testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT) — the hormone responsible for male-pattern hair loss.
02
The impact
DHT shrinks the follicle
Some men are genetically more sensitive to DHT. It disrupts the natural growth cycle, so each new hair grows finer and shorter than the last, until the follicle stops altogether.
03
The treatments
Block the cause, support the follicle
Finasteride blocks 5α-reductase, lowering DHT at the source. Minoxidil works topically to extend the growth phase of follicles still producing hair.
Treatments
Two options, working differently.
Most men do well on one of these alone. Some respond best to both used together. Your prescriber matches the treatment to your pattern, age, and how long it's been happening.
Most prescribed
Finasteride
1mg tablet · taken once daily
A daily tablet that lowers DHT at the source. The standard prescription for male-pattern hair loss with the most evidence behind it.
- Blocks the enzyme that creates DHT
- Taken consistently — same time each day
- Visible change typically appears at 3–6 months
- Prescribed and reviewed by a UK pharmacist
- Pause, swap, or stop your subscription any time
From £14.99per month, subject to review
Topical option
Minoxidil
5% topical solution · applied twice daily
A topical applied to the scalp that improves blood flow to the follicles. Often used alongside Finasteride for a combined effect.
- Targets the follicle directly, not the hormone
- Applied morning and evening to affected areas
- Visible change typically appears at 4–6 months
- Can be used on its own or with Finasteride
- Initial shedding for some — your prescriber will explain why
From £18.99per month, subject to review
What to expect
Change takes time.
Hair loss has been happening for years before you noticed. Reversing or halting it is the work of months, not weeks. Here's what the first year looks like.
How it works
From consultation to your first month.
Short consultation
About 4 minutes of medical questions. We will only ask what we need to assess whether treatment is right and safe for you.
ID verification
A short video step with our team to confirm we are prescribing to you, not to someone else using your details.
Pharmacist review
A UK-registered pharmacist reads your consultation in full and decides whether to prescribe.
Discreet delivery
Plain unbranded packaging with no mention of Switch or what is inside. Arrives within 2–3 working days.
Ongoing care
Message the pharmacy team any time. Reviews every 3 months to check progress and adjust if needed.
2-minute check
Is treatment likely to help?
A quick steer, not a diagnosis. A pharmacist always makes the final call after your full consultation.
Answer the three questions.
Your personalised steer appears here based on pattern, duration, and age.
A UK-registered pharmacist always makes the final decision based on your full consultation.
Start full consultationTake the first step
The work is in the consistency.
A short consultation, a pharmacist review, and treatment that works if you stick with it.
Start your consultationYour prescriber
Your prescriber is on the register.
The pharmacist who reviews your consultation is on the GPhC register and reachable by message any time.
Omar Farook Dagia
Superintendent Pharmacist
GPhC 2221199Good to know
Common questions.
If anything here does not cover it, our care team is one message away.
Still have a question?Message the team
Does Finasteride work?
Yes for most men, with consistency. Clinical studies show around 80 to 90 percent of men taking 1mg daily either maintain or improve their hair after 12 months. It cannot bring back follicles that have fully closed, which is why starting earlier means there is more to work with.
What about side effects?
Most men experience none. A small percentage report sexual side effects such as lowered libido or erectile difficulty, typically within the first few months. These resolve when treatment stops. Your prescriber will go through the full picture before prescribing and will check in during your reviews.
How long until I see results?
Visible change typically appears between months 3 and 6. The first month is your body adjusting. Some men experience a brief shedding phase early on, which is the medication clearing the way for new growth. Consistency matters more than anything in this window.
What happens if I stop?
Whatever the medication was holding onto starts to gradually go again. Finasteride and Minoxidil only work while you are taking them. There is no course that builds a permanent result. These are long-term treatments and your prescriber will explain that upfront.
Can I take both Finasteride and Minoxidil together?
Yes. They work on different mechanisms, one hormonal and one topical, and are commonly combined. Your prescriber will discuss whether starting with one or both makes most sense for you, based on the pattern and how long it has been happening.