Getting hair loss treatment over the counter
If you don’t see the need in getting a prescription treatment for your hair loss, there are over-the-counter options you can try. But while some may work for some people, many of them might not, and there aren’t many clinical studies to prove how well most of these over-the-counter products work.
You can also find over-the-counter hair loss treatments online through major retailers like Amazon, as well as from your local pharmacy or most high street pharmacies.
Before you buy anything, you should make sure that the products that you get for your hair loss are regulated and safe to use. If you’re not sure, ask a clinician for advice. They should be able to let you know if the product you want can be effective.
Priceline, Chemist Warehouse and high street pharmacies
If you’ve got a prescription for a hair-loss treatment, you can take it to a high street pharmacy and most of them will be able to dispense it for you. Aside from that, they might also have some over-the-counter options for you to try, but make sure to speak to a clinician or pharmacist before taking anything, so they can make sure that the treatment is right for you.
Priceline, for instance, offers hair loss treatment for both men and women but they mostly only sell over-the-counter options, like: vitamins, shampoos, conditioners, and concealers. You can also get Regaine at Priceline – a foam that’s applied directly to your scalp. And some studies have shown that it can be effective for the treatment of male pattern baldness.
At Chemist Warehouse, you can get hair loss treatments by bringing along your paper prescription, or using their e-script service online. They have a consultation service to get a hair loss treatment on prescription but this is an added cost. They offer Finasteride and Propecia (on prescription) as well as Regaine.
Getting hair loss treatment from supermarkets
Getting hair-loss treatments and other prescription medicines from supermarkets is currently not an option in Australia. You may be able to find certain shampoos, vitamins and supplements that claim to promote hair growth.
However the evidence to suggest that shampoos ‘formulated’ for male pattern hair loss actually work is limited.