In short
- Medical (finasteride, minoxidil) — strongest evidence, lowest cost.
- Procedural (PRP, PRF, mesotherapy, microneedling) — moderate evidence, moderate cost.
- Device (LLLT, red light) — mild evidence, one-off cost.
- Cosmetic (hair systems, SMP) — cover, not regrow.
Non-surgical restoration covers three real tiers and one cosmetic one. Combining tiers beats stacking within one tier. Here is the London menu, honestly ranked.
Tier 1 — Medical (the foundation)
- Finasteride 1mg/day: 85–90% response, halts progression
- Minoxidil 5% topical or 0.25–2.5mg oral: regrowth support
- Ketoconazole 2% shampoo 2×/week: mild DHT modulation
- Total cost: £30–£100/month
Tier 2 — Procedural
- PRP: £400–£800/session; 3–4 sessions/year
- PRF: £450–£800/session
- Mesotherapy: £150–£300/session
- Microneedling: £80–£200/session (or at-home derma-roller £20)
- Exosomes: £600–£1,500/session
Tier 3 — Device
- LLLT caps (iRestore, HairMax): £400–£800 one-off
- In-clinic LLLT sessions: £60–£120 each
- Red light panels: mixed evidence for hair specifically
Tier 4 — Cosmetic
- Hair systems / toppers: £500–£3,000 per system
- SMP (scalp micropigmentation): £1,000–£4,000
- Concealer fibres (Toppik, Nanogen): £20–£40/tin
How to combine
Start with Tier 1 for 6–12 months. If insufficient, add Tier 2. Tier 3 as adjunct throughout. Tier 4 for immediate visual improvement while medical works.
The single best non-surgical protocol combines two tiers, not four brands.
Frequently asked
Common questions
Which single non-surgical treatment is most effective?+
Finasteride. Nothing else even comes close.
Can I skip medical and go straight to PRP?+
You can, but you'll be disappointed. PRP without medical is a treadmill you can't get off.
How long before I see results?+
6 months for medical, 3–4 sessions for procedural. Judge at 12 months.
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