Male-pattern hair loss treatment online
Gradual thinning or a receding hairline? Check whether it fits male-pattern hair loss and can be treated online. Quinn checks it's not sudden or patchy first — if it fits, a clinician can prescribe hair-loss treatment.
- No appointment or video call
- NZ clinician reviewed
- Pay only if approved
What to expect
Talk to Quinn, our AI assistant. A NZ clinician reviews your history and decides your care.
- A clinician may discuss minoxidil applied to the scalp or a private finasteride prescription
- Finasteride is roughly $45–$50 for 28 tablets; minoxidil is roughly $62–$80 per month
- Sudden, patchy, scarred or inflamed hair loss needs an examination
Is this service right for me?
Start an online assessment if…
- The pattern is gradual and typical and the scalp has no warning changes
- You can discuss sexual, fertility, mood, heart and medicine considerations relevant to treatment
Use another service first if…
- Sudden or patchy loss, scalp pain, marked scale, redness, scarring or broken hairs
- Serious illness, major weight change, a possible nutrition or hormone cause, or uncertainty about the diagnosis
When to get care sooner
Some symptoms need urgent or in-person care.
STOP finasteride and get help straight away if you…
- develop low mood, thoughts of self-harm, or suicidal thoughts — call your clinician, or free call or text 1737
See your GP if you…
- develop scalp rash or pain
- have breast tenderness or lumps
- have persistent low mood
- have sexual dysfunction
- notice your hair loss changing character (becomes patchy or sudden)
About male-pattern hair loss
Male-pattern hair loss is a common, hereditary pattern of gradual thinning, usually starting at the temples, hairline or crown. It isn't harmful to your physical health. But sudden, patchy or inflamed hair loss is different. That needs an in-person look, rather than being treated as this pattern.
- Gradual recession or thinning over the crown in a typical male pattern
- A family history and otherwise healthy scalp without sudden shedding or discrete bald patches
How your online consultation works
No appointment or video call to book. See the current clinician review time before you start.
- Tell QuinnDescribe your concern in your own words. Quinn, our AI assistant, gathers the information for your clinician.
- Clinician reviewA registered NZ clinician reviews your history and decides your care. They may ask for more detail.
- Receive your careApproved documents are saved in My care. Any prescription goes to your chosen pharmacy.
Keep your usual GP. You choose whether to share your approved consultation summary with your usual practice.
What we’ll ask about
Answer naturally. Quinn follows up on what matters to your situation, using these topics for the assessment.
- Where thinning began, speed of change, family pattern and photos if helpful
- Patchy or sudden loss, scalp pain or inflammation, weight or health changes and new medicines
- Sexual or mood history relevant to finasteride, heart history relevant to minoxidil and treatment preferences
Frequently asked questions
What happens if I stop treatment once it's working?
Any benefit is generally only kept up while treatment continues. Stopping usually leads to losing the improvement within about 3 to 6 months.
Can hair loss like this be caused by something other than genetics?
This gradual pattern is usually genetic. But sudden or patchy loss can have other causes, such as thyroid problems, iron deficiency or major stress. These need a different kind of check.
Can an online consultation include a finasteride prescription?
A clinician may consider a private finasteride prescription if your hair loss fits the male-pattern service and treatment is suitable for you. The assessment includes relevant medicine, sexual-health, fertility and mood considerations. The consultation fee covers the assessment; the pharmacy charges separately for any medicine prescribed.
Is minoxidil the same as finasteride?
No. They are different medicines. The options discussed on this page include minoxidil applied to the scalp and a private finasteride prescription. Ask a pharmacist about topical minoxidil products and their suitability. Do not assume that information about a scalp product also applies to tablets.
Fees and practical details
Your consultation fee is shown before submission. Your card is charged only if care is approved; medicine and pharmacy costs are separate.