Custom Topical Solution

Custom Topical Hair Loss Formula UK (100ml)

Build a bespoke topical hair loss solution in one 100ml TrichoSol® bottle. Combine finasteride, dutasteride, minoxidil, tretinoin, melatonin and spironolactone at strengths a UK prescriber approves for your hair loss pattern. From £70 per bottle (roughly three months of daily use at 1ml per day). Compounded fresh in the UK by a GPhC registered partner pharmacy, delivered discreetly.

100ml UK, compounded fresh to your prescription

Every custom topical bottle is prepared to order in the UK by a GPhC registered partner pharmacy in the TrichoSol® base from Fagron. Nothing sits on a shelf; the exact formula you and your prescriber agree on is made when you order, at the strength approved for your case. One 100ml bottle covers roughly three months of daily use at 1ml per day.

How our custom topical compound works

Standard hair loss treatments come in fixed formulations: minoxidil 5%, finasteride 1%, and so on. Real hair loss rarely responds neatly to a fixed dose. Some people plateau at 5% minoxidil and need 10%. Some men want finasteride and minoxidil in one application. Some women want spironolactone plus a growth stimulator without oral hormones.

Compounding lets your prescriber build a formula that hits every mechanism your pattern needs, in one bottle, at strengths tailored to you. No more juggling multiple bottles. No more compromising on strength because that is what the shelf sells.

Ingredients you can combine

Every ingredient below can be included alone or combined with others in a single 100ml bottle. Your prescriber will confirm which combinations are appropriate on review.

Important: our compounded formulas allow ONE DHT blocker per bottle. Choose either finasteride or dutasteride as your primary DHT blocker, never both. Melatonin and spironolactone also have mild DHT blocking activity and can either act as your primary DHT blocker on their own, or be added on top of finasteride or dutasteride as supporting actives. Every other ingredient below (minoxidil, tretinoin, niacinamide, vitamin E and the rest) can be combined freely.

Topical finasteride (DHT blocker)

Blocks Type II 5-alpha reductase in the scalp, so DHT levels at the follicle drop. Applied topically, systemic exposure is a fraction of what oral finasteride produces. Typically compounded at 0.25% up to 1%. Male pattern hair loss first-line for men avoiding oral finasteride.

Topical dutasteride (stronger DHT blocker)

Blocks both Type I and Type II 5-alpha reductase, so DHT suppression is more complete than finasteride. Applied topically at 0.025% up to 0.2%. For men who have plateaued on topical or oral finasteride and want stronger DHT reduction without moving to oral dutasteride.

Topical minoxidil (growth stimulator)

Prolongs the anagen (growth) phase of the hair cycle and improves microcirculation. Standard 5%, escalation to 10% or 15% for non-responders. The most researched active for hair loss. Pairs well with any DHT blocker; nothing else stimulates growth as reliably.

Tretinoin (improves minoxidil response)

Retinoic acid at 0.01% up to 0.05% added to the formula raises sulphotransferase activity in the scalp, which is the enzyme that converts topical minoxidil to its active form. Around 30 to 40% of people are low sulphotransferase converters; tretinoin can rescue minoxidil response in this group.

Melatonin (antioxidant follicle support)

Melatonin at 0.1% acts as an antioxidant in the follicle environment. Some evidence suggests it prolongs the anagen phase. Note: melatonin is not a DHT blocker; it is best used as adjunct support alongside a DHT directed active or minoxidil. Popular for women with diffuse thinning.

Spironolactone (topical anti-androgen)

Blocks androgen receptors in the scalp at 2%, so DHT cannot deliver its miniaturising signal. Primarily used for female pattern hair loss. Topical application avoids the hormonal side effects that limit oral spironolactone. Contains a distinctive sulphur note that fades on drying.

How the builder works

1. Start the configurator: click Build My Formula. The step by step builder walks you through base, ingredients and concentrations.
2. Choose your ingredients: pick any combination of the actives above. See a live price and formula summary as you go.
3. Complete the medical questionnaire: a short online health assessment. No video call, no long form.
4. Prescriber review: a UK prescriber reviews your formula, medical history and photos. Most approvals are the same day. If the prescriber suggests adjustments, they will contact you.
5. Compounded fresh, delivered: your unique 100ml bottle is prepared in a GPhC registered UK partner pharmacy and delivered free.

Why compound over off-the-shelf

• One bottle, multiple actives: no juggling three or four separate products. One application, once daily.
• Strengths tailored to you: off-the-shelf minoxidil is 2% or 5%. Compounded goes up to 15% for non-responders. Same for every active.
• TrichoSol® base: propylene glycol free and low alcohol; better tolerated than standard vehicles that cause scalp irritation.
• Fresh, not sitting on a shelf: compounded when you order, so no stability compromise from storage.
• Prescriber guided: your formula is reviewed and approved, not chosen without professional input. If the combination is unsafe or unlikely to work, the prescriber will tell you and suggest alternatives.

What to expect

Timelines depend on which ingredients you choose, but the general shape:

• 4 to 8 weeks: initial shedding is normal if minoxidil is included. Reduced shedding is often the first sign of DHT blockers working.
• 3 to 6 months: visible thickening judged. Most trials assess response at this point.
• 12 months: full effect. Results maintained with continued daily use.
• On stopping: hair gained is gradually lost as the active mechanisms disappear from the scalp.

Consistency matters more than perfection. Daily application is the single biggest predictor of outcome, regardless of formula.

Side effects

Side effects of the Custom Topical Solution depend on which active ingredients you have chosen. In general, applying to the scalp reduces systemic absorption compared with oral tablets, and the TrichoSol® base by Fagron avoids the propylene glycol and high alcohol content that causes irritation with standard vehicles.

Common across most combinations

• Mild scalp irritation, redness or itching after application
• Initial hair shedding in the first 4 to 8 weeks if minoxidil is included. Temporary and a normal sign the treatment is working

By ingredient

• Finasteride or dutasteride: low but non-zero risk of systemic sexual side effects (reduced libido, erectile dysfunction, changes to ejaculation)
• Minoxidil: localised facial hair by contact transfer if solution reaches the face; very rare palpitations at topical doses
• Spironolactone: distinctive sulphur smell during application (fades on drying); rare systemic effects at topical doses
• Tretinoin: increased scalp sensitivity to sunlight; local peeling or flaking in the first few weeks

When to seek urgent medical advice

• Signs of allergic reaction: facial or lip swelling, difficulty breathing, rash
• Persistent mood change or thoughts of self-harm (if finasteride or dutasteride included)
• Significant chest pain, palpitations or breathlessness

Contact your prescriber before stopping if you notice any side effect, so the individual ingredient causing it can be identified and adjusted rather than the whole formula stopped.

Who should not use a custom topical compound

• Not suitable during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Formulas containing finasteride, dutasteride or spironolactone can affect a male foetus.
• Known allergy to any active ingredient in your chosen formula.
• Do not apply to broken skin or an inflamed scalp; wait for the scalp to heal first.
• Under 18.
• Anyone with a specific medical condition flagged by your prescriber as incompatible with a chosen active.

Warnings and precautions

• Ingredient specific warnings: each active carries its own considerations. Your prescriber will flag anything specific to your chosen combination on review.
• Contact transfer: do not touch your face after applying without washing your hands. Do not let the solution drip onto your forehead or temples if minoxidil is included.
• Combining with oral treatments: if you already take oral finasteride, oral dutasteride or oral spironolactone, tell the prescriber. Adding the same class topically increases systemic exposure.
• Start simple: if this is your first topical, a two ingredient combination is easier to troubleshoot than a five ingredient stack. Add ingredients on reorder if the base combination is well tolerated.
• Formula changes on reorder: you can adjust ingredients or strengths on your next order, subject to fresh prescriber review.

Prescription review process

A UK GPhC registered prescriber reviews your medical questionnaire, hair loss photos and your proposed formula. Review usually completes the same day you submit. If the prescriber has questions or wants to adjust anything, they contact you before dispensing. There is no cost for the review and no video call required.

Prescription included

Complete the short online health questionnaire at checkout. A UK prescriber reviews your answers; most approvals are the same day. Your bottle is compounded fresh in the UK by a GPhC registered partner pharmacy and delivered free.