Written by Menswear Style in Hair on the 8th October 2019

Freshman exists to revolutionise hair loss prevention and make future hair loss a thing of the past. Their mission is to make future hair loss a thing of the past. Here in the UK there are over 8 million men suffering from male pattern hair loss. In fact, two thirds of men will experience some degree of hair loss by age 35. They only offer medically proven hair loss treatments (Minoxidil and Finasteride) that are both FDA- and MHRA-approved.

These treatments have been extensively tested and their effectiveness has been established in rigorous clinical studies. Each customer is assessed by a qualified clinician before educating them on how to use the products and how soon they can expect results. Freshman customers can get treated from the comfort of their home and products are delivered in travel-friendly sizes which fit through your letterbox, with a subscription refill sent automatically each month.

They’re backed by the Founders Factory which is a venture accelerator that helps young, passionate businesses to build and scale, and Specialist Pharmacy which is a UK-registered pharmacy with a strong track record of sourcing and supplying the best treatments for a range of issues. Every customer of Freshman therefore has the benefit of knowing that their treatments have been dispensed from a fully regulated pharmacy with strict quality controls. 

“I worried about losing my hair for many years and freaked out when I saw the first signs. I eventually got over my shame and fear and visited a certain well-known London hair loss clinic that advertises frequently on the Tube. Their 'free consultation' was unpleasant and so obviously a high-pressure sales pitch rather than an actual medical consultation. When they quoted their price to me my eyes instantly started watering. I realised that there must be a better way,” says Co-Founder Pavlo Maherovsky.

“I think hair loss is a sensitive area for a lot of guys because it's such a clear sign that a man is ageing. Having hair is associated with youth, vigour and virility and so losing it implies that you've lost those things. That's very unfair to guys who aren't blessed with an everlasting mane but luckily there are tried-and-tested methods for slowing down and reversing hair loss that any guy can access,” he adds. 

Minoxidil and Finasteride 

Freshman’s unique Minoxidil solution does not contain alcohol and propylene glycol, which are commonly found in other Minoxidil solutions. Alcohol and propylene glycol have been known to cause dandruff, irritation and itchiness of the scalp. Additionally, their solution dries faster after being applied to the scalp, meaning that you don’t have to walk around all day with sticky, greasy-looking hair.

“Minoxidil and Finasteride both have different mechanism of action - which is why they can be used in combination. Minoxidil improves blood flow to your hair follicles and ensures they continue to receive adequate nutrients. That's why it's more effective for preventing and reversing the emergence of bald spots. The top of your head was worse circulation and tends to lose hair faster as a result,” says Pavlo. “Finasteride works on a hormonal level to reduce the body's conversion of dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which is the molecule ultimately responsible for male baldness. It's more effective at preventing and reversing hair loss on your forehead,” he explains further.

How quickly will you see results? 

When you sign up, you will get a same-day decision from a medical professional on whether Freshman’s treatments are right for you. If successful, a treatment plan will be prescribed to you which will arrive discreetly through your door within just a few days. Our customers see results from as little as three months, but it typically takes between 3-6 months to see the full effect of the treatments. And if you’re not sure whether you should start using this type of product, it is worth noting that male pattern baldness is a process by which hair follicles slowly shrink and die. Once they're dead - that's it. So, your best bet is to start early and focus on keeping the hair follicles that you have.

What causes hair loss? 

There’s lots of reasons for why someone might lose their hair, but for guys by far the most common cause is what’s called androgenetic alopecia, or male pattern baldness. Not surprisingly, it’s mostly caused by the hormones that make men, well, men. One of their side effects is to cause the progressive thinning of the hair around the temples and crown that a majority of men experience at some point in their lives. If left untreated, it will often result in complete baldness at the crown of the head. This differs a lot from guy-to-guy and genetics plays a big role in whether and to what extent you experience it.

How can hair loss be prevented? 

Freshman’s scientifically proven medical-grade products constitute the only prevention plan that’s proven to work for hair loss. There are a lot of questionable products out there claiming that they can prevent or even reverse hair loss, but the results have not been demonstrated in proper clinical trials. Often these companies rely on anecdotes or point to some dodgy looking ‘before and after’ pictures as evidence that their products work, but in truth this is no proof at all. When it comes to hair loss prevention, these products are the only ones whose effectiveness has been demonstrated beyond doubt in rigorous clinical trials. They are considered the first line treatment for male pattern baldness according to European Dermatology Forum guidelines.

MenswearStyle have been lucky enough to secure an exclusive £5 discount code off Freshman treatments for the first 50 of our readers using code: menswearstyle5

We interview Pavlo Maherovsky about his brand Freshman which is a Hair Loss Treatment brand using Minoxidil and Finasteride, backed by Specialist Pharmacy and Founders Factory.