A 31-year-old British teacher tragically took his own life just weeks after moving to Dubai, following the use of a powerful hair-loss drug not approved for that purpose in the UK, an inquest has revealed.
Sam Applegarth, a physical education teacher from Outwood near Wakefield, was found hanged in his Dubai apartment on September 19, 2024. The inquest, held at Wakefield Coroner’s Court, concluded that Applegarth died by suicide. His death came just five weeks after relocating to the United Arab Emirates in what his family described as a promising new chapter in his career.
Applegarth had long struggled with hair loss, beginning at age 22. Over the years, he sought various treatments including hair transplant surgery, scalp micropigmentation (tattooing), and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy. He was also a long-time user of minoxidil and finasteride, both commonly prescribed for hair loss, with no reported side effects.
In July 2024, shortly before moving to Dubai, he had his final consultation with Dr. Bessam Farjo, a trichologist at the Farjo Hair Institute in Manchester. Dr. Farjo described him as “happy with the overall appearance” of his hair restoration results but noted that Applegarth had an “exaggerated view” of the impact of his hair loss and had advised him to consider cognitive therapy.
The inquest heard that after relocating to Dubai, Applegarth began taking dutasteride, a drug more potent than finasteride and not licensed in the UK for hair loss treatment. It is primarily used to treat enlarged prostates. He obtained the drug through an online prescription service. Dr. Farjo was unaware of the change in medication and reported no previous concerns about side effects or mental health issues.
Despite no known clinical data linking dutasteride to suicidal ideation, the coroner noted the drug’s use as a key factor in understanding the timeline leading to Applegarth’s death. He had no history of self-harm, and toxicology results showed no alcohol or recreational drugs in his system at the time of death. No suicide note was left.
Applegarth’s family described him as a “bright and happy” person, and his sudden passing shocked those who knew him. The coroner, Oliver Longstaff, officially ruled his death a suicide.
This tragic case highlights the emotional toll that hair loss can take on individuals, especially younger men, and the potential risks associated with unregulated access to powerful medication for cosmetic concerns. It also underscores the importance of mental health support for individuals undergoing treatment and the need for better awareness of safe options for hair transplant recovery and hair loss therapy.
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