The Lowdown On Modern Hair Loss Treatments - Dependable Or Dupery?

There was a time, not too long ago, when the world of hair loss looked very different. There were the unwanted browser pop-ups, the dodgy tube ads and the DIY cures peddled by Google, not to mention the dubious online advice and the viral TikTok trends.

The good news is that the tide seems to be turning. With more women experiencing hair loss and our collective education around the topic growing, there are more hair loss treatments that really do deliver on their claims. The trick, however, is finding the right solution that works for you.

What's the difference between scalp serums and hair growth oils? Can a hair growth shampoo really work wonders? And how long will it take to see resuls? We quizzed pro trichologists Anabel Kingsley and Sally-Ann Tarver to bring you the legit advice worth bookmarking.

What causes hair loss?

'Nutritional deficiencies, stress, illness, medications, genetic factors, hormonal changes and imbalances are some of the most common causes of hair loss,' says Tarver.

'The causes differ slightly depending on a woman’s age - younger women tend to suffer with low iron or nutritionally related hair loss, as well as hair which does not appear to recover after childbirth.

'Younger women who have developed Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) may suffer hair thinning (Androgenic Alopecia) as one of the symptoms of the disorder. Women in their 40s and 50s are also prone to nutritionally related hair loss but in addition to hormonal issues such as thyroid imbalances,' she continues.

'Genetic (Androgenetic Alopecia) hair loss tends to become more apparent after the menopause following a drop in oestrogen levels. Hair loss due to stress, illness or surgery can affect anyone at any age but the loss is exacerbated where there is an additional underlying condition such as low iron or hypothyroidism.'

'Any topical treatment must be applied daily in order for it to work. It is important to realise that treating hair loss it isn’t simply about the application of topical products,' says Kingsley.

'You must take a holistic approach when addressing any hair loss issue. This involves optimising nutrition and general health, keeping stress levels under-control, and strengthening the condition of your hair with weekly moisturising treatments.

'It is also important to note that the effectiveness of a product it is not just reliant on the ingredients contained. It is heavily dependent on the concentrations of the ingredients, the quality of them and how they are formulated into the product.'

Scalp Drops

'For androgenic alopecia, whereby hair follicles on the scalp are sensitive to normal levels of circulating androgens, topical anti-androgenic scalp drops can be very beneficial. I recommend our Tricho 7 Scalp Drops. They contain stimulating Methyl Nicotinate (a vaso-dilator), and a combination of Zinc Sulphate, Azelaic Acid and Vitamin B16 to help protect hair follicles from the effects of male hormones.'

Philip Kingsley Tricho 7 Scalp Drops - £50 BUY

Lotions

'There is a plethora of lotions for hair loss on the market, pharmaceutical and alternative. Some are more effective than others, some are very user friendly needing only to be applied once daily or every other day, others less so.

'Regaine is the most well-known pharmaceutical treatment for hair loss on the market, but must be used twice a day to see any benefits. It is indicated for Female Pattern Baldness rather than for enhancing the speed of growth. It will have no effect on general hair shedding due to other causes and has a very small risk of side effects.'

Regaine Hair Loss Treatment For Women - SHOP NOW

Laser Phototherapy

'This was once only available to those that had a high disposable income and could afford to visit a clinic and sit under a £40,000 machine to boost hair growth. Home laser therapy machines are affordable and some are as effective as the clinic machines. Laser Phototherapy stimulates microcirculation, oxygen and nutrients to the hair follicle.

'It can help stimulate dormant hair follicles which may not have re-entered the growth phase as well as improving the health and quality of existing hairs. It has been proven to have a stimulatory, therapeutic effect on human hair due to increased blood flow, oxygenation and keratin production. Wearable home laser therapy devices such as the Theradome LH80 PRO Laser Helmet are easy to use, take little effort and are equally effective as a clinical treatment, if not more so, as they can be used more frequently than clinic visits would permit.'

Theradome LH80 PRO Laser Helmet - £749 BUY

Supplements

'Supplements can help to boost hair growth if they contain a balance of the right nutrients that you happen to be deficient in. For example if you are not deficient in Biotin then supplementing with more Biotin will have little effect on your hair.

'Some of the most common deficiencies, which cause slow growing weak hair are iron, zinc, magnesium, Vitamin B12, Vitamin D although it’s best to get a blood test to find out what you actually need and how much rather than just taking large doses of each.'

The Best Hair, Skin And Nail Supplements And Vitamins Worth A Spot In Your Beauty Routine

VIDA GLOW Mango Natural Marine Collagen Supplement

£39 at Selfridges

Collagen might be getting a good rep thanks to the plumping, firming and all-round rejuvenating effect it has on our skin, but we can sometimes forget that collagen carries great benefits for the health of our nails and hair too. This Marine Collagen Powder from Vida Glow comes in five delicious flavours, all you need to do is stir a sachet into your drink and go.

Get Nourished Collagen+ Hair, Skin & Nails

£44 at get-nourished.com

Nourished create 3D printed gummies that sideline the hard-to-swallow nature of normal supplements and are individual to each person. All you have to do is answer a quick quiz on your lifestyle choices and what you want to achieve, choose a flavour, and voila. Personalised (and rather tasty) supplements straight to your door.

The Nue Co Growth Phase Hair Supplements

£65 at Cult Beauty

There are a multitude of reasons that we start to lose volume in our hair, from lifestyle changes to fluctuating hormones, and the fix isn't always quick. We were however suitably impressed by The Nue Co's hair growth supplement, whose clinical studies not only showed increased thickness in existing hair and less shedding, but stronger growth in patches that were previously sparse.

The Beauty Chef Hydration Inner Beauty Boost 500ml

£32 at Feelunique

Drinking collagen isn't for everyone (especially since some of the early options were barely palatable) but this berry flavoured daily drink not only tastes nice, but has one of the best formulas. The vegan blend not only targets skin health (with fruit-based vitamins) but also harnessing bio-fermented ingredients to nourish the gut.

Botanycl Skinclear Elixir

£25 at Boots

If oily skin is your issue, this could be a solution. Formulated specifically to help keep skin clear and calm, the Saw Palmetto Berry Extract is the key ingredient to keep sebum and spots at bay. Even if oily skin isn't your main issue, this is a great option for anyone looking for a vegan skin supplement.

Vitabiotics Perfectil Original Skin, Hair, Nails

£6 at Boots

Don't be fooled by the affordable price tag; these work. With biotin, zinc and selenium all rolled into one daily pill, it's no wonder these went viral on TikTok. They routine is simple and easy to maintain, but you'll be so addicted to the results you won't need another incentive to take them.

Hair Gain Hair Gummies

£30 at Cult Beauty

You can use all the right shampoos and products, but sometimes a little help from within is required to boost healthy hair growth. These (actually quite tasty) gummies aim to stimulate the molecules in the follicles to give hair growth a hefty push. Their clinical study data is pretty impressive as well: 86% of users noticed a significant improvement in their hair.

Beauty Pie Renewed Density Healthy Hair Capsules

£55 at Beauty Pie

If you've got thinning hair, these are definitely worth a try. There's eight hair-loving vitamins packed into each capsule, including biotin, iron and zinc, but the star of the show is one derived from organic pea shoots. Anagain, the powerhouse ingredient, enhances the growth factor of skin cells found deep in the dermis to balance the hair-growth cycle and reduce hair loss over time.

WelleCo The Super Elixir

£63 at Cult Beauty

If it's good enough for Elle Macpherson, it's good enough for us. The original and the best powder beauty supplement The Super Elixir combines vitamins, Chinese herbs, enzymes, super-greens, and pre- and probiotics for an all over health boost.

'Shampoos will not treat a hair loss issue, such as androgenic alopecia. This is because they are not left on the scalp long enough to have a lasting effect on the hair follicle,' explains Anabel. 'I would not recommend purchasing a shampoo that is marketed as a "hair growth shampoo", as this is very misleading.

'However, volumising shampoos can be very beneficial for people with fine or thinning hair as they add immediate volume – and this, very importantly, gives a psychological boost. Look for ingredients such as thickening proteins, which will add immediate bulk to strands.

'That said, frequent shampooing is important to hair growth. This is because it helps to keep the scalp environment clean and in good condition – and a healthy scalp encourages the growth of healthy strands. A flaky scalp can cause hair loss, so it is important to keep your scalp clear. If you have a scaly scalp, look for a shampoo that is specifically geared towards clearing flaking and itching.'

George Driver

Former Senior Digital Beauty Editor

George Driver was the former Senior Beauty Editor - Digital at ELLE UK.

Amelia Bell

Multiplatform Beauty Director

Amelia Bell is the Multiplatform Beauty Director for ELLE UK and Harper’s Bazaar, developing beauty strategy, writing, editing, and commissioning, and leading beauty content across both sites. Amelia has a particular interest in wellness and longevity, exploring the skin-mind connection, and decoding the latest treatments, tweakments and runway trends. She also has bylines for Women's Health, Refinery29, British Vogue, Harrods Magazine, and more.