Not Many Hair-Loss Products Actually Work, But I Can Confirm These Trichologist-Backed Ones Do

As a beauty editor who has experienced hair loss firsthand, I know how distressing it can be. There are tonnes of products for hair loss and hair growth out there, which can not only make it extremely tricky to choose from, but also to know for sure what actually works (and where to invest your money). And while I'd always recommend seeing a trichologist as an ideal first port of call when treating hair loss, booking in for an expensive clinic consultation is not always feasible for most.

So, I've asked Anabel Kingsley, consultant trichologist and brand president for Philip Kingsley, to share everything you need to know about hair loss and what to look for when buying products for hair loss. Ahead, I've shared some of the products I've been recommended for hair loss over the years that I've tried firsthand.

What to Look For

Hair loss is a complicated topic (we've covered some of the most common FAQs below), and most trichologists will recommend prescription medications to treat signs of hair loss. "For female pattern hair loss, minoxidil is one of the most effective products and tends to be prescription-only," says Kingsley.

"If you do not wish to use Minoxidil and prefer to go down a less medicated route, topical melatonin and caffeine may help," she says. "Shampooing a few times a week with an anti-fungal shampoo can also help. From Philip Kinglsey, we have our Density Drops (£50) and Density Toner (£21). I like to use them in tandem, applying one in the morning and one at night."

While it can be tempting to follow TikTok trends and viral products, trichologists advise otherwise. "I wouldn’t recommend rosemary oil, as the one study conducted was very flawed. Anyone with ongoing hair loss should see their doctor, dermatologist or trichologist for a blood test to ensure that an unresolved internal factor isn’t contributing," says Kingsley.

Similarly, if a hair loss product sounds too good to be true, it probably is. "My general advice when selecting hair growth products is to always look at what the brand is saying and their marketing messaging," says Kingsley. "Misleading claims are an indication that their products are not trustworthy. Things like promising regrowth in less than three months, using before and after photos of patchy hair loss or claiming a peptide blend, rosemary oil or castor oil will cure female pattern hair loss are good indications you should look elsewhere," she says.

Best Products for Hair Loss

1. Best Supplement: Viviscal Hair Supplement (£57)
2. Best Shampoo: Philip Kingsley Flaky/Itchy Scalp Shampoo (£30)
3. Best Hair Serum: UKHair Hair Growth Serum (£40)
4. Best Prescription Product: Hair + Me The Drops for Hair Growth (£35)
5. Best Affordable Buy: The Ordinary Multi-Peptide Serum for Hair Density (£21)

1. Viviscal Hair Supplement

2. Philip Kingsley Flaky/Itchy Scalp Anti-Dandruff Shampoo

3. UKHair Hair Growth Serum

4. Hair + Me The Drops for Hair Growth

5. Philip Kingsley Density Scalp Drops

6. The Ordinary Multi-Peptide Serum for Hair Density

7. Nécessaire Rosemary Shampoo

8. Hair Gain Gummies

9. K18 Leave-In Molecular Repair Hair Mask

What Causes Hair Loss?

"There are many different types of hair loss, but the two that most commonly impact women are female pattern hair loss and telogen effluvium (excessive daily hair shedding)," says Kingsley. "Hair loss in women is often multi-faceted. Menstruation, hormonal shifts during perimenopause and menopause, as well as the medications we take, like oral contraceptive pills, can all impact our hair," she says. "Societal pressures regarding women’s bodies can also contribute; crash dieting and restrictive eating are common causes of hair loss."

Common triggers are:

• -Vitamin and mineral deficiencies: "Particularly in women, iron and ferritin (stored iron) deficiency are very common due to monthly blood loss from our periods," says Kingsley. "You are more prone to iron/ferritin deficiency if you have heavy periods, which often occurs alongside conditions like endometriosis and adenomyosis."
• Illnesses such as the flu, covid or pneumonia
• Any high fever
• Surgery under general anaesthesia
• Miscarriage
• Childbirth
• Medication changes: "Anything that rapidly manipulates hormone levels, like starting or stopping an oral contraceptive pill or drugs given in preparation for egg/embryo freezing," says Kingsley.
• Hormonal changes during perimenopause and menopause
• Intense stress, bereavement or shock
• Thyroid disorders
• Rapid weight loss, or restrictive eating
• Certain medications

Types of Hair Loss

As Kingsley mentioned above, there are several types of hair loss, but two of the most common types in women are female pattern hair loss (FPHL) and telogen effluvium (TV).

Female Pattern Hair Loss

"Female pattern hair loss is a slow and progressive loss of hair density on the scalp. Hair follicles gradually shrink and hairs become shorter and finer with each growth cycle, leading to increased scalp visibility," says Kingsley.

"It usually affects the top of our scalp and, unlike with men, is more spread out and doesn’t cause actual bald patches. FPHL is linked to genes, and we are just beginning to understand the driving factors. For some, it can be due to an excess of male hormones (such as androgens or testosterone, as is seen with polycystic ovary syndrome), but more commonly, it’s simply that hair follicles are sensitive to normal levels of androgens. It has also been postulated that FPHL can be influenced by the ratio of our estrogen to testosterone levels," she says. Lifestyle and environmental factors, as well as age, can play a part too.

Telogen Effluvium

"Telogen effluvium (TE) is not genetic and can impact anyone of any age. It’s a reactive hair loss that occurs about 2-4 months after the event that caused it," says Kingsley.

"Hair is an excellent barometer of general health, and it is very sensitive to internal fluxes. Being non-essential tissue, our bodies give it the last priority. Hair cells are also the second-fastest dividing cells our bodies produce, making their energy requirements incredibly high," she says.

"Because of this, hair shedding is often one of the first signs of an underlying imbalance. Some cases of TE self-correct if the trigger was transient, like a high fever," she says. "But other cases can be ongoing, like from nutritional deficiencies or thyroid imbalances, and do need the underlying cause found and treated."

How to Treat Hair Loss

Generally speaking, you'll find that most trichologists will treat hair loss holistically, both with treatments and by assessing your overall health. "The hair follicle is a reactive, sensitive mini organ that is incredibly in-tune to our general health, as well as to the health of the tissue supporting it (i.e., our scalp!)" says Kingsley. "Hair loss is often due to more than one thing, and to treat it effectively, you must look at the whole picture—scalp health, diet, stress levels, oxidative stress, genetics, general health, and, of course, the quality and condition of hair," she says.

"While certain types of hair loss, like female pattern hair loss, are largely genetic, optimising all variables that can impact hair growth will give you the best results from any topical or oral treatments you use. Like with skincare, it’s not just about the creams and serums you use on your face, but how you are looking after your body," she says.

"There are also types of hair loss—like those resulting from iron, ferritin, vitamin D or vitamin B12 deficiency, underactive thyroid and stress—that cannot be treated simply by using a product. You need to find the cause and address it with relevant medications, supplements and/or dietary and lifestyle changes," says Kingsley.

"Treatment varies depending on what type of hair loss you have. So, finding out exactly what type of hair loss you have is the first step. Is it female pattern hair loss or telogen effluvium—or both? Perhaps it’s neither of these. I’d suggest going to a trichologist or your dermatologist if you are concerned. I understand that not everyone is able to do this, so here are some clues," says Kingsley.

How to Work Out Type of Hair Loss

"If handfuls of hair are coming out each day from all over your scalp, it is likely you have telogen effluvium," says Kingsley. "This can cause as many as three times the normal amount of hair to come out per day, so 300 vs 100," she says. "Sometimes there’s an obvious trigger, like being unwell 2-4 months prior, or starting a medication. This type of TE usually stops on its own and doesn’t need treatment. That said, it does really help to take an active role in your recovery—plus there are certain topicals that can help keep hairs in the growth phase for longer, which does lead to a decrease in shedding and helps your hair recover faster," says Kingsley.

"If there’s no obvious cause for your TE, and/or it has been going on for more than 4-6 months, see your GP for blood tests," she says.

"If you haven’t experienced obvious extra shedding but suddenly find your scalp is more visible over the top/crown and/or your parting is wider, this is a good indication of female pattern hair loss," says Kingsley. "The most well-researched and effective treatment for FPHL is Minoxidil—either topical or oral," she says. "You do have to be consistent as it only works for as long as you use it and, if you stop, your hair will revert to its former density and then continue to decline."

Treatments for Hair Loss

"As female pattern hair loss is progressive, it’s important to treat it from the get-go with evidence-based ingredients—don’t jump on the latest Instagram trend," says Kingsley.

"I prefer topical minoxidil as it has fewer risks of side effects and it can be compounded with other hair supportive actives like hormones, anti-androgens and/or anti-inflammatory ingredients," she says.

"For telogen effluvium, do not use minoxidil. This can make your hair shedding much worse and usually isn’t necessary or recommended," says Kingsley. "Instead, use a blend with peptides and ingredients such as melatonin, caffeine, sandalore, anti-inflammatories and antioxidants."

Anti-androgens can also support hair loss treatment. "For hair loss from PCOS, spironolactone can help, as can certain oral contraceptive pills. For this, you need to speak to your GP or dermatologist as it isn’t suitable for everyone and carries a risk of side effects," says Kingsley.

"Anyone’s hair will benefit from eating well, managing stress and looking after the scalp. A flaky scalp and scalp inflammation can contribute to hair loss, so it’s important to shampoo regularly and address scalp issues, like dandruff and seborrhoeic dermatitis," she says. "If you have hair loss occurring in patches, or your hair loss is accompanied by scalp pain, redness or inflammation, you should see a specialist."