Hair loss products: what to know before using them

Shampoos and conditioners mainly cleanse, moisturise or reduce friction; they do not diagnose why hair is shedding. Leave-on products can irritate the scalp, especially when used more often or in larger amounts than directed. A product cannot reliably address every cause, such as Alopecia Areata, Telogen Effluvium, Traction Alopecia or Scalp Ringworm.

Read the full ingredient list and check whether the product is intended for the scalp or the hair shaft. Be cautious with vague promises, strong fragrances and mixtures that make it hard to identify an irritant.

Photograph the scalp before starting, follow the label, wash your hands after application and keep the product away from the eyes. Stop and seek advice for swelling, blistering, severe burning or a spreading rash. If thinning follows a temple-and-crown pattern, discuss Male Pattern Hair Loss and established options such as Finasteride Treatment with a dermatologist rather than stacking several products.

Book an assessment for sudden shedding, smooth patches, scalp tenderness, heavy scale, broken hairs or loss of eyebrows. These features can signal a condition needing targeted treatment. Continued loss despite careful use also deserves review, because changing products repeatedly can delay diagnosis.

What is the likely cause of my loss? Is this product suitable for my scalp? Which ingredients should I avoid? How will we judge whether it is helping, and when should I stop or change it?