We've all been drawn in by the marketing spiel... products that promise to "give you younger-looking skin" or "achieve plumper lips in one week" constantly vie for our attention on every screen we look at.
The hair industry, especially the hair loss sector, is no different. So how do you separate fact from fiction amid the bold claims that companies can "grow your hair back in 3 months"? This blog post is here to save you time, money, and disappointment by helping you spot the red flags.
The rise of 'snake oil' products
A very quick history lesson... the term 'snake oil' originated in the 19th century when oils were touted as being 'cure-all' remedies for various ailments and illnesses. The salesmen claimed they contained exotic ingredients such as Chinese snake oil, however most were entirely ineffective or fake. So 'snake oil' is now used to describe treatments that are of little or no use in the modern world, despite their bold and sometimes wild claims.
The desire for a quick fix for hair loss has led to a deluge of dubious products entering the market, with little scientific evidence to back them up. The results are often anecdotal, and with no serious studies to support their claims, this leaves people vulnerable to misleading promises and expensive, ineffective treatments.
So what can we do to protect ourselves from these so-called 'miracle products'?
Watch out for the marketing speak
We all know that the point of marketing and advertising is to coax you into making a purchase. There's nothing wrong with that of course, every business exists to provide a product or service to its customers and communicate the benefits of that through its marketing activities. But when the claims can't be backed up, that's when things become a bit sketchy and we need to be on our guard.
Here are just a few things to be aware of when considering hair growth products:
• Use of 'over-the-top' words – such as "miracle," "instant," or "guaranteed results"
• Time-sensitive claims – such as "see instant results" or "notice the difference after just 7 days"
• Celebrity and influencer endorsements – don't forget these people are being paid to tell you how great the product is
• Vague ingredient list – don't fall for the buzzwords, look for effective and scientifically proven ingredients in the products you're looking at
Misleading before and after photos
We all know we shouldn't believe everything we see, and the classic before-and-after shots of hair growth are often manipulated with tricks like lighting, angles, and even photo editing to exaggerate results and make products seem more effective than they actually are. Keep your wits about you when it comes to these types of photos, and bear in mind that if it's too good to be true, it probably is.
The science bit
Ingredients such as biotin, caffeine, rosemary oil and many others, are constantly being bandied around with little scientific evidence to prove their effectiveness. Let's look at these main ones in a little more detail:
Biotin – often promoted as a supplement to boost hair growth, however, unless you have been tested and are deficient in biotin and need to take it to improve your levels, overuse can have a negative effect on your hair growth
Caffeine – it's claimed that caffeine can stimulate hair growth however there is very little evidence to support the effectiveness of this in shampoos – some would need to be used every 2 hours for the active ingredient to have even the smallest chance of working
Rosemary oil – is thought to improve circulation and stimulate blood flow to the scalp, however it has no clinical evidence to prove it helps with hair growth and can clog the hair follicles and cause them to become inflamed if applied incorrectly
Positive results from those who have tried 'at-home' remedies often occur simply because hair re-growth happens naturally, coinciding with the use of the treatment.
For instance, if someone experiences hair loss due to Telogen Effluvium (a type of alopecia that leads to short-term hair loss but typically resolves itself within six months) and begins using one of these 'miracle' products in the first month, any subsequent hair growth might be mistakenly attributed to the product rather than the natural recovery process from the Telogen Effluvium.
In summary
When it comes to hair growth treatments, it’s essential to approach these big promises with a healthy dose of scepticism. Look for well-established products backed by scientific research rather than flashy marketing claims. Scientific studies really are the only way to prove whether ingredients and products truly work. They will undergo rigorous testing and clinical trials to measure effectiveness and above all, safety. Without these, consumers are just left guessing, and susceptible to marketing tactics rather than actual proven results.
For medical treatments such as Minoxidil, Finasteride, and Dutasteride, it’s best to look for guidance from a professional Dermatologist or Trichologist who can tailor their recommendations to your specific needs and diagnosis.
Real results take time, patience, and consistency, and working with trusted professionals guarantees that your decisions are based on sound evidence rather than just optimistic advertising.
Knowing more about how the hair growth cycle works will help you identify what products and treatments may or may not be effective. Broaden your knowledge by having a read of the following blog posts: Understanding the causes of hair loss