Science
The science behind hair growth
What is well established, what is emerging, and how to tell the difference when reading product claims.
The hair cycle
Every follicle moves through a long growth phase, a short transition phase and a resting phase before shedding. Healthy scalps shed hair daily; what matters is whether shed hairs are being replaced at the same calibre.
Androgenetic hair loss
In pattern hair loss, sensitive follicles progressively shorten their growth phase. Hairs emerge finer and shorter over successive cycles until they become difficult to see. This is why early action is discussed so often.
DHT and follicle sensitivity
Dihydrotestosterone is an androgen implicated in pattern hair loss. Sensitivity is largely inherited, which is why the pattern often runs in families and why outcomes differ so much between individuals.
Reading a claim carefully
A laboratory result is not a clinical outcome, and a cosmetic claim about appearance is not a medical claim. We state which kind of evidence supports each ingredient rather than blurring the categories.
This content is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Speak with a qualified healthcare professional about your individual situation.