HAIR LOSS

Did you know that 15 million people in the UK currently suffer from hair loss* yet only a small proportion of those affected are doing anything about their concerns? Hairdressers, listen up!

Dr Sharon Wong is holding the first-ever DOSE Symposium alongside Salon International this year. She explains why you should be adding scalp services to your menu in 2025:

“Hair and scalp education is not routinely taught in hairdressing training yet it is the very material and surface handled by hairdressers. With the rise in ‘skinification of hair’ there is also an increasing demand and expectation by consumers. Clients usually have a very unique, long-term and trusted relationship with their hairdressers who would often be the first port of call for initial concerns about their hair or scalp. The hairdressing profession is perfectly placed to promote and reinforce a healthy scalp, providing the best foundation for healthy growth.

As a company founded by a Consultant Dermatologist with 15+ years of clinical experience in treating hair loss and scalp conditions, DOSE’s mission is to bridge the education gap with specialist-led education and encourage collaboration across the wider hair industry with one overriding aim in mind – to promote scalp and hair health for all. And no better opportunity to kickstart the DOSE mission than with our inaugural two-day educational event at Salon International this year. The event will feature topics ranging from common hair and scalp conditions, how to care for the scalp after a hair transplant, incorporating scalp services into the salon, Ozempic hair and menopausal hair changes.”

GLP-1 AGONIS AND HAIR LOSS

Krysia West, hair loss expert and GLOWWA Ambassador says: “In recent years, GLP-1 medications like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro have gained attention for their role in managing type 2 diabetes and supporting weight loss. But a new concern is cropping up in conversations both online and in salons: their impact on hair thinning and hair loss.

GLP-1 medications work by mimicking a hormone that affects blood sugar levels, insulin production and appetite. As a result, many users experience significant weight loss. While that’s a positive outcome for many, rapid weight loss – whether from medication, dieting, or surgery – can sometimes trigger a condition called telogen effluvium, where more hairs than usual enter the shedding phase.

Essentially, the body prioritises vital functions, diverting resources away from “non-essential” systems like hair growth. Nutritional deficiencies, hormonal shifts, and stress (all of which can accompany medical weight loss) can exacerbate the issue. We are seeing examples of this in the salon and in our wider community of professionals. Clients are asking whether there’s a connection, and what they can do. I advise a hair supplement, like GLOWWA, which delivers a powerful combination of nutrients that support healthy hair growth and overall wellbeing.”

EXO GROW

The multi-step ritual begins with the EXO-GROW Scalp Mask, paired with a soothing massage to stimulate micro-circulation and de-stress. Next, the EXO-GROW Shampoo helps prevent follicle shrinkage by boosting antioxidants and revitalising the scalp, then the EXO-GROW Conditioner nourishes the scalp and follicles, while protecting and smoothing cuticles. Finally, EXO-GROW Hair Tonic, a potent exosome-rich formula, stimulates follicles, supports a healthy hair cycle, and promotes fuller, thicker hair. This bio-formula includes the world’s only immune-tolerant exosome substances – which means it works better with each use.

*Based on Wella Master Brand USD sales in the 2023 Salon Hair Care Study for the hair colouring products category published by Kline.

Rachel Valentine L’Oréal Professionnel Colour Hacker and Trichologist

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO A CLIENT DEALING WITH HAIR LOSS?

My biggest piece of advice is to take photos and to track their loss for 10-12 weeks. If they find this getting worse, I would then recommend them booking an appointment with a trichologist.

HOW DO YOU HELP EDUCATE CLIENTS THAT HEALTHY HAIR BEGINS AT THE SCALP?

A great analogy I like to use is ‘treat your scalp as you would your face’. It’s really important to teach your client the importance of instilling a hair routine. Just like with skin, your client's scalp may have different needs throughout the year.

Adam Lukacs, Maria Nila Nordic Ambassador and Celebrity Stylist

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO A CLIENT DEALING WITH HAIR LOSS?

First you need to understand why they’re experiencing hair loss. It could be stress, hormonal changes, medication, or even poor haircare products. Almost every client of mine uses or has been using the Head & Hair Heal series from Maria Nila, including myself. The series uses Piroctone Olamine and natural aloe vera extract which calms dry and itchy scalps and promotes hair growth. The series is also pH-Stabilizing which is important to maintain scalp’s natural balance and prevent dryness and irritation.

HOW DO YOU HELP EDUCATE CLIENTS THAT HEALTHY HAIR BEGINS AT THE SCALP?

Always explain to clients why scalp health is important. As soon as they know the ‘why’, they understand the ‘how’.

I always try to help them visualise the importance. For example, I say ‘think of your scalp as soil in a garden, if the soil is full of build-up, or it's dry or inflamed, not even grass can grow. The same goes for your scalp’. Great scalp health creates an environment where hair can grow healthy.

1 Not a hair regrowth product.

THE HAIR LOSS SHAMPOO

Nioxin Anti-Hair Loss Shampoo and revised iconic range of System Kits nourish the scalp, stimulate the hair follicle at the root and establish the optimum environment for fuller, thicker, healthy-looking hair. This product is specifically formulated to address thinning and hair loss in 12 weeks and clinically proven to grow¹ stronger hair from the root, featuring Nutractive Complex™, a unique blend of Caffeine, Niacinamide and patented Sandalore™ technology.

TRY THE INSIDE OUT METHOD

Centred Tender Love & Hair Supplement, can be used in tandem with the brand’s En Root Scalp Oil and the Squishy Massager. Together they make up the Inside Out method for hair loss and scalp care.

Kieran Tudor, Co-Founder Centred

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO A CLIENT DEALING WITH HAIR LOSS?

First, I’d let them know that they’re not alone, and that there’s always a way forward. Then, slow down and take a holistic view. Hair loss is often a symptom, not the root issue, so it’s important to investigate what might be triggering it, from stress and nutritional deficiencies to hormonal imbalances or thyroid conditions. I always recommend requesting a full blood test from your GP to help rule out any underlying health concerns, such as a thyroid imbalance.

HOW DO YOU HELP EDUCATE CLIENTS THAT HEALTHY HAIR BEGINS AT THE SCALP?

You can’t grow healthy hair in an unhealthy environment. I help clients understand that regular scalp rituals like massage, exfoliation and oiling, with the right professional products, are just as important as what you feed your body internally. We combine this with education around triggers like inflammation and stress, because everything is connected. Supporting the scalp is about more than products, it’s a practice that transforms the health of your hair from the root up.

Alex Burt, Owner Teddy Edwards

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO A CLIENT DEALING WITH HAIR LOSS?

Start early and take it seriously – hair loss is progressive, but it’s also treatable. With ExoGrow, we’re seeing real results using clinical-grade products and non-invasive scalp therapy. The key is acting before the follicles go dormant. Book a consultation, get a plan in place, and stay consistent – we’re here to help clients every step of the way.

HOW DO YOU HELP EDUCATE CLIENTS THAT HEALTHY HAIR BEGINS AT THE SCALP?

We explain that treating the scalp is the foundation of hair recovery and long-term health. Think of your scalp like soil, if it’s clogged, inflamed or undernourished, the hair simply won’t grow well.

With each session, we cleanse, stimulate, and nourish the scalp using medical-grade ingredients and microneedling to boost blood flow and activate growth. Once clients see the improvement in scalp condition, the connection becomes clear to them and they’re on the journey with you.

Deborah Maguire, Trichologist and co-founder of Love Hair in Broadway and Seed & Soul Nutrition for Hair

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO A CLIENT DEALING WITH HAIR LOSS?

The most important thing clients can do is stop Googling and start getting clear, trusted guidance. As a trichologist, my job isn’t just to treat the symptom. It’s to investigate what’s happening beneath the surface so we can give the hair (and the person) what it really needs to heal.

HOW DO YOU HELP EDUCATE CLIENTS THAT HEALTHY HAIR BEGINS AT THE SCALP?

Every single individual hair follicle is a micro-organism with its own blood supply. That’s why in the salon and through Seed & Soul, we treat the scalp like sacred ground, clearing buildup, balancing inflammation, and restoring blood flow so the follicle can function at its full potential.

Mark Blake (MIT WTS IAT), Trichologist & Nioxin Ambassador

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO A CLIENT DEALING WITH HAIR LOSS?

Don’t ignore hair loss. If you are starting to notice your client has more hair loss, get advice from a trichologist and start a hair loss regime as quickly as possible. Hair loss gets worse if left untreated, so doing nothing is going to let the problem get worse. In my experience, when a client visits the salon and is experiencing hair loss unexpectedly, it is usually hormonal, stress, or nutritional reasons.

HOW DO YOU HELP EDUCATE CLIENTS THAT HEALTHY HAIR BEGINS AT THE SCALP?

I say to clients ‘your skin doesn’t end where your hairline starts’, so we need to treat the scalp like the face, which means getting rid of dead skin and exfoliating the scalp in the same way as you would do with the body. I would recommend offering a scalp exfoliation treatment in the salon to revive the scalp and help create the best, clean environment for hair to grow at its best.

THE INTENSE SOOTHER

With its Scalp Advanced range, L’Oréal Professionnel offers a targeted range created to address each of these issues – Anti-Discomfort, Anti-Oiliness, and Anti-Dandruff. The Intense Soother calms and soothes scalp discomfort, including itchiness, burning, and tingling. RRP £24.60

THE HAIR LOSS SUPPLEMENT FOR MEN

GLOWWA HAIR FOOD MENS is a new, targeted daily supplement designed to support fuller, healthier hair in men. Rooted in the brand’s proven inside-out philosophy, GLOWWA MENS delivers results, supporting not only hair health, but mental performance, hormonal balance, and overall confidence. Visible improvements can be seen in as little as 12 weeks of consistent use.

Sarah Louise Keane, SLK bleach expert

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO A CLIENT DEALING WITH HAIR LOSS?

With my female clients, their hair loss issues tend to be related to hormone imbalances or stress. If someone is so stressed they are losing their hair, seeing that hair loss only exacerbates the stress. No stressed person ever wants to hear “chill out”. So, I would always recommend a blood test and getting their hormones checked. Also, swap to a soft bristle brush, sleep with a silk cap or pillowcase and avoid protein-heavy products.