Hair growth is alway a hot topic in the beauty world. We are inundated with new launches and hacks that claim to stimulate growth like clever scalp serums and incorporating rosemary oil into your weekly hair care routine. But, while most for these really help with keeping your scalp nice and healthy and in turn can improve hair growth, there is little science behind them actually changing your hair growth cycle.
Ask any pro and they'll say the best thing for hair growth is Minoxidil. But up until now, while widely used and available in the States, getting hold of Minoxidil in the UK hasn't been that easy. Just a few products contain it, and products aimed at women? Even fewer. But now, it's kinda easier than ever, thanks to Hair + Me, the new prescription service from Skin + Me.
The brand have opted for offering either topical drops or edible capsules for the service, both of which contain Minoxidil as a key ingredient. But how does the subscription actually work? And how long until you start seeing results? We got to test the service for two months ahead of launch to find out everything you need to know. But first, a lil science refresher.
What is minoxidil and how does it work?
Like most products for hair growth, Minoxidil works by increasing blood flow to the hair follicles but think of it as an amped up version. It reverses follicle miniaturisation (the part of the hair cycle that makes hair shorter). It stimulates the follicles to enter the growth phase too and so extends the growth phase of each follicle. Thanks to this, both hair regrowth and increased hair density are often seen with minoxidil use.
How long do you have to take Minoxidil?
When we quizzed the brand about this they said, "Pattern hair loss is a chronic condition, meaning that once a meaningful result has been achieved with minoxidil, you should continue with the medication to maintain the results. Typically, we recommend using it for at least 3-6 months to see an initial response." So while the prescription isn't initially super spenny at just £14.99 per month for the first three months, it increases to £34.99 per month and it is a commitment to keep up the hair growth/halting hair loss.
How long before you will see a difference?
You may notice a difference within two and four months of consistent use. However, full results can take six months or more. It’s important to remain patient, as hair growth is a gradual process, and individual responses may vary.
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Hair + Me review
Meg, Cosmo's Video Lead received a monthly supply of the Hair + Me capsules. Alongside minoxidil, the capsules contain finasteride and dutasteride. Both are powerful ingredients to help slow down and block hair loss triggering cycles. The drops, which are applied topically, contain minoxidil and finasteride as well as melatonin, urea and niacinamide.
The brand state, "Currently, you will receive either the capsules or the drops, depending on which treatment pathway your pharmacist prescriber determines is best suited to you based on the information provided during the consultation. You can also specify your preference for capsules or drops during your initial online consultation." Here's what Meg thought of the process...
"I turned 30 and my hair decided to celebrate by packing its bags and leaving, starting at my hairline and temples. Of course, all the most obvious spots you can visibly see with the naked eye. Typical. After a year of pure chaos, personally (moving house, changing jobs, and switching cities), the stress finally caught up with me… via my scalp.
I've always had long hair and it's always been a part of my identity. So, noticing my hair thinning around my face was gut punch and it really made me worried about what's to come. So I wanted to see if I could stop it before it got worse.
Previously, I tried numerous hair growth vitamins as well as applying natural rosemary oil to the affected areas. I wanted to be patient, but the effects were not visible enough after months of trying.
I really liked the sound of Hair + Me, it’s science-backed and tailored to your personal hair needs thanks to the access to derms via your consultation. The process was simple.
- Answer questions about your hair issues
- Upload some very flattering scalp selfies (yay)
- A dermatologist reviews it and gives you a personalised plan
My suggested treatment was the capsules and once they arrived, I was excited to give it a go. I’m not gonna lie, the first few weeks were rough. My hair actually started shedding a bit more, which felt like the opposite of what I signed up for. But apparently, that’s normal. The dermatologist told me that essentially this is the formula working by kicking out weaker hairs to make room for stronger ones. While this lasted a couple of weeks for me, according to info I received it can last up to six.
Once I got over the initial horror of continuing to watch my hair disappear down the drain, I realised that it was actually working. Around the seven to eight week mark, I spotted tufts of baby hairs sprouting up around my hairline and crown."
The Verdict
"Now after a few months of use, my hair feels healthier and most importantly I've definitely noticed more growth and way less shedding. I feel like I’ve hit the reset button on my scalp and the new growth has given me the confidence boost I needed.
Minoxidil is considered generally safe for long-term use and the effects are not permanent and may stop or reverse if treatment is stopped, potentially leading to hair loss returning. I have personally chosen to use the product for 6 months, to kickstart my hair re-growth and then will continue with over-the-counter hair vitamins for maintenance when I stop as continuing the subscription indefinitely feels a bit spenny for me.
I would definitely recommend Hair + Me for hair growth support. If you’ve noticed thinning and want to avoid the rabbit hole of sketchy hair products and hack, this is a solution. Just remember, it’s a marathon, not a sprint!"
Click here for more info on Hair + Me
Keeks Reid is the Beauty Director at Cosmopolitan UK. While she loves all things beauty, Keeks is a hair fanatic through and through. She started her career in beauty journalism in 2013 as editorial assistant at Blackhair and Hair magazines working her way to Acting Editor of Blackhair magazine at 23 years old. She spent much of her career working in trade hairdressing media at Hairdressers Journal, Salon International and the British Hairdressing Awards. Which is why she is a regular contributor to Cosmo's Curl Up franchise. Now, alongside her Cosmo work, she presents, creates content on social media and works with a range of beauty companies; from magazines and websites to beauty brands and salons.
