With tens of millions of people affected by hair loss worldwide, demand for treatments continues to surge — but specialists are warning that the most talked-about solutions online may not always be the safest. According to a specialist at Harley Street Hair Clinic, many people are beginning hair loss treatments based on online trends and social media recommendations without fully understanding the potential health implications. “The products getting the most mentions online aren’t necessarily the safest ones,” the specialist warned. “Some are prescription drugs made for completely different conditions. Others are marketed directly to consumers without much safety data.” The clinic reviewed the ten most searched-for hair loss treatments to identify risks that people should be aware of before starting any intervention. “We’re seeing people start hair loss treatments based on online recommendations without understanding the potential risks,” the expert added. Prescription oral medications under scrutiny Oral medications such as minoxidil, finasteride, dutasteride and ketoconazole attract more than 2.8 million searches a month combined. While widely used, they are not without drawbacks. Up to a quarter of users taking minoxidil may experience unwanted hair growth on the face or body, while between 2% and 4% of people using finasteride or dutasteride report sexual side effects. Oral ketoconazole also carries an FDA warning related to liver damage and may interact with other medications. “These are prescription medications, some originally developed for other conditions,” the clinic noted. “Our biggest concern is that a few side effects may continue even after stopping the…
