Hair loss is common, and it’s always good to know that you’re not alone. But honestly, we realise that doesn’t make it any easier to experience.
That experience often differs greatly from person to person. For many people, it begins gradually, but can be anything from a thinning crown, a widening part, or more strands on the pillow in the morning. However, one area where hair loss tends to be similar for everyone is that it can start to affect more than just your scalp over time. Confidence, self-image, and daily routines can all take a hit.
Hair loss rarely has a single cause. It tends to stem from a complex mix of hormones, genetics, inflammation, and scalp health. And because of that, some people will hit a brick wall if their treatment plan is relying on standard over-the-counter solutions.
Hair loss compounding acknowledges the layers of complexity that come from hair loss treatment and provides a way to address these issues with customised medication. Specifically, tailoring treatment to suit the individual’s specific needs can often provide success when commercial products aren’t working.
The Mechanisms Behind Hair Loss
To understand how custom treatments help, we should start with looking at the causes of hair loss in the first place. One of the most well-known contributors is dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a hormone that shrinks hair follicles in conditions like androgenetic alopecia. However, DHT is really only one piece of a much larger puzzle.
In fact, there are several other contributing factors that can be attributed to hair loss. Some of those factors include:
- Reduced blood flow to the scalp, which can deprive hair follicles of essential nutrients
- Chronic inflammation, sometimes tied to skin conditions like seborrheic dermatitis or eczema
- Reactions to topical products, including ingredients that irritate the scalp
- Poor response to treatment, sometimes due to enzyme deficiencies or metabolic factors
Everyone’s biological makeup is different, which means a treatment that works for one person might do little or even cause issues for another. And that’s why the personalisation involved in compounding is so valuable. It allows for meaningful adjustments based on an individual's physiology and tolerances.
Customising Key Ingredients for Greater Effectiveness
Two of the most established ingredients used in hair regrowth are minoxidil and finasteride. While both are proven to be effective, they actually work in fundamentally different ways.
- Minoxidil is typically applied topically and works by increasing blood circulation to the scalp, helping to extend the growth phase of hair follicles.
- Finasteride reduces the conversion of testosterone to DHT, targeting the hormonal pathway that leads to follicle shrinkage.
Compounded treatments can incorporate one or both of these ingredients, and adjust their strengths as needed. But it doesn’t stop there. For instance, a compounding pharmacists can integrate complementary agents that support efficacy or reduce irritation:
- Retinoic acid can be used to help exfoliate the scalp and improve penetration of other topicals.
- Caffeine is being explored for its role in promoting hair shaft thickness and reducing dryness.
- Fluocinolone is sometimes included to control inflammation and calm sensitive scalps.
Successful treatment often comes down to selecting the right combination and concentration of these ingredients. In addition, a pharmacist can look to minimise irritation or addressing hormonal triggers. The result is a formulation that aligns with a patient’s clinical profile.
Delivery Method and Dosage Flexibility
Compounding also offers the flexibility to find the right delivery format. This matters because not only is the best delivery method different for everyone, but delivery of a treatment also greatly impacts how effective and tolerable it is.
To demonstrate this point, let’s take a look at topical application. For some, this works well. For others, it causes itching, flaking, or leaves an unpleasant residue that interferes with daily grooming. Patients in the latter category are highly recommended to seek an alternative delivery method, as sticking with an incompatible format can compromise any chance of treatment success.
With compounding, patients do not have to bear through a medication format that doesn’t work for them. Some common formats available at a compounding pharmacy include:
- Topical liquids, foams, or creams (with or without propylene glycol)
- Capsules or tablets for oral delivery
- Scalp sprays or solutions for targeted application
Although minoxidil is normally applied topically, some people respond better to oral minoxidil. This may be due to variations in enzyme activity that affect how minoxidil is activated at the follicle level. Fortunately, a compounded oral version can bypass the limitations of topical absorption.
Similarly, oral finasteride is common but can induce noticeable side effects for some patients. It’s likely that these patients may benefit from a compounded topical version that localises the treatment to the scalp. The efficacy of the active ingredient is maintained, but the topical application helps reduce systemic exposure.
Proper dosage strength is another aspect of treatment that is extremely important and different from person to person. Someone dealing with severe shedding might require a higher concentration of activities to see improvement, while another person with sensitive skin might need a milder formulation. Customising the dosage ensures that a formulation is precisely tuned to the needs of a patient. Crucially, this drastically reduces the risk of over- or underdosing, both of which can compromise treatment success and patient health.
Supporting Scalp Sensitivities and Chronic Conditions
The state of the scalp itself is also an aspect of hair loss treatment that requires addressing. Conditions like psoriasis, eczema, or even allergic reactions can quietly sabotage progress.
With compounded treatments, pharmacists have the ability to modify formulations so they’re better tolerated. For example:
- Removing harsh solvents like propylene glycol
- Adding soothing agents like corticosteroids or niacinamide alongside the main active ingredients
- Switching to a foam base for quicker drying and less residue
Why Personalisation Increases Adherence
One overlooked reason why many treatments don’t work is that they’re too difficult to stick with. While the specific aspects that make things difficult will vary wildly depending on the individual, one thing stays clear throughout: when the experience of treatment is more manageable, the chances of consistent and proper adherence go up substantially.
Personalisation of a treatment plan can be a great way to optimise clinical outcomes through improved adherence. For instance:
- A foam that dries quickly might encourage regular use for someone with a busy schedule.
- A scent-free formulation may be crucial for patients sensitive to fragrances.
- The aforementioned customisations to key ingredients and delivery methods can improve the experience and remove demoralising side effects.
These details matter more than they might seem at first glance. A plan that suits someone’s routine and preferences is more likely to be followed consistently, and consistency is what builds results.
Reach Out Now
Hair loss can affect anyone, but that doesn’t mean everyone should be treated the same. The causes are varied, the experiences are personal, and in an ideal world, the solutions should reflect that reality. While you may struggle to get that personalised experience from standard commercial medications, compounding pharmacies offer a tailored solution. By addressing the full scope of contributing factors, hair loss compounding offers a smarter and more nuanced approach.
If you want to know more about customised formulations for hair loss, feel free to contact us via our online form. Alternatively, if you’re in the Western Sydney area, come say hi to us in Parramatta.
Written By
Zen Xiao
