New figures reveal a sharp rise in illegal hair loss medicines as social media fuels pressure among men to optimise their appearance. Data analysed by hair transplant specialists Elithair show that approximately 27,200 illegal hair loss medicines were seized in the UK by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) in 2025, almost eight times the number seized the previous year.
Elithair obtained the figures through a Freedom of Information request to the MHRA, asking for the number of illegal hair loss medicines seized in recent years across finasteride, minoxidil, and dutasteride.
Finasteride accounted for the majority of seizures in 2025, with approximately 23,000 doses seized, compared with 1,700 the previous year. This represents a 1,253% increase in illegal finasteride seizures in just 12 months. The figures also reveal a shift in the types of hair loss medicines being seized. In 2021, approximately 21,000 seized products were minoxidil, while in 2025, finasteride accounted for around 85% of all seized hair loss medicines.
Separate figures obtained from the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) show that 15 reports were made to the regulator in 2025 about potential issues with the supply or prescription of hair loss medicines, the highest annual figure during the five-year period. This compares with 11 reports in both 2022 and 2023, and 12 in 2024. Across the five-year period, 58 reports were made to the GPhC about hair loss medicines.
The findings come amid the growing popularity of looksmaxxing, a social media trend centred on improving physical appearance. What began largely as grooming and fitness content has increasingly expanded into discussions around hair loss, medication, peptides, and other appearance-enhancing treatments. With powerful medicines increasingly promoted through social media and online marketplaces, experts warn that men experiencing hair loss may be tempted to seek quick fixes without proper medical advice.
Dr Abdulaziz Balwi, Medical Director at Elithair, discusses banned hair loss treatments spreading into the UK and causing physical and mental challenges: “The growing demand for hair loss solutions is understandable, particularly as hair loss and appearance can have a major impact on self-confidence. In our recent hair loss report surveying 2,000 men, almost half (48%) said their hairline impacts their self-confidence. For many men, concerns around appearance become especially heightened during major life moments, whether that is getting married, progressing in their career, or navigating social relationships. This emotional pressure can lead some individuals to seek quick-fix solutions without fully considering the risks involved.”
“One of the biggest dangers is that many men are accessing treatments without proper medical consultation, often through unregulated online sellers or social media, meaning they may not fully understand the risks or long-term implications. According to MHRA figures, officials have seized nearly 70,000 illegal hair loss drugs in the last five years alone, highlighting the scale of the issue. Hair loss treatment should always be approached under professional medical guidance rather than impulsively or through unofficial sources.”
Types of illicit hair loss drugs and associated risks
Finasteride
Finasteride is legal, but when sourced through unregulated online pharmacies or black-market suppliers, it may be sold without proper prescribing oversight for the treatment of male-pattern hair loss. Risks include counterfeit or substandard tablets and incorrect dosing. Reported adverse effects include sexual side effects, fertility concerns, and low mood or depressive symptoms in some individuals.
Dutasteride
Dutasteride is a more potent 5-alpha reductase inhibitor than finasteride and is not officially licensed for hair loss in the UK, although it may be prescribed in specialist settings. Illicit use is often driven by perceived greater effectiveness, but it can produce stronger and more prolonged hormonal disruption in the body. Risks include sexual side effects such as reduced libido and erectile dysfunction, which in some cases may be prolonged.
Oral minoxidil
Oral minoxidil was originally developed as a blood pressure medication and can have cardiovascular effects. Even at low doses, unsupervised use may lead to dangerously low blood pressure, rapid heart rate, palpitations, dizziness, ankle swelling, and fluid retention.
Peptides and experimental compounds
Peptides are short chains of amino acids marketed online as injectable or topical hair growth treatments, often claiming to stimulate follicles or mimic growth factors. In reality, many of these products are sold as grey-market or research-use-only chemicals with no approved formulation for human use in hair loss. They may contain unregulated mixtures of synthetic peptides, bacterial endotoxin contamination, preservatives not intended for injection, or entirely different substances than labelled. Frequently compounded in non-sterile environments, these products can carry risks including severe skin reactions, infection at injection sites, abscess formation, systemic infection if injected, allergic reactions, and unpredictable inflammatory responses in the scalp. There is also a risk of unknown long-term effects on tissue growth pathways, as many of these compounds have not undergone proper safety testing in humans for cosmetic use.
Final thoughts from Dr Balwi
“For patients experiencing progressive hair loss, the safest route is always to seek advice from a qualified medical professional who can assess the underlying cause and recommend evidence-based treatment options. While prescribed medications may help stabilise hair loss in some cases, the long-lasting and permanent solution for advanced male-pattern baldness is a professionally performed hair transplant, combined with an appropriate medical treatment plan and ongoing aftercare.”