Understanding Hair Loss: Causes, Treatments, and the Best Supplements in Australia

Hair loss is one of the most emotionally distressing concerns a person can experience. Whether it shows up as a widening part, a receding hairline, or more hair in the shower drain, the effect on confidence is real. Around half of men and a quarter of women experience noticeable hair loss at some point in life.

The good news is that a range of treatments now have solid clinical evidence behind them. This guide explains why hair thins and what the research says actually helps.

The hair growth cycle

Every follicle cycles through three phases:

• Anagen (growth), 2 to 7 years: the follicle actively produces a hair. Around 85 to 90% of scalp hair is in this phase at any time.
• Catagen (transition), 2 to 3 weeks: the follicle shrinks and detaches from its blood supply.
• Telogen (resting and shedding), 3 to 4 months: the old hair rests, then sheds so a new one can grow.

Hair loss happens when the growth phase shortens, the shedding phase lengthens, or follicles miniaturise and produce progressively finer hairs.

Common causes

Androgenetic alopecia (pattern hair loss)

This is the most common type in both men and women. It is driven by genetics and by dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which progressively miniaturises susceptible follicles. In men it typically appears as a receding hairline and thinning crown; in women, as diffuse thinning across the top of the scalp [1].

Telogen effluvium (stress-related shedding)

Triggered by a significant physical or emotional stressor such as illness, surgery, rapid weight loss, childbirth or severe stress. Many follicles enter the shedding phase at once, so noticeable hair fall appears 2 to 3 months after the trigger. It is usually temporary and resolves once the underlying cause is addressed.

Nutritional deficiencies

Hair production is nutritionally demanding, and deficiencies in iron, zinc, vitamin D and protein are associated with hair thinning. This matters most for people who are genuinely deficient: supplementing corrects a shortfall rather than adding benefit on top of an adequate diet. Iron deficiency in particular is a common and correctable contributor in women, which is why blood tests are worth doing before starting supplements.

Scalp conditions

Chronic inflammation around the follicle, from seborrhoeic dermatitis, scalp psoriasis or folliculitis, can disrupt the growth cycle. Treating the scalp condition is a necessary first step before other treatments can work properly.

What the evidence supports

1. Topical minoxidil

Minoxidil remains the best-evidenced over-the-counter treatment for pattern hair loss. A 2024 systematic review that assessed 141 studies found that over-the-counter treatments including topical minoxidil, supplements and low-level light therapy, prescription treatments including oral minoxidil and finasteride, and procedural treatments including platelet-rich plasma and hair transplantation all successfully promote hair growth. Its main conclusion was that a multifaceted, individualised approach works better than any single treatment [1].

2. Micro-infusion (microneedling) for hair density

Micro-infusion uses very fine needles to create controlled micro-channels in the scalp. This triggers the skin's repair response, increasing growth signalling around the follicle, and improves absorption of topical treatments.

A 2024 systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised clinical trials found that microneedling combined with topical minoxidil increased hair density significantly more than minoxidil alone [2]. In a 2024 randomised controlled trial of 36 men aged 26 to 51 with pattern hair loss, adding four-weekly micro-needling to a 5% minoxidil routine produced substantially greater hair density at 12 weeks than minoxidil alone (95.6 versus 52.4 hairs per square centimetre) and greater hair diameter, with side effects limited to itching and temporary redness that were well tolerated [3].

A 2025 network meta-analysis of minoxidil combination therapies analysed 20 study groups and found combination approaches consistently outperformed minoxidil alone, with the best-performing combination adding a mean 35.12 hairs per square centimetre [4].

Micro-infusion is performed in clinic and works best as a course alongside your at-home routine. It is not suitable for every type of hair loss, so start with a consultation and we will assess your scalp first.

3. Targeted supplements

Supplements are most useful where a deficiency exists, and the 2024 systematic review includes supplements among the over-the-counter options with evidence for promoting hair growth [1]. Propaira Hair Booster Plus Capsules combine biotin, zinc, iron and amino acids to support the nutritional side of hair production. Give any supplement at least 3 to 6 months, since that is how long new hair takes to grow through and become visible.

4. Scalp health

If you have dandruff, itching or flaking, treat that first. Propaira SD Plus (Seborrheic Dermatitis) Shampoo is formulated to manage the yeast overgrowth behind seborrhoeic dermatitis, reducing inflammation so follicles can function normally.

Building your routine

Morning: take your Propaira Hair Booster Plus Capsules with food for better absorption.

Wash days (every 2 to 3 days): use a targeted scalp shampoo. Massage into the scalp for 2 to 3 minutes before rinsing. Follow with conditioner on the mid-lengths and ends only.

Daily: avoid tight hairstyles that pull on the follicles, minimise heat styling, and use a wide-tooth comb on wet hair.

When to see a specialist

If your hair loss is sudden, patchy (which can indicate alopecia areata), or comes with symptoms such as fatigue or weight change, see your GP or a dermatologist. Blood tests can rule out thyroid disorders and iron deficiency anaemia, and prescription options may be appropriate [1].

Explore our range of hair loss treatments and supplements online at Oceania Wellness.

References

1. Rosenthal, A., Conde, G., Greco, J. F., & Gharavi, N. M. (2024). Management of androgenic alopecia: A systematic review of the literature. Journal of Cosmetic and Laser Therapy, 26(1–4). https://doi.org/10.1080/14764172.2024.2362126
2. Pei, D., Zeng, L., Huang, X., Wang, B., Liu, L., & Zhang, G. (2024). Efficacy and safety of combined microneedling therapy for androgenic alopecia: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 23(5), 1560–1572. https://doi.org/10.1111/jocd.16186
3. Adistri, K., Sirait, S. P., Rihatmadja, R., Legiawati, L., Indriatmi, W., & Saldi, S. R. F. (2024). Effectiveness and safety of the combination therapy of micro-needling and minoxidil in androgenetic alopecia of Indonesian men: A randomized controlled trial. Dermatology Reports, 16(3). https://doi.org/10.4081/dr.2024.9945
4. Xia, Y., Chen, H., Chen, Y., & Chen, Z. (2025). Relative efficacy of minoxidil in combination with other treatments for androgenic alopecia: A network meta-analysis based on randomized controlled trials. Frontiers in Medicine, 12, 1638496. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmed.2025.1638496

This article is general information and is not personal medical advice. If you have concerns about hair loss, please speak with your GP, dermatologist or one of our therapists.