Topical Melatonin in TrichoSol: Hair Loss Treatment 100ml
Topical Melatonin Hair Loss Solution is a prescription melatonin-based treatment for female pattern hair loss, available with or without minoxidil. One bottle lasts around 3 months.
Melatonin
Base
Melatonin
Prices are shown below. You can choose a strength once you have completed the medical questionnaire.
Add Minoxidil? (optional)
Add Tretinoin? (optional)
£0.00
✓ Prescription Included
✓ Delivery Included
Description
Topical Melatonin 0.1% in TrichoSol (100ml)
Prescription topical melatonin compounded in the TrichoSol base by Fagron. Melatonin is a naturally occurring molecule with strong antioxidant activity; applied to the scalp at 0.1% it has been studied as an adjunct for female pattern hair loss. Compounded fresh in the UK, from £70 per 100ml bottle (roughly three months of nightly use).
Available as melatonin alone, or combined with minoxidil at your prescriber's approval.
100ml UK supply, made fresh in the UK
Every topical melatonin bottle is compounded fresh in the UK by a GPhC registered partner pharmacy in the TrichoSol base from Fagron. The formula is prepared to order at the strength your prescriber approves, so you get a fresh 100ml bottle (roughly three months of nightly use at 1ml per day) rather than a mass-produced solution sitting on a shelf.
How topical melatonin may support hair growth
Melatonin is best known as a sleep hormone, but hair follicles express melatonin receptors and produce their own melatonin locally. Topical melatonin at 0.1% has been studied in women with female pattern hair loss and androgenetic alopecia as an adjunct treatment.
The mechanism believed to underlie any hair-supporting effect is antioxidant activity. Melatonin scavenges free radicals in the follicle environment; oxidative stress is one of the pathways implicated in follicle miniaturisation. It may also help prolong the anagen (active growth) phase of the hair cycle.
What topical melatonin is not: it is not a DHT blocker. It does not act on 5-alpha-reductase (like finasteride or dutasteride) and it does not block the androgen receptor (like spironolactone). It is best positioned as a complementary treatment that supports follicle health, alongside a proven active like minoxidil or a DHT-directed treatment.
The published evidence base is modest but broadly favourable. A commonly cited study (Fischer et al, 2004) reported reduced hair-pull test positivity and improved hair growth over 6 months of nightly 0.1% topical melatonin in women with androgenetic alopecia.
Available formulations
Topical melatonin is compounded to your prescriber's specification. The two standard configurations:
Melatonin 0.1% alone: the base formulation for women who want to add antioxidant support to their existing treatment plan.
Melatonin 0.1% with minoxidil: combines antioxidant follicle support with the most researched hair loss active. Popular for women with visible thinning who want both mechanisms in one bottle.
Why the TrichoSol base matters
Standard alcohol-and-glycol vehicles used in off-the-shelf topical solutions cause itching, redness and contact dermatitis in a meaningful proportion of women. The TrichoSol base from Fagron is propylene glycol free and low alcohol, so it is much better tolerated on sensitive scalps. If you have previously stopped a topical treatment because of scalp reaction, TrichoSol is designed specifically for that problem.
How to apply
Apply 1ml to affected areas of the scalp once daily, ideally in the evening. A 1ml pipette is supplied with your bottle.
Part the hair and apply directly to the scalp, not the hair itself.
Massage gently with clean fingertips.
Wash hands after application.
Do not rinse. Leave to dry naturally.
Nightly use aligns with the follicle's natural melatonin rhythm. Missing days slows progress, particularly in the first few months.
What to expect
4 to 8 weeks: some women report reduced shedding; hair pull test may be less positive.
3 to 6 months: visible thickening is judged if it is going to happen. This is when trials assessed response.
12 months: full effect. Continued nightly use maintains any gains.
On stopping: any hair-supporting effect gradually fades over several weeks.
Melatonin is a mild adjunct. Women who want a stronger or faster effect are usually better served by adding topical minoxidil or a DHT-directed topical.
Side effects
Topical melatonin has a very low side effect profile because systemic absorption from the scalp is negligible. Most women use it without any issues at all.
Exact frequencies are not established for compounded topical melatonin, so the list below is ordered by likelihood rather than precise figures.
More likely (local, at the application site)
Mild transient scalp itching immediately after application
Less likely
Contact dermatitis or dryness at the application site
Unlikely
Localised skin discolouration (usually resolves on stopping)
When to seek urgent medical advice
Signs of allergic reaction: facial or lip swelling, difficulty breathing, rash
Topical melatonin does not cause drowsiness because scalp application does not produce meaningful blood levels.
Who should not use topical melatonin
Not suitable during pregnancy or breastfeeding due to limited safety data in these populations.
Known allergy to melatonin.
Do not apply to broken skin or an inflamed scalp; wait for the scalp to heal first.
Under 18.
Warnings and precautions
Does not cause drowsiness: unlike oral melatonin, scalp application does not produce meaningful systemic blood levels, so topical melatonin does not affect sleep.
Not a DHT blocker: if DHT-driven hair loss is your primary concern, topical melatonin should be considered as an addition to (not a replacement for) a DHT-directed treatment like topical spironolactone or oral finasteride.
Evening application: aligns with the follicle's natural melatonin rhythm.
Do not use during pregnancy or breastfeeding.
Combining topical melatonin with other hair loss treatments
Topical melatonin is a compounded bottle, so you can add other actives to the same 100ml formula in the configurator rather than buying a second product.
Add minoxidil to the bottle (2% to 15%, prescriber approved) for growth stimulation. Melatonin plus minoxidil is a well tolerated female pattern combination. Available as an add on when you configure topical melatonin.
Add tretinoin to the bottle (0.01% or 0.025%) if you know you are a slow minoxidil responder. Available as an add on when you configure topical melatonin.
Want a proper DHT blocker or other actives (finasteride or dutasteride, spironolactone, niacinamide and more)? See our Custom Topical Solution for the wider active palette. One 100ml bottle, one prescriber review.
Prescription included
Complete the short online health questionnaire at checkout. A UK prescriber reviews your answers; most approvals are the same day. Your bottle is compounded fresh in the UK by a GPhC registered partner pharmacy and includes delivery.
Frequently asked questions
How do I apply this treatment?+
Apply it directly to the scalp in the areas being treated rather than coating the hair, then wash your hands and let the scalp dry fully. Your dispensing label sets how much to use and how often, and it takes priority over any general guidance. Our full guide covers application, storage and what to expect.
What is topical melatonin and how does it work?+
This is a topical melatonin 0.1% solution used as an adjunct for female pattern hair loss. Melatonin has strong antioxidant activity in the follicle and may help prolong the anagen (active growth) phase of the hair cycle. Importantly, topical melatonin is not a DHT blocker: it does not act on 5-alpha-reductase or the androgen receptor. It works best combined with a proven active like minoxidil or a DHT-directed treatment like topical spironolactone.
Is topical melatonin suitable for all women?+
Topical melatonin is designed for women experiencing diffuse hair thinning or early female pattern hair loss. It is not intended as a standalone treatment for severe or advanced pattern loss; in those cases a DHT-directed treatment (topical spironolactone, or oral treatments under prescriber guidance) plus topical minoxidil is usually more appropriate.
Does topical melatonin cause drowsiness?+
No. Topical melatonin applied to the scalp has negligible systemic absorption and does not cause drowsiness. Oral melatonin is what affects sleep; topical application does not raise blood levels enough to have any sedating effect.
Can I use topical melatonin with other treatments?+
Yes. Minoxidil and tretinoin can be added directly to your topical melatonin bottle in the configurator, so you do not need a second product. For a topical DHT blocker (finasteride or dutasteride) or other actives (spironolactone, niacinamide and more), use our Custom Topical Solution to compound everything into one 100ml bottle. Oral DHT blockers like finasteride or dutasteride can also be taken alongside topical melatonin under prescriber guidance.
How does topical melatonin compare to topical spironolactone?+
They work by completely different mechanisms. Topical spironolactone is an anti-androgen; it blocks androgen receptors in the scalp, so it directly reduces the effect of DHT on the follicle. Topical melatonin is an antioxidant; it supports follicle health but does not block DHT. Many women use both together: topical spironolactone for the DHT-directed action, topical melatonin for antioxidant support.
How do I apply topical melatonin?+
Apply 1ml to affected areas of the scalp once daily in the evening. Massage in gently and leave to dry. Do not rinse off. Wash hands after application.
How long does topical melatonin take to work?+
Reduced shedding is often the first sign, typically within 2 to 3 months. Visible thickening and regrowth is judged at 4 to 6 months, with full effect at 12 months of consistent nightly use.
How much does topical melatonin cost in the UK?+
Topical melatonin starts from £70 for a 100ml bottle, roughly three months of nightly use at 1ml per day. The exact price depends on strength and whether you add minoxidil. UK prescriber review and UK delivery are included.
Is topical melatonin safe long term?+
Topical melatonin has been well tolerated in the published studies, some running to 6 months, and systemic absorption from the scalp is negligible. Data over multiple years is limited (as it is for most compounded topicals), but the safety profile is considered favourable given how low the systemic exposure is.
Can I return this item?+
Prescription and custom-compounded medicines cannot be returned once dispensed under UK pharmacy regulations. Non-prescription items may be returned within 14 days if unused and in their original packaging. See our returns policy at hairrepairclinic.co.uk/returns-policy for full details.
Disclaimer: this page is for general information only and does not constitute medical advice. Prescription treatments are not appropriate for everyone. Prescription only treatment is supplied only where a UK registered prescriber judges it clinically appropriate after reviewing your online medical questionnaire.
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