Manual offers medical advice and hair loss treatments for men. The company is highly recommended on Trustpilot, and customer reviews suggest that people are getting noticeable results.
Interest continues to grow in companies and clinics offering hair loss solutions for men. That should be no surprise, considering 80% of men are affected by male pattern baldness by 80 years old [1].
But how well do these products really work, and how does Manual compare to hair loss clinics and other online retailers (such as DrHair, leading supplier and Wimpole Clinic hair loss treatment partner)? In this Manual hair loss review, we’ll explore:
Manual offers a range of hair loss plans and individual treatments to boost hair growth. These include prescription and non-prescription medications (such as Finasteride and Minoxidil), specially formulated shampoo, and hair vitamins.
The aim of these products is to stop or reduce hair shedding while encouraging thicker, healthier hair growth. Manual offers free next-day delivery, their medication is licensed in the UK, and subscriptions to their hair loss plans can be cancelled at any time.
Manual also works with UK-licensed experts and medical professionals to offer private online assessments and plan adjustments. This all sounds great, but how well do Manual’s hair loss plans and products really work?
Manual has a clear process when you’re ready to start a hair loss treatment plan. Here’s what happens when you get in touch:
Support is available from hair loss clinicians every month. You can schedule a phone call when you need advice. Manual also advises using hair tracking tools, which involves taking photos at the start of your treatment journey so you can track your progress.
According to Dr Earim Chaudry, Chief Medical Officer at Manual, you’re likely to see your best results in 6-12 months.
Manual’s hair loss plans for men are based on several key medications and ingredients. These include:
Let’s explore what the research says about these products.
Minoxidil has strong backing from research as a treatment for male pattern baldness. It is the second most recommended treatment by hair transplant surgeons — 53% say they always or often recommend it to their patients [2].
Minoxidil has been shown to improve hair regrowth in men with androgenetic alopecia. Minoxidil 5% concentrations appear to be more effective than Minoxidil 2% [3]. Manual does not make it clear which concentrations of Minoxidil they offer.
The image above [4] shows the effect of Minoxidil on a receding hairline, a typical symptom of male pattern baldness. After 4 months of daily application of topical Minoxidil 5%, the patient’s hairline is thicker, more even, and more youthful-looking.
Finasteride is another popular, research-backed medication for male pattern baldness. Finasteride tablets are the most commonly prescribed hair loss medication in the world; over 69% of surgeons say they always or often prescribe Finasteride for male pattern hair loss [2].
The image above shows Finasteride usage over two years [5]. This man took Finasteride for male pattern hair loss and within one year (B), he had increased hair growth around his bald spot on the crown. By two years, he had regrown most of his hair (C).
Manual sells hair growth vitamins and power shampoo that aim to improve hair loss. The active ingredients in the hair vitamins are biotin, collagen, selenium, and zinc.
The link between vitamins, minerals, and healthy hair growth is understudied. This means there’s a lack of accurate guidance on the effects of hair growth supplements.
Here’s what research says about the ingredients used by Manual.
A 2024 literature review suggests there are no high-quality studies supporting biotin’s use as a hair growth supplement [6]. However, there’s some research that suggests biotin supplementation may improve hair growth if you have a biotin deficiency and an underlying health condition [7].
A small amount of in vitro research suggests marine collagen peptides may support hair growth in people with some types of alopecia [8]. In vivo clinical trials with humans are needed to answer the question of whether collagen helps hair growth.
A selenium deficiency can sometimes lead to hair shedding, but too much selenium has been shown to cause hair loss [9]. One study suggests the inclusion of selenium in hair loss supplements is concerning because selenium toxicity from supplementation is well-documented [10].
This can cause hair loss, skin lesions, memory problems, and gastrointestinal symptoms. Dietary sources of selenium, such as fish, eggs, and dairy, are usually safer than supplementation.
Research suggests low zinc levels are linked to male pattern baldness [11-12]. However, there are currently no studies on the effects of zinc in isolation for male pattern baldness. However, there is research into formulas for androgenetic alopecia that contain zinc for hair loss among other ingredients, and have had successful results [13].
Manual offers a power shampoo containing ingredients that may improve hair growth. The active ingredients in their power shampoo are biotin, saw palmetto, and caffeine. There is currently no research on topical biotin for hair loss, so let’s look at saw palmetto and caffeine in more detail.
A systematic review indicates that topical or oral saw palmetto can improve hair quality, number, and density in people with androgenetic alopecia and telogen effluvium [14]. It has a smaller effect on male pattern baldness than Finasteride [15].
However, there is a lack of research on how saw palmetto in shampoo affects hair loss. Its effects are likely to be much smaller because it only has brief contact with the scalp, unlike topical formulations that have time to be absorbed.
Research suggests topical caffeine is as effective as Minoxidil when used for at least 6 months [16]. However, leave-in caffeine treatments often yield more impressive results than treatments which are washed out quickly, such as caffeine shampoo [17].
Manual gets some great feedback from customers. But are there any downsides? Here, we break down the pros and cons.
Manual does offer hair transplants at its two in-person clinic locations, but these appear to be a separate, standalone service from their other hair loss treatment plans. How does this compare to in-person hair loss clinics, such as the Wimpole Clinic?
The Wimpole Clinic offers:
Alternatively, if you don’t want to visit a clinic, visit DrHair to get assessed for Minoxidil and/or Finasteride for hair loss. It’s the most cost effective way to get these hair loss treatments, and there’s no need to subscribe to a plan.
Manual gets some great reviews on Trustpilot. Over 8,000 customers have reviewed Manual, and it has a total score of 4.4 out of 5. 75% have given 5 stars.
Customers praise Manual for their thorough care. Treatment options and risks are explained clearly, and regular check-ins are appreciated.
Many people have had a convenient, hassle-free experience and have experienced positive results, including hair regrowth and a boost in confidence. Plenty of customers would recommend Manual to others looking for help with their hair loss.
On the other hand, several customers have had some difficulties. Some were frustrated with their lack of results after using the products for some time, and some reported their hair loss worsened.
A few people mentioned receiving conflicting advice from clinicians, which they found confusing. There were several issues with delayed responses and ignored emails, and a few had issues claiming the money-back guarantee when they felt their treatment had not been effective.
Many of these issues can be avoided by choosing in-person care. If you choose a clinic that offers in-person appointments:
The Wimpole Clinic has outstanding reviews on Trustpilot. More than 1,000 people have reviewed the clinic, and 96% of those have given 5 stars.
Customers describe the team as professional and supportive, with excellent communication and aftercare services. The vast majority of people were overjoyed with their results and hair growth, and strongly recommend the Wimpole Clinic to anyone needing help with hair loss.
Celebrities choose our world-class clinic for their hair transplants. England cricket captain Ben Stokes was overjoyed with the results of his transplant at the Wimpole Clinic, commenting:
“I got a lot of comments from the lads on the team before and after I had [my hair transplant] done. They’ve said in their own words that it is definitely the best one they’ve seen.”
If you’d prefer a face-to-face assessment, we can help you at the Wimpole Clinic. Our skilled hair doctors can identify the reason your hair is falling out and suggest a comprehensive treatment plan.
Treatments on offer include hair loss medication, lifestyle advice, PRP hair treatment, and low-level laser therapy. You may even be a candidate for a natural-looking hair transplant.
We work with some of the best hair transplant surgeons in the UK, who deliver results that make it possible to get a hair transplant without anyone knowing. Book a consultation today to learn more about which treatments may be right for you.
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