Scandinavian Biolabs Study Exposed Over Half of Online Hair Loss Advice Is Misleading or Missing

WrittenbyDr. Edna Skopljak, M.D.
Last updated

In a groundbreaking study, Scandinavian Biolabs found that over half of online advice about hair loss is misleading or missing.

We enlisted a board-certified, award winning dermatologist to meticulously analyze over 1,000 Reddit posts seeking hair loss guidance.

They uncovered a troubling trend: more misinformation than answers.

The Truth Hurts

social media hair loss information study infographic

CC BY 4.0.

Shockingly, only 42% of responses provided accurate advice.

The other 58% were incorrect or non-existent, leading people down the wrong path.

Even worse, over 1 in 3 questions went unanswered. Sufferers deserve better support in their search for solutions.

Out of 1000 Reddit posts:

  • Correct: 425 (42%)
  • Wrong: 228 (23%)
  • No response: 347 (35%)

This pattern of misinformation and lack of support paints a bleak picture for individuals seeking help online, underscoring a significant gap in dependable, accessible advice.[[quote]]“In an age where misinformation spreads like wildfire, our study reveals a critical gap in reliable advice for those facing hair loss. There is an urgent need for credible, accessible information on personal health.”
— Luat Duong, lead developer[[quote]]

Why you can trust Scandinavian Biolabs?

As your leading source for hair health information over the past 4 years, we never compromise on accuracy. When it comes to your health, you deserve information you can truly rely on - and earning your trust is our top priority.

Here's how Scandinavian Biolabs ensures every piece of content meets the highest standards of accuracy and integrity:

  • Credentialed Experts: Our reviewers are actively practicing doctors and medical researchers
  • Stringent Reviews: Content undergoes rigorous editing by subject specialists and review by a practicing doctor.
  • Evidence-Based: We rely on well-established research from trusted scientific sources like peer-reviewed journals and health authorities.
  • Full Transparency: Our editorial standards, writer credentials, reviewer credentials, correction process, and funding are all publicly documented.
  • Independent Voice: While we do promote products, we operate in a vacuum to business operations. Our main goal is just an unwavering commitment to providing medically-sound guidance.

You can count on Scandinavian Biolabs to consistently deliver the trustworthy health information you deserve. Read our Editorial Standards.

TrichoAI Hair Loss Analysis
Our free, anonymous and dermatologist-developed AI analyzes your hair loss in 30 seconds, suggesting personalized solutions to combat thinning. Understanding your hair condition has never been easier.
Yes, I want to fix hair loss

Why This Matters?

This leads many down the wrong treatment path, wasting time and money. This only exacerbate existing anguish and frustration.

People deserve better guidance for their stressful conditions.

It's clear: the need for evidence-based, authoritative guidance has never been more critical.

It Does Not Have To Be: The Solution

Recognizing the urgent demand for reliable solutions, Scandinavian Biolabs introduces TrichoAI.

Our tool is trained on over 20,000 images, all diagnosed by boardcertified dermatologists from the US and India.

It can quickly assess 3 hair loss stages and 9 different hair loss conditions with 85%+ directly from users' devices, for free.

We extend an open invitation to journalists and media outlets to delve into our study's findings and explore TrichoAI's revolutionary approach.

Visit TrichoAI

For further details on the study or TrichoAI, please connect.

Contact Information

Luat Duong | Project Lead & Developer

Email: ld@scandinavianbiolabs.co.uk

Telephone: +358 469 382 071 (Available from 6:00 to 12:00 PST.)

Study Design & Methodology

For our study's methodology, we enlisted the expertise of a board-certified dermatologist to meticulously evaluate 1,000 Reddit submissions and their associated comment sections that featured photographs.

These submissions were typically headlined with queries concerning hair loss, such as "Do I have hair loss?", "Is my hair thinning?", or "Am I balding?".

The dermatologist's initial task was to assess the hair loss depicted in each photograph without consulting the comments, to establish a professional diagnosis. Subsequently, the dermatologist would review the comment section of each post to determine the consensus diagnosis among Reddit users, which was identified by the most upvoted comment in cases of multiple suggestions.

This process involved comparing the professional diagnosis with the crowd-sourced opinions to record matches, discrepancies, or instances where no response was found in the comment section.

To ensure the integrity and verifiability of our methodology, we have preserved screen captures and recordings of the dermatologist performing this evaluation in real time. These materials serve to corroborate the accuracy of the findings reported in our study.

These materials were then reviewed by a US board-certified dermatologist to verify the diagnosis made by the dermatologist.

Here is an example of our screen capture process with personable details censored.

screen capture of study

Dr. Edna Skopljak, M.D.

About the Writer

Edna Skopljak, MDUniversity of Ljubljana, Faculty of Medicine

Edna Skopljak, MD is a clinical doctor at the University Medical Center Ljubljana and a PhD candidate in Biomedicine at the University of Ljubljana. She combines clinical work with research and medical editing, bringing a clear, evidence-based lens to patient education. Previously, she held roles in the pharmaceutical sector (product management and chief medical officer) and served as a medical production editor for the journal Biomolecules and Biomedicine.

Dr. Skopljak’s publications span clinical topics, including urology and orthopedics. She has co-authored work affiliated with the Department of Orthopedic Surgery at University Medical Centre Ljubljana. She trained in medicine with early clinical experience in Slovenia, reflecting a long-standing focus on practical, patient-facing care.

She strictly follows our Editorial Standards: All medical statements are grounded in authoritative guidelines, FDA labels, and peer-reviewed studies, with clear distinction between approved treatments and adjunctive options.