Melatonin
A prescription active that supports the hair growth cycle and helps protect follicles from oxidative stress. Used in custom hair and beard serums.
Most hair loss treatments work on hormones or on blood flow. Melatonin works differently. Whilst it is better known as the hormone that sets your sleep cycle, hair follicles also carry Melatonin receptors of their own. Evidence so far suggests it protects follicles from damage and keeps them growing for longer. In the UK, Melatonin is a prescription-only medicine and not licensed for hair loss. However, it can be prescribed as a compounded hair loss treatment made by a specialist pharmacy according to a doctor’s prescription. At City Skin Clinic it is one of several actives a doctor may include in our custom hair loss and beard growth serums.
What Is Melatonin and How Does It Work?
Hair grows in cycles. Each follicle spends a stretch of time actively growing, called the anagen phase. It then passes through a short transition and a resting phase before the hair sheds and the cycle starts again. In androgenetic hair loss the growing phase gets shorter with every cycle. This is why hairs come back finer and shorter until they stop coming back at all.
Melatonin appears to act on that cycle. Follicles carry Melatonin receptors, and studies suggest topical Melatonin can prolong the anagen phase. It is also a strong antioxidant, so it may help protect follicles from the oxidative stress that wears them down over time. There is early work suggesting it helps regulate the internal clock inside follicle cells themselves. None of this works through hormones. This is why Melatonin may be useful for men and women alike and why it can help with beard as well as scalp hair. Possible benefits of using it in a hair or beard formula include:
- Supports the growing phase: it may keep follicles in anagen for longer, so hairs have more time to grow before they shed.
- Protects follicles from oxidative stress: its antioxidant action may shield follicles from damage that builds up over time.
- Works without affecting hormones: it does not block DHT or alter androgens, so it may be helpful where hormone blockers are not appropriate.
- Well tolerated in the studies so far: reported side effects have been minor and local.
- Combines with other actives: it can sit alongside the stronger drivers in a formula rather than competing with them.
How City Skin Clinic Uses Melatonin
Every treatment we make is built around one patient’s hair loss, medical history and goals. In our formulas Melatonin supports the hair growth cycle and helps protect follicles from oxidative stress, which is the same role it plays alongside Caffeine and the DHT blockers such as Dutasteride. Your doctor decides the concentration, the base and which actives it works alongside, and reviews the formula at the end of each course. We may include Melatonin in:
Melatonin is a supporting active, so it is usually combined with the ingredients that do the heavier work. Which partners your doctor chooses depends on whether they are treating your scalp or your beard. For scalp hair loss, the actives used alongside Melatonin include:
- Minoxidil: the most common partner, which stimulates regrowth and improves density.
- Finasteride: lowers the DHT that drives male pattern hair loss.
- Dutasteride: blocks DHT more completely than Finasteride, used mainly in men.
- Spironolactone: reduces the effect of androgens on the follicle in some women with pattern hair loss.
- Caffeine: stimulates the follicles and improves blood flow to the scalp.
- Tretinoin: a retinoid that may help other actives absorb.
- Hydrocortisone: calms scalp irritation caused by other actives.
Beard formulas are built differently. DHT drives beard growth rather than damaging it, so we leave the DHT blockers out and pair Melatonin with actives such as Minoxidil, Caffeine and Tretinoin instead.
How Do You Get Topical Melatonin in the UK?
There is no over-the-counter route to Melatonin in the UK. It is a prescription-only medicine in every form, so you cannot buy it in a pharmacy, a supermarket or a health shop, whatever the format. No Melatonin product holds a UK licence for hair loss either, so for hair loss and beard growth it is prescribed as an unlicensed compounded medicine. This means it does not hold a standard product licence, because it is made individually by a specialist pharmacy against your doctor’s prescription rather than manufactured as an off-the-shelf product. It is available for appropriate patients from some medical hair clinics.
To access our treatments you first complete an online consultation form or book a virtual video consultation with one of our doctors. They design a treatment they judge will best address your hair loss or beard growth, taking your wishes into account where it is safe to do so, then provide a plan and ongoing follow-up. You can email your doctor at any time as part of your treatment.
Personalised Treatment Fees (3 Month Supply)
VIRTUAL CONSULTATION£30
Your doctor designs your treatment and looks after you throughout. Consultation fee credited in full against your first treatment.
PERSONALISED HAIR LOSS TREATMENT£120
A 3 month supply (100ml) of a serum designed around your hair loss, health and goals.
PERSONALISED BEARD GROWTH TREATMENT£120
A 3 month supply (100ml) of a serum designed for your beard growth goals.
Treatment Time
15 Minutes
Duration of effect
3-4 Months
Back to Work
Same Day
There is no subscription and no auto-renewal. Each course is a single order you place yourself.
How Effective Is Topical Melatonin?
Topical Melatonin is promising rather than proven, and it is worth being plain about where the evidence sits. Small trials and reviews report improvements in hair density and reductions in shedding in men and women with androgenetic alopecia, most often using a 0.1% solution once daily over about six months. The studies are small, the follow-up is short and the results have not yet been confirmed at the scale that would fully settle the question. What can be said is that it has been well tolerated across those studies and that it works through antioxidant and growth-modulating routes rather than hormonal ones.
Our own guide to Melatonin for hair loss goes through the evidence in more detail and the Minoxidil and Finasteride guides cover some of the actives most often prescribed alongside it. Like every hair loss treatment, Melatonin works only while you keep using it, and most people need three to six months of consistent use before judging it.
What Strengths Does Topical Melatonin Come In?
Because every formula is compounded from scratch, your doctor sets the concentration rather than picking a fixed product off a shelf. The strength we use most commonly is 0.1%, which is the concentration used in most of the published work, and it can be increased at the end of each course where your doctor judges that appropriate.
The right strength depends on your hair loss, your medical history and the other actives in your formula. Your doctor sets it at the start and can adjust it at each course, so your treatment moves as your hair does.
What Are the Side Effects of Topical Melatonin?
Most people tolerate topical Melatonin well, and in the studies published so far the side effects reported have been mild and confined to the skin it is applied to. You should still know what to look for before you start. The side effects of topical Melatonin include:
- Scalp or skin irritation: redness, itching, dryness or mild stinging where it is applied. This is most common in the first few weeks and often settles, and your doctor can adjust the formula if it does not.
- Drowsiness: Melatonin affects the sleep cycle, so this is a reasonable thing to ask about. Applied once daily to the scalp in a low strength, very little is thought to reach the bloodstream. Always tell your doctor if you notice changes to your sleep or if you work with any heavy machinery.
- Allergic reaction: rarely, swelling of the lips, tongue or throat, a widespread rash or persistent pain. If that happens, stop using it and seek medical help.
Because it is prescribed as an unlicensed compounded medicine, your doctor should go through your history, assess your suitability and explain the risks before you start. They should also provide proper aftercare.
Who Should Not Use Topical Melatonin?
Topical Melatonin is not right for everyone. Your doctor will not prescribe it if it is not safe or suitable for you, or if there is a better option. In particular, it is not suitable for:
- Anyone who is pregnant, could become pregnant or is breastfeeding: we do not provide any hair loss or beard treatment in pregnancy or breastfeeding. The safety of topical Melatonin in pregnancy is not known.
- Anyone under 18: we treat adults only.
- Active scalp disease: anyone with psoriasis, seborrhoeic dermatitis, a fungal infection or broken skin at the scalp should have that treated first, because applying actives to inflamed skin can make it worse or delay healing.
- Allergies: anyone with a known allergy or hypersensitivity to Melatonin or any ingredient in the formula.
- Certain medicines: tell your doctor everything you take, including anything bought over the counter, so they can check for interactions before prescribing.
Google Reviews
I would highly recommend City Skin Clinic. I have had a great experience with Dr Amel so far. She is extremely knowledgable and has explained my treatment plan in detail. I had a lot of questions initially and this was met with fast and in depth responses by Dr Amel. The ordering and delivery of the product is quick and easy and Dr Amel has remained in contact throughout my treatment to check progress. It has only been a couple of months but I have already seen an improvement in my hair and trust that I will continue to do so.
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City Skin Clinic allows me to get tretinoin delivered when I am running out rather than a subscription basis. Not only that but I cannot praise their customer service enough. They have been so helpful in all skincare advice not just the tretinoin. The response times are incredible and I feel like a valued customer with a personalised advisor. I have used other companies before and have been recommended others, but I’m not even tempted to move away from City Skin Clinic. They really are amazing.
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I appreciate the prompt responses and the treatment I am receiving is going well.
I used the online consultation form and received a very quick response with detailed advice about a treatment plan. My two prescription products arrived a couple of days later in the post and I've already had great results in reducing pigmentation on my face after only 4 weeks of use. I'm really pleased with the results and the service and advice I've received from City Skin Clinic has been excellent.
City Skin Clinic helped me find a Treatment plan that really helped my skin problem of pigmentation /malasma.
Amel is amazing she always takes time to understand your concern and will always give you the best treatment and advice and the results have been amazing. Thank you!
I’ve been receiving treatment at City Skin Clinic with Dr Amel and I couldn’t be happier with the experience. From the start, Dr Amel was professional, knowledgeable and genuinely attentive to my skin concerns — she took the time to listen and tailor a plan that suited my needs. Many aspects of the process were clear and reassuring, and I felt well supported throughout. What stood out most was the ongoing support: Dr Amel has continued to check in, answer my questions promptly, and adapt my plan as needed, which has made a real difference in my progress. Overall, a thorough, caring and highly recommended clinic experience.
I cannot recommend Dr Amel highly enough. She is genuinely the best skincare specialist I’ve ever worked with. From the very first consultation she took the time to understand my concerns in detail, explain the science behind everything, and create a personalised plan that actually delivered results rather than promises.
My skin has transformed under her care. Years of stubborn hyperpigmentation, uneven tone and texture that I thought I’d never get on top of have improved more than I thought was possible. Every step of the process has been guided, monitored and adjusted so thoughtfully. She never rushes, she always explains the why behind each change, and she makes you feel like you’re in the hands of someone who genuinely cares about your outcome.
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If you want a clinician who is knowledgeable, meticulous, honest, and truly invested in achieving the best results for you, Dr Amel is exactly that. My confidence in my skin has never been better, and I’m so grateful to her for the care, patience and expertise she’s given me.
I got in touch having been frustrated with breakouts and early ageing signs. I have been so impressed by the level of communication, empathy and support I have received. It feels so much more caring/personal than booking with other well known brands in this space (who often more of a subscription based model) I would really recommend this company - and Dr Amel - to anyone wanting professional advice and support with their skin concerns
In desperation I trawled the internet looking for alternatives and found this wonderful company. From the very first video consultation, I was listened to and given a plan which worked! I cannot praise Amel enough. She has given such good advice; she responds almost immediately and is so very sensible. I feel cared forand know I am in the most professional and capable hands. My skin has improved significantly and is now brighter, more even toned and hydrated. I am impressed to the extent that I paid for my darling daughter to have a consultation as well. In her words- "Amel is just lovely. She is THE best!" What more can I say??? I won't be going anywhere else as I have complete faith in the company and highly recommend them.
I had a fantastic experience with CitySkinClinic. The online consultation was incredibly convenient and cost just £30 - excellent value for such a professional and personalised service. I was pleased and surprised that the cost of the consultation came off the price of the treatment Dr Amel was extremely easy to talk to, answering all my concerns with great care and professionalism. She was very prudent and thoughtful in her recommendations which made me feel confident and well looked after
Since using the cream my skin has noticeably improved in texture and firmness making me look healthier and less tired. My sun damage spots have also disappeared
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Frequently asked questions
Authored by:
Aesthetic Doctor & Medical Director BSC (HONS) MBBS MRCS PHD
Founder City Skin Clinic
Member of the Royal College of Surgeons of England
Associate Member of British Association of Body Sculpting GMC Registered - 7049611