MOJEH: Hårklinikken is at the forefront of innovation in the field of scalp health and hair restoration. What motivated you to start Hårklinikken and what was your first major milestone?
Lars Skjøth: My motivation for starting Hårklinikken started early in life and had nothing to do with wanting to start a company. It all started with my own scalp issues which also led to hair issues, and a uriosity coupled with a feeling that there had to be more holistic solutions for my scalp problems. I did not really know what I was looking for but it had to be something better, less harsh, and more naturally derived than what I was already using. An elderly librarian found interest in helping me and she became a great resource, and friend. For years, I produced all samples on my kitchen table at home and tested them on friends and family. Growing up in a family with limited resources, I developed a deep appreciation for life and maintained a positive outlook, believing that anything was possible. Initially I had thoughts on starting a small biotech company, but it was so necessary for me to be close to the user – so the clinic seemed to be the best match. I sought to develop a standardised process and product that would solve scalp and hair issues. The more I looked the more I learned and decided that the truth was that people are different and require different treatment. Not only that, but that the individualised treatment needs to be adjusted throughout the life of their treatment. Through years of experimentation from 1985 to 1992, I discovered there was a significant gap between conventional plant-based hair products and medical treatments. There was an opportunity to create treatments that were both scientifically grounded and naturally derived and I then decided to found the company and opened the first clinic in October 1992.
My first major milestone came around 1998-1999 when I realised we had developed something truly special. What started as kitchen experiments with various plant extracts, including burdock root, had evolved into formulations that showed real promise. By 2007, I was confident we had created something genuinely unique in the field of hair restoration. This wasn’t just another alternative remedy or a purely medical approach; it was an innovative treatment that could effectively address hereditary hair loss in ways that existing solutions couldn’t.
That realisation marked the turning point from experimentation to becoming a serious player in scalp health and hair regeneration, setting the foundation for everything we’ve accomplished since.
M: Hårklinikken’s cornerstone is the Hair Gain Extract. How did it come about, and how does it work?
LS: The Hair Gain Extract represents the culmination of decades of meticulous research and development. Its creation is rooted in my approach to ingredient science—when I develop a single ingredient, I start by identifying numerous constituents within it, then systematically remove most of them to focus on the most effective ones. The final extract uses approximately 10 major source ingredients that deliver several hundred constituents designed to work in intentional and unique synergy, where one activates another, making it more potent.
We source ingredients from specific countries with the precise soil and climate conditions needed to cultivate the unique constituents we require. For instance, our burdock root must grow in particular soil with specific seasonal climate variations, otherwise the extract would deliver only a minimum of what we need.
The Hair Gain Extract works by creating the ideal environment for hair growth, optimising conditions both on the scalp surface and within the hair follicle itself. Each bottle is individually formulated and hand-blended to each client’s specific needs, helping establish the ideal scalp microbiome and re-engaging dormant hair follicles to stimulate healthy growth.
M: How does Hårklinikken differ from other clinics offering scalp and hair health solutions?
LS: What sets Hårklinikken apart is our understanding that hair loss and hair thinning are never one-size-fits-all conditions. While other clinics often offer standardised treatments, we recognise that no two scalps or heads of hair are identical, which is why each Hair Gain Extract is customised and continually adapted to your unique biology throughout your entire treatment journey.
This level of personalisation is why our consultation process is essential for optimal results.
M: What can a client expect when walking into a Hårklinikken clinic? What is the experience from start-to-finish?
LS: The purpose of our clinics has been to create safe havens where you’re met with kindness, compassion, and heartfelt listening. They are designed to make you feel comfortable about sharing your concerns and experiences. Our clinics are created in Danish design, featuring natural wood elements and clean lines that create a calming, welcoming atmosphere.
While we can achieve good results through online consultations with quality photos, the in-person experience allows us to get even closer to the client and reach that exceptional level of results that sets us apart.
During these sessions, we’re not just assessing your scalp and hair, we’re building a relationship where you feel safe to share openly about your concerns and goals. I continue to learn as much from my clients in the clinic as I did from years in the lab and through formal studies. This ongoing dialogue and learning process means that your treatment evolves with genuine insight and understanding, not just clinical protocol.
From start to finish, you can expect an environment where comfort, respect, and expertise converge to create not just a treatment experience, but a journey toward renewed confidence in a space designed specifically for your well-being.
M: From the first visit or use, how long until clients begin to see results?
LS: Clients typically begin to see noticeable improvement in hair growth in as little as 2-3 months from their first use of the Hair Gain Extract. This relatively quick timeline reflects the effectiveness of our personalised approach and the carefully selected constituents working in synergy.
The majority of our clients experience a 30-70% improvement in both hair quality and amount, which is significant progress that becomes visible within this timeframe. However, it’s important to understand that these results continue to improve over time as we refine and adapt your treatment.
M: What are the misconceptions about hair loss, and how does Hårklinikken address them?
LS: The most common misconception about hair loss is that one single factor causes it. People often believe it’s purely genetic, or entirely hormonal, or simply due to stress. In reality, the causes are much more variable and interconnected.
External factors, such as scalp cleanliness and general health, may also affect hair growth. The scalp’s microbiome must be in balance to create optimal circumstances for hair growth, and when internal factors like poor nutrient absorption or gut imbalances occur, it can affect what’s happening at the hair follicle level.
Hårklinikken offers a holistic solution that addresses multiple triggers or pathways to hair loss. Our approach includes a unique hair supplement specifically designed to target the main internal triggers of hair loss (stress, gut imbalances, and nutritional deficiencies), combined with our Extract that works at the cellular level as well as directly on the scalp environment. Our shampoos are an integral part of the treatment that maintains optimal scalp health and ensures maximum absorption of the Extract so that we’re addressing the complete picture.
M: Is hair loss largely caused by genetics, environmental factors, or both? Have you seen an increase in any specific client complaints over the years that could be attributed to lifestyle?
LS: Both. We help thousands of clients all over the world that are impacted by the most common type of hair thinning called androgenic hair thinning where both genetics and hormones play a role, but even genetic predisposition can be influenced by several other factors.
Stress is a major contributor, not just emotional stress, but physical stress inflicted on hair and scalp from tight hairstyles, harsh chemical treatments, or nutritional deficiencies.
Over the years, we’ve been seeing many cases where gut health imbalances are impacting hair growth. Hair follicles are among the most metabolically active cells in the body, so they’re particularly sensitive to nutritional deficiencies.
The scalp’s microbiome must also be in balance to produce the best circumstances for optimal hair growth, and when internal factors like poor nutrient absorption or gut imbalances occur, it affects what’s happening at the follicle level.
M: Are there any factors that would make a candidate ineligible for Hårklinikken products?
LS: We can help individuals with many different hair and scalp challenges. However, we cannot help those with alopecia areata, alopecia universalis, alopecia totalis or other autoimmune hair loss or scalp disorders. Additionally, if you have a severe scalp condition like eczema or we suspect an underlying medical condition is the cause of your hair loss, we may refer you to a dermatologist or other specialist to ensure any possible issues are addressed first.
M: What are the indicators of a healthy scalp, and when should someone seek treatment?
LS: Indicators of a healthy scalp are not just about surface appearance, they’re about maintaining the scalp’s balance. Sebaceous glands must produce balanced levels of natural oils. This is particularly crucial because oil production naturally decreases as we age. A healthy scalp compensates for this, maintaining proper moisture and allowing for effective oil distribution throughout the hair shaft.
The follicles themselves should remain clear and unobstructed. A healthy scalp prevents the buildup that can damage the very foundation of optimal hair growth.
The ideal time to seek treatment is much earlier than most people realise. Most people come to us when they’ve already noticed significant changes in their hair thickness, density, or hairline. The truth is, early signs of hair loss should never be dismissed. Symptoms like excessive shedding, slower growth, ponytail being thinner, seeing more scalp through the hair, or noticing wispy strands at the temples are important warning signals. Once people notice these signs, chances are the thinning process has underway for many years already.
M: Hårklinikken’s products are rigorously tested through years of clinical trials. Which product is your most meaningful, and which was the most challenging to perfect?
LS: As the cornerstone of the Method, the Hair Gain Extract would be the most meaningful product. It represents the culmination of decades of meticulous research, development, and clinical trials embodying my entire approach to ingredient science.
This Extract embodies everything I’ve learned about how hair growth actually works, from the scalp microbiome to the link between scalp health and how to optimize hair growth in the hair follicle.
Along with the Hair Gain Extract, the Hair Supplement was one of the most challenging products to perfect. The development process took 11 years, which I completed in collaboration with our Chief Scientific Officer, Dr. Panos Vasiloudes, who’s a triple board-certified dermatologist and PhD.
The challenge lay in understanding that hair loss has multiple contributors that must be addressed simultaneously in the right manner. Our supplement needed to target eight key contributors to hair loss, hair thinning, and shedding, addressing three biological triggers such as stress, gut imbalances, and nutrient deficiencies, while supporting five factors essential to hair growth, health, strength, and density.
We created a comprehensive formula that includes everything from Organic Pea Shoot Extract for denser-looking hair and Saw Palmetto Extract for thickness, and Lactobacillus casei for gut support, all working in synergy to address root causes. These 11 years were necessary to achieve the level of comprehensive effectiveness we demanded.
M: What’s next for you and for Hårklinikken?
LS: What’s next for Hårklinikken is about deepening our impact through continued scientific advancement while staying close to our roots and the relationships that define us.
We’re expanding our research capabilities to explore new frontiers in scalp health and hair regeneration. The scientific foundation we’ve built allows us to investigate deeper mechanisms of hair growth and scalp biology, opening doors to innovations that could revolutionise how we approach these challenges.
But expansion for us isn’t about scale for its own sake. It’s about building stronger, more meaningful relationships with our clients. Every breakthrough we achieve must translate into better outcomes for the individuals who trust us with their hair journey. This means maintaining the personal attention and genuine care that has always been central to how we operate.
