It was once hailed as the most promising supplement that could make hair loss a thing of the past. Raved about in major newspapers, in-flight magazines, and splattered everywhere online, this new hair loss prevention supplement was supposed to be the closest thing we had to a cure for baldness.

Over a decade on from its release, what do we make of what was meant to be a revolutionary new hair loss treatment for men and women?  Did this supplement live up to its claims, or is it just another overhyped gimmick in a long line of failed hair products?

Developed by Oxford Biolabs in Oxford, United Kingdom, and manufactured in Germany, TRX2® Molecular Food Supplement was released to market in 2011. It positioned itself as a revolutionary hair loss prevention supplement, with a completely authentic formula. 

It was claimed that the daily intake of TRX2 Capsules would provide a powerful nutritional stimulant (potassium, BCAA, nicotinamide) with a pure form of a naturally-generated substance (L-Carnitine-L-Tartrate) that stimulates the potassium ion channels within hair follicles. This technique would help facilitate the entry of regulatory compounds and essential nutrients into the hair follicle membrane from both inside and outside.

Any normal person would have absolutely no idea what this all means, but even so, it was new, different, and exciting. TRX2 was something we could all feel optimistic about, and if there was a safe and effective treatment for hair loss, then this certainly seemed to fit the bill. 

Upon its release to market, TRX2 was creating a buzz within the hair loss sector. Social media, as well as various hair loss forums were exploding, with thousands upon thousands of male and female hair loss sufferers discussing the topic of TRX2. 

The brand was featured in major newspapers, advertised in inflight magazines, and pushed heavily online. TRX2 was everywhere. 

Trichologist and content provider for HLRC, David Griffiths, remembers the hype surrounding TRX2 - "I remember reading about TRX2 for the first time in a newspaper. Its potassium theory wasn't something that I was overly familiar with, but it did get me curious, and as someone who works in the hair loss sector, I was keen to know more about this product."

Over ten years on from its release, TRX2 is still on the market, but the question is: how much of its own hype did it live up to? 

It would probably be fair to say that during 2012-2016, TRX2 was the fastest growing hair growth supplement on the market. By the latter part of that period, it would have most likely been the leading hair growth supplement. 

TRX2 offered consumers something completely new and unfamiliar to get excited about, and with its heavy marketing campaign in order, the brand's rise in popularity was inevitable. 

However, with all that said, the only thing that this product would be judged on would be its effectiveness. You can dress something up as much as you like, but when it comes to treating hair loss, the only thing the consumer truly cares about is if it actually works. 

Hair growth supplement brands do not tend to stay on the market for long. They usually peak early, and then eventually fizzle about. This is because, in most cases, the supplement hasn't proved to be effective. 

TRX2 has remained on the market more than a decade after its release, which is an excellent achievement, in itself. The product's popularity isn't what it once was, but people are still buying it, and it still manages to get some positive reviews. 

Unfortunately for the brand, it has also had some negative reviews, which is normally the case with products of this nature. When it comes to hair supplements, results tend to vary from person to person. 

It would be extremely harsh, and inaccurate, to say TRX2 is a scam, because the science and development behind the product seems genuine. However, it was also be inaccurate to assume that TRX2 is a treatment for hair loss, because, in reality, it is not. 

TRX2 claims it can prevent hair loss and help with the maintenance of normal hair growth, in men and women experiencing early stages of hair loss. This is not a far-fetched claim, as there are some multivitamin hair supplements that can enhance hair health, however, there is very little in this formula to suggest that TRX2 can halt hair loss and regrow hair. 

Rather than a hair loss treatment, as it is portrayed to be, TRX2 should be seen as a hair health supplement. If TRX2 was anything more, then we wouldn't have seen a decline in its sales in recent years, for one. 

David Griffiths reviewed TRX2 in 2016. He said of the product "When I look back on the TRX2 journey, I give it plenty of credit where it's due. It was a brave addition to the market, and its science certainly got people curious. Although it hasn't quite lived up to its expectation, performance-wise, I do not think it is a bad product. As far as hair supplements go, TRX2 is actually quite good, but it is not a treatment for baldness." 

In years to come, TRX2 will always have its place in the hair supplements hall of fame. Its significance in this sector cannot be undervalued. TRX2 raised the bar, and therefore made other hair supplement brands raise their game. 

Before TRX2's emergence, the market was packed with cheap, low quality hair supplements, the vast majority of which had no effects on the hair.  TRX2 changed the game, and since it's release, we've seen some high quality, effective hair supplements hit the market, with success. 

TRX2 might not be the most effective hair supplement, but it is definitely not the worst. The potassium theory/formula was brave, but there has been little evidence to suggest that it is effective. The main problem for TRX2 is that the product has gradually gone up in price. Expect to pay in the region of £60 for just one bottle that lasts only four weeks. 

Since the creation of TRX2, Oxford Biolabs have delved deep into other areas of health and wellbeing. They now have supplements for immune support, anti ageing, anti greying, as well as various lotions and gels for the hair, skin, and body. 

For more information on Oxford Biolabs, visit their website https://www.oxfordbiolabs.com/ 

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