Methods, systems, and computer readable media for restricting a number of hops conducted in a communications network are disclosed. One method includes receiving, by a hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP) proxy element in a first network region, a service request message including a header section that specifies a maximum number of hops value and conducting a search for a producer network function (NF) in the first network region to provide a network service requested in the service request message. The method further includes determining the maximum number of hops value in the header section of the service request message if the HTTP proxy element is unable to locate the producer NF in the first network region, reducing the maximum number of hops value in the header section of the service request message by one to derive an updated maximum number of hops value if the HTTP proxy element determines that the maximum number of hops value in the header section is greater than zero, and directing the service request message containing the updated maximum number of hops value to a second HTTP proxy element located in a second network region.