Hair loss is common. While there are some medications approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), you may wish to use more natural remedies for various reasons.
To help you find the best treatment for your hair loss, we’ve collected many possible treatments, including prescription medications, over-the-counter (OTC) treatments, natural treatments, hair transplants, and even some lifestyle changes you can start immediately.
The FDA has approved minoxidil and finasteride to treat male pattern baldness. These ingredients can be found in prescription medication.
Finasteride is a pill you take every day. It’s only available with a prescription from a doctor.
Some people experiencing hair loss may benefit from combining minoxidil and finasteride in a prescription treatment. While minoxidil is available OTC, the highest available concentration is 5%. A prescription is required for anything above 5%.
It may take up to 1 year to see results from these treatments. You’ll need to keep taking them to maintain the benefits.
Minoxidil is a generic medication that does not require a prescription. You apply it to your scalp twice daily to help encourage hair regrowth and prevent hair loss.
None of these options stand out?
Check out these reviews of some of the top places to buy hair loss treatments online, including a closer look at how they compare:
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Both procedures are considered surgery, so they can be expensive and may cause some level of discomfort. There are also certain risks, including infections and scarring.
You may need to do multiple hair transplant treatments to get your desired outcome.
Follicular unit transplantation (FUT)
FUT is the more “classic” method. It may also be called strip harvesting by some medical professionals.
FUT involves removing some skin, typically from the back of your scalp, where there’s an abundance of hair. A surgeon then removes the hair follicles from that strip of skin and reinserts them into the part of your scalp where you’re experiencing hair loss.
Follicular unit excision (FUE)
During FUE, a surgeon removes hair follicles directly from your scalp and transplants them into the bald parts of your scalp. Direct hair implantation is a modified version of this technique in which a specialized tool is used to complete the procedure.
Other resources about hair loss and treatment
Laser treatment is thought to help reduce the inflammation in hair follicles, preventing regrowth in some types of hair loss, such as alopecia areata.
There are limited studies to support the effectiveness of laser treatments for hair loss. But both a
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Quit smoking
Most people, including those who smoke, are likely well aware of the negative effects of smoking on overall health. But many may not know that smoking could be associated with hair loss as well.
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If you smoke, quitting may help decrease hair loss.
Try scalp massage
Massages not only feel wonderful but also may help with hair loss. Massaging your scalp stimulates your hair follicles.
Research from 2019 found that scalp massages were associated with self-perceived improvements in hair density.
A 2020 study suggests that scalp massage helped women with cancer regrow hair loss that resulted from chemotherapy (chemo). Researchers reported that their hair regrowth was “significantly improved” compared with those who didn’t receive a scalp massage.
Eat a balanced diet
A balanced diet may help keep your hair healthy. It’s important to include a variety of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, unsaturated fats, and lean proteins in your diet. Limiting your consumption of sweets is also helpful.
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- iron-rich foods, including lean beef, beans, green leafy vegetables, iron-fortified grains, and eggs
- foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, such as salmon, mackerel, tuna, flaxseed, egg yolks, hemp seeds, and walnuts
- high protein foods, such as eggs, lean meats, and seafood
Drinking plenty of water is also an important part of a balanced diet.
Try to reduce stress
Stress can have negative effects on your body, including your hair, and can lead to hair loss.
Strategies that may help reduce stress include:
- getting regular physical activity
- listening to music
- practicing yoga
- meditating
- getting enough sleep
Saw palmetto
Saw palmetto is a plant with small berries.
While research is sparse on saw palmetto’s ability to treat hair loss, a
Biotin
Biotin is a vitamin naturally found in certain foods, such as nuts, avocados, sweet potatoes, eggs, onions, and oats.
There’s some evidence that taking biotin may help slow hair loss,
There’s a
Bhringraj
Bhringraj (Eclipta alba), also called false daisy, is a species in the sunflower family. In Ayurvedic medicine, it’s known as an herb that supports hair regrowth.
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Green tea
Another purported herbal remedy for hair loss is green tea.
In a
Hibiscus
Chinese hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis) is marketed widely in India for hair regrowth. A
Any of the following factors could cause hair loss.
Genetics and family history
If your relatives have hair loss, you’re more likely to develop it. Male pattern baldness, or androgenic alopecia, is a genetic condition that causes gradual hair loss. This could show up as a slowly receding hairline or thinning patches on the crown of your head.
Medical conditions
Some medical conditions, such as hormonal conditions and autoimmune diseases, cause hair loss.
For example, thyroid problems, scalp infections, or trichotillomania (a hair-pulling disorder) could lead to thinning hair or bald patches.
An autoimmune condition called alopecia areata develops when your immune system attacks hair follicles, resulting in bald patches.
Medications and medical treatments
Hair loss is a potential side effect of several medications for diseases such as cancer, depression, gout, heart disease, and arthritis.
Stress
Chronic stress or stressful events could lead to temporary hair thinning.
Consider speaking with a doctor if you:
- experience sudden patchy hair loss
- think a medication may be causing your hair loss
- also have a rash
- have scaly skin
The following conditions could lead to hair loss:
If you have any of these conditions or you’re experiencing other symptoms besides hair loss, talk with a doctor about treating underlying conditions. Your hair loss should improve as your condition improves.
Certain medications can also lead to hair loss, including:
- chemotherapy and radiation treatments
- some blood thinners (anticoagulants)
- some depression medications
- medications used to treat high blood pressure
- some heart medications
- gout medications
- isotretinoin (Accutane), an acne treatment
A note on prescription medications
It’s wise to talk with a doctor before stopping or changing a medication you’re currently taking.
If you’ve started noticing thinning hair or you have a family history of male pattern hair loss, you may not be able to completely stop your hair loss. But you may be able to slow or prevent it.
Consider trying these tips to help prevent male hair loss:
- finding ways to lower your stress levels
- supporting your overall health by following a nutritious eating pattern and staying physically active
- avoiding hairstyles that tug and pull on your hair
- using hair products that may help prevent hair loss
- avoiding smoking
- trying scalp massages
- talking with a healthcare professional to see whether any medications or medical conditions could be increasing your hair loss
The cost of hair loss treatment depends on which treatment you decide to try. The following table provides an estimate of costs.
| Method | Cost |
|---|---|
| finasteride | from $26.67 for a 3-month supply |
| minoxidil | from per month |
| hair transplant | anywhere from $6,000 to $15,000 |
| laser treatment | anywhere from $200 to $3,000 |
Generic medications and OTC supplements tend to be less expensive.
Hair can grow back as long as the hair follicle is still producing hairs, especially if you can improve blood flow to these follicles.
Hair follicles that have closed or not produced a hair in years are unlikely to grow any hair again.
OTC medications, prescription medications, and home remedies may work for male hair regrowth in some cases. But these methods do not work for everyone.
Rogaine works best for people with hereditary baldness at the back of the head, just under the crown, especially when it’s taken orally.
Hair transplants are usually more successful than OTC products. But if you have widespread thinning or baldness, or your hair loss is due to chemo or medications, transplants will not be as effective.
The success of a hair loss treatment depends on the treatment you’re using to get your hair back.
If you’re taking an OTC or prescription medication, such as Rogaine or Propecia, you’ll have to keep taking it long term to maintain results.
It’s possible to regrow hair with medication, other treatments, or a combination of the two. But there are some instances and conditions in which regrowth is not possible.
If you’re experiencing hair loss or thinning due to increased stress or a change in your nutrition, your hair will likely begin to regrow over time when your stress levels drop or you change your nutritional intake.
But if your hair loss is caused by scalp damage and scarring, such as from staples used to treat a head injury, medications like minoxidil and finasteride are unlikely to stimulate hair regrowth.
If you find limited results from home remedies or OTC products such as Rogaine, talk with a healthcare professional about what might be causing your hair loss and how best to treat it.
There are several treatments you may want to try for hair loss, including OTC and prescription medications, hair implants, and home remedies.
It’s wise to speak with a doctor first. They can help you figure out the cause of your hair loss and decide what the best treatment option might be.