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Loading... Aug 7, 2024 · Three board-approved dermatologists tried and tested the best hair-loss treatments that are worth worth your time, money, and effort.
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What is the best hair loss treatment for men?
Does Roman have a hair loss treatment?
How can I improve my hair health?
- Overview
- Causes of hair loss in males
- Medication options
- Hair transplants
- Laser treatment
- Lifestyle changes
- Natural remedies
- What is male pattern baldness?
- Hair care tips
- Visit a doctor
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Hair loss treatments vary from hair transplants and laser treatments to medications. If you’re looking for a treatment for men, read along to see our picks broken down into the pros, cons, and costs.
Hair loss can’t always be prevented and can be caused by either genetics or the environment. But there are treatments and remedies that might help slow down the process.
Hair loss could be caused by:
•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 where people gradually lose hair. This could show up as a slowing receding hairline or thinning patches on the crown of your head.
•Medication conditions: Some medical conditions like hormonal problems or 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 the immune system attacks hair follicles resulting in bald patches.
•Medications and medical treatments: Hair loss is a potential side effect of several medications for conditions like cancer, depression, gout, heart disease, and arthritis.
•Stress: Chronic stress or stressful events could lead to temporary hair thinning.
No matter the cause, finding a treatment can vary based on the factors listed above and personal preference. To weigh your options, see which type of treatment could work best for you from our picks below.
Prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) medication
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved two medications to treat male pattern baldness: •Minoxidil (Rogaine): Rogaine is available over the counter as a liquid or foam in a Men’s Rogaine and Women’s Rogaine formula. It’s applied to the scalp twice per day to help encourage hair growth and prevent hair loss. Minoxidil is the active ingredient in Rogaine, and it’s also available in a generic form as a liquid solution or as an oral tablet. Both Rogaine and minoxidil can take 4–6 months to see results. Results also depend on proper application and dosage. •Finasteride (Propecia, Proscar): Finasteride is a pill that you take daily. It’s only available with a prescription from your doctor. The FDA states that it will generally take at least 3 months of daily use to see results from the drug. •Combination minoxidil and finasteride: Some people experiencing hair loss may benefit from combining minoxidil and finasteride together through a prescription treatment. While minoxidil is available over the counter, the highest available concentration is 5%. A prescription is required for anything above 5%, but through services like Roman, Keeps, and Happy Head, subscribers can be evaluated to see if they would benefit from this treatment and a minoxidil concentration above 5%. For both minoxidil and finasteride, it may take up to 1 year to see results, and you’ll need to keep taking them to maintain the benefits.
Can I buy hair loss medication online?
You can buy many of the most popular hair loss medications online and in most cases, have them shipped discreetly to your home. Here are our reviews of two of the top places to buy these medications online, including a closer look at how they stack up against each other: •Keeps Review 2023: How Well Does It Work for Hair Loss? •Hims Hair Loss Treatment Review •Hims vs. Keeps: Which Hair Loss Subscription Is Right for You? •A 2023 Review of Happy Head for Hair Loss: Does it Actually Work? Was this helpful?
The two most popular hair transplant procedures are follicular unit transplantation and follicular unit extraction.
Keep in mind that both hair transplant 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 the desired outcome.
Follicular unit transplantation (FUT)
FUT is the more “classic” method. It involves removing some skin, typically from the back of your scalp, where there’s an abundance of hair. A surgeon then removes the follicles from that strip of skin. Finally, they reinsert the hair follicles into the part of the scalp where you’re experiencing hair loss.
Follicular unit extraction (FUE)
Laser treatment is thought to help reduce the inflammation in follicles that prevents regrowth for some types of hair loss like alopecia areata. For other types of hair loss, a 2013 review suggests that treatment from low-level laser therapy (LLLT) may increase hair growth through other mechanisms.
There are limited studies to support the effectiveness of laser treatments for hair loss. But a 2015 review indicates that LLLT is safe and effective when used to treat male pattern hair loss.
Quit smoking
If you’re a smoker, you’ve likely heard about the negative effects smoking has on your lungs. But did you know that smoking may be associated with hair loss? A 2020 study involving 1,000 men found that the majority of those who smoked had some degree of hair loss, compared with less than half of the participants who did not smoke. If you smoke, quitting may help decrease hair loss.
Scalp massage
Not only do massages feel wonderful, but they may help with hair loss, too. Massaging the scalp stimulates the hair follicles. In a small 2016 study, healthy Japanese men who received 4 minutes of scalp massage each day for 24 weeks had thicker hair at the end of the study. Research from 2019 also showed that scalp massages were associated with self-perceived improvements in hair density.
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 sweets is also helpful. A 2018 literature review suggests an association between certain vitamins and minerals found in food and healthy hair. Consider adding these foods to your diet: •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, flaxseeds, 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.
Oils
Some evidence from a 2014 mice study suggests that peppermint oil may help with hair growth. Rosemary oil has also been traditionally used to increase blood circulation in the scalp. A 2013 study indicated that rosemary leaf extract improved hair regrowth in mice. Coconut oil, castor oil, and olive oil are also widely recommended. But according to a 2020 review of research, their benefits for hair growth are limited.
Saw palmetto
Saw palmetto is a plant with small berries. While research is sparse on saw palmetto’s ability to treat hair loss, a 2020 review suggests it may help with hair growth while having few side effects.
Biotin
Biotin is a vitamin found naturally in foods like: •nuts •sweet potatoes •eggs •onions •oats There’s some evidence that taking biotin may help slow hair loss, but most of the research has been done in women with a biotin deficiency. However, there is a lack of evidence to support supplementing with biotin actually has a noticeable effect in healthy individuals.
Male pattern baldness, also known as androgenetic alopecia, is an inherited trait. Medline Plus states that it affects more than half of men over age 50. However, stress or other autoimmune conditions such as alopecia areata can also affect hair loss.
It’s typical to lose around 50 to 100 hairs every day. Usually, this loss isn’t noticeable because new hair grows to replace the hair lost. Hair loss and baldness occur when hair falls out too quickly or new hairs stop growing.
Be gentle with your locks
Try to be as gentle as possible when brushing or styling your hair. Constantly twisting, twirling, or pulling your hair tight can lead to hair loss. If you’re worried about hair loss, you may want to avoid the following: •tight hairstyles, such as pigtails, cornrows, braids, and buns •chemicals used in perms and hair straightening treatments •hot curling irons or straightening irons •bleaching your hair If you do use chemicals or bleach in your hair, get help from a trained professional. Do not try to do it yourself at home.
Get a checkup
Aside from your genetics, several medical conditions can cause hair loss. Treating any underlying medical conditions can help address your hair loss. The following conditions could lead to hair loss: •diabetes •lupus •lichen planus •sarcoidosis •scalp psoriasis •alopecia areata •thyroid conditions •eating disorders, due to poor nutrition •iron deficiency anemia •hair-pulling disorder, known as trichotillomania •celiac disease •syphilis If you have any of these conditions, or if 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.
Discuss your medications with a physician
Certain medications can lead to hair loss. Examples include: •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
Talk with your doctor before stopping or changing a medication you’re currently taking. Was this helpful?
Learn about the most effective options for hair restoration, from medications and transplants to natural remedies and lifestyle changes. Compare prices, benefits, risks, and side effects of different treatments and find out how to buy them online.
May 23, 2024 · Learn about the types, methods, and costs of hair transplant surgeries for men with male pattern baldness. Find out how to prepare, recover, and maintain your new hair.
- Mary Anne Dunkin
Sep 20, 2024 · Best liquid: Ro Minoxidil. Best topical: Happy Head TopicalRx Solution. Best scalp treatment: iRESTORE Elite. Best red light: Higherdose Red Light Hat. Best for receding hairlines: Keeps. Best for...
Mar 27, 2023 · Learn about the most effective products to treat hair loss, from minoxidil and finasteride to scalp serums and laser devices. Find out what to look for, what to avoid, and how much to spend on hair-loss treatments.
- Senior Writer, The Strategist
Jul 21, 2023 · Learn how hair transplant surgery works, who is a good candidate, and what to expect from the procedure. Compare hair transplant with medical therapy and other options for hair loss.
Feb 2, 2022 · Top performer: The analysis found taking 0.5 milligrams a day of oral dutasteride had the highest probability of reducing male hair loss. Dutasteride is a prescription drug approved by the...
