17 Hair Loss Treatments for Men

 17 Hair Loss Treatments for Men

Male pattern baldness, also known as androgenetic alopecia, is an inherited trait. It affects more than half of men over the age of 50.

You can’t always prevent your hair from falling out as you age, but there are treatments and remedies that might slow down the process.

Before you go out and buy supplements and special tonics, learn which ones have shown some promise in preventing or treating hair loss.

Here are 17 hair loss treatments you can talk with your doctor about.

1. Prescription and 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 (OTC) as a liquid or foam. Apply it to the scalp twice a day to encourage hair growth and prevent hair loss.
  • Finasteride (Propecia, Proscar). Finasteride is a pill that you take daily. It’s only available with a prescription from your doctor.

For both minoxidil and finasteride, it may take up to a year to see results, and you’ll need to keep taking them to maintain the benefits.

2. Hair transplants

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 be painful.

There are also certain risks, including infections and scarring. You may also 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 from the back of your scalp where there’s an abundance of hair, removing the follicles from that strip of skin, and then reinserting the hair follicles into the part of the scalp where you’re experiencing hair loss.

Follicular unit extraction (FUE)

In FUE, hair follicles are removed directly from the scalp and transplanted to the bald parts of the scalp.

3. Laser treatment

Laser treatment is thought to reduce the inflammation in follicles that keeps them from regrowing.

There are limited studies to support their effectiveness in treating hair loss, but a 2016 reviewTrusted Source determined that low-level laser therapy (LLLT) is safe and effective when used to treat male pattern hair loss.

More research is still needed.

4. Quit smoking

If you’re a smoker, you’ve probably heard about all the negative effects smoking has on your lungs. But did you know that smoking can cause hair loss?

A 2020 studyTrusted Source of 1,000 men found that the majority of those who smoked had some amount of hair loss, compared with less than half of the participants who didn’t smoke.

To prevent hair loss, it may be a good idea to quit smoking as soon as possible.

5. Scalp massage

Not only do massages feel wonderful, but they can help with hair loss, too. Massaging the scalp stimulates the hair follicles.

In a small 2016 studyTrusted Source, 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 found that scalp massages were associated with self-perceived improvements in hair density.

6. Balanced diet

A well-balanced diet can keep your hair in tip-top shape. Make sure you’re including a variety of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, unsaturated fats, and lean proteins in your diet. And limit your intake of sweets.

Certain vitamins and minerals found in food are associated with healthy hair. Try adding these:

Last but not least, make sure you’re drinking plenty of water.

7. Get a checkup

Aside from your genetics, there are several medical conditions that can result in hair loss. You’ll be able to address your hair loss by treating the underlying condition.

The following conditions could lead to hair loss:

If you have any of these conditions, or if you’re experiencing other symptoms besides hair loss, make sure you visit your doctor and get the treatment you need. Your hair loss should improve as your condition improves.

8. Reduce stress

Stress can really do a number on the body, including your hair. Hair loss may be a result of a stressful lifestyle.

Strategies to reduce stress include:

9. Oils

There’s some evidenceTrusted Source that peppermint oil can help with hair growth. Rosemary oil has also been traditionally used to increase blood circulation to the scalp.

A 2013 studyTrusted Source found that rosemary leaf extract improved hair regrowth in mice.

Coconut oil, castor oil, and olive oil are also widely recommended, but research on their benefits for hair growth is limited.

10. Saw palmetto

Saw palmetto is a plant with small berries that’s often used as part of a treatment plan for an enlarged prostate.

While research is narrow on saw palmetto’s ability to treat hair loss, a 2020 reviewTrusted Source found that it may help with hair growth while having few side effects.

11. Biotin

Biotin is a vitamin found naturally in foods, like:

  • nuts
  • sweet potatoes
  • eggs
  • onions
  • oats

There’s some evidence trusted Source that taking biotin supplements by mouth may slow hair loss, but most of the research has been done in women.

12. Onion juice

A 2014 studyTrusted Source showed that the use of onion juice as a topical treatment resulted in significantly more regrowth than just tap water in people with patchy alopecia areata.

13. Bhringraj

Bhringraj (Eclipta alba), also called false daisy, is a species in the sunflower family known in Ayurvedic tradition as an herb that supports hair growth.

Studies in mice have shown that extracts of the herb show better hair regrowth than minoxidil. However, more research is needed to confirm these effects in humans.

14. Green tea

Another purported herbal remedy for hair loss is green tea.

An older 2005 studyTrusted Source in mice on the polyphenolic compounds present in green tea showed promise as a natural remedy for hair loss. But there haven’t been human studies to confirm these effects.

15. Hibiscus

Hibiscus rosa-sinesis is marketed widely in India for hair growth. An older 2003 studyTrusted Source on mice showed positive effects on hair follicles, but no studies have been done in humans.

16. 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
  • hot oil treatments
  • 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, seek help from a trained professional. Don’t try to do it yourself at home.

17. Stop or change a medication

Certain medications can lead to hair loss. Examples include:

Warning

Talk with your doctor before stopping or changing a medication you’re currently taking.

You may need to wait a while before it’s safe to stop taking the medication. In most cases, your hair should return after you stop treatment.

The cost for hair loss treatment depends on which treatment you decide to try.

For example:

  • Rogaine costs around $40 to $50 for a 3-month supply.
  • Propecia costs around $70 for a 1-month supply.
  • Hair transplants cost anywhere from $4,000 to $15,000.

Generic medications, as well as OTC supplements, tend to be less expensive.

See your doctor if you:

  • experience sudden patchy hair loss
  • think a medication may be causing your hair loss
  • also have a rash
  • have scaly skin

Which hair loss treatment is best for me?

Talk with your doctor to figure out which hair loss treatment may be best for you. While OTC and home remedies may work for some, they aren’t for everyone.

If your hair loss is caused by an underlying medical issue, or if it’s a side effect from a medication you’re taking, OTC treatments might not work.

Does hair loss treatment work?

Some people find success with hair loss treatments, like OTC and prescription medications and home remedies. However, they don’t work for everyone.

For example, Rogaine works best for people with hereditary baldness at the back of the head, just under the crown.

Hair transplants are usually more successful than OTC products. However, if you have widespread thinning or baldness, or if your hair loss is due to chemo or medications, they won’t be as effective.

What happens if I stop hair loss treatment?

It depends on the treatment you’re using. If you’re taking an OTC or prescription medication, like Rogaine or Propecia, you’ll have to keep taking it indefinitely in order to maintain results.

How can I permanently treat hair loss?

Hair implants are permanent. However, you may need multiple implants depending on your goals.

There are several treatments you may want to try for hair loss. These include OTC and prescription medications, hair implants, and home remedies.

Talk with your doctor first. They can

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