17 Hair Loss Treatments for Men

 Medications
 Hair transplants
 Laser treatment
 Lifestyle changes
 Alternative remedies
 Hair care tips
 Stop medications
 Cost
 See a doctor
 FAQs
 Takeaway

Michael Andrade/Stocksy

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.

Medication options
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.
Hair transplants
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.

Laser treatment
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.

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Lifestyle changes
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:

 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, flax seeds, egg yolks,
hemp seeds, and walnuts
 high-protein foods, like eggs, lean meats, and seafood

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:

 diabetes
 lupus
 lichen planus
 sarcoidosis
 scalp psoriasis (due to scratching of the scalp)
 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,
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:

 regularly exercising
 listening to music
 practicing yoga
 meditating
 getting enough sleep
Alternative remedies
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 evidenceTrusted 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.

Hair care tips

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.
Consider changing current medications
17. Stop or change a medication

Certain medications can lead to hair loss. Examples include:

 chemotherapy and radiation treatments

 blood thinners (anticoagulants)
 depression medications
 medications used to treat high blood pressure
 heart medications
 gout medications
 isotretinoin (Accutane), an acne treatment

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.

How much does hair loss treatment cost?

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.

When to see a doctor

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
Frequently asked questions about hair loss treatments for
men
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.

The takeaway
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 help you figure out the cause of your hair loss and what the
best treatment option would be.