Which Hair Loss Treatment Is Right for You? Best Treatments and Medications

Hair is one of the most unique tools for self-expression. It protects people from the sun and keeps them warm. Hair is also a cultural symbol, and people have a deep relationship with it. Because of this strong relationship, it can be difficult to experience hair loss.

Both men and women can experience hair loss. But the good news is that there are several treatment options available for hair loss.

What causes hair loss?

There are many causes for hair loss. Some common ones include:

• Age

• Genetics

• Stress (telogen effluvium)

• Hormonal changes

• Illness

• Vitamin or iron deficiency

• Autoimmune conditions, like alopecia areata

• Shampoos or chemical treatments

What are the best hair loss treatments for men and women?

The best treatment for hair loss depends on the cause. Most hair loss (like female- and male-pattern baldness) is non-scarring, which means hair is more likely to grow back with treatment.

Scarring hair loss (like chronic traction alopecia) is more likely to be permanent because the hair follicles are scarred over. This type of hair loss is more difficult to treat, especially if it's not caught early. This is true for both men and women. Scarring hair loss is often treated with prescription medications that help manage inflammation. These include hydroxychloroquine, corticosteroids, and doxycycline.

Here are some of the best treatments available for non-scarring hair loss.

Finasteride (Propecia)

Finasteride is a daily medication that you take by mouth. It requires a prescription. Studies show that it can significantly improve hair loss and reverse some hair thinning in men.

Finasteride is not FDA approved for use in women and may cause birth defects in pregnant women. But it's sometimes used "off-label" to treat age-related and other types of hair loss in women after menopause.

Minoxidil (Rogaine)

Minoxidil is available OTC in two strengths (2% and 5%) and different formulations, like liquid, foam, and spray. It's FDA approved to treat scalp hair loss in women and men. Experts are not entirely sure how it works, but it probably dilates (opens) blood vessels, which lets more blood flow to the hair follicles.

Minoxidil is also available as a prescription pill and is used off-label for people who have side effects with topical use. Studies show that the pill is as effective as applying the medication directly to the scalp.

Hair transplants

This is a popular way to reverse hair loss. There are two main types of hair transplants:

• Follicular unit transplantation involves removing a strip of hair from the back of the head.

• Follicular unit extraction involves transplanting individual hair follicles.

Extraction is less likely to cause scarring than transplantation. New hair usually begins growing between 6 to 9 months, and it may take 12 to 15 months to see full results. Insurance does not cover hair transplants.

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP)

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is a newer therapy for hair loss. In this procedure, a sample of your blood is spun in a machine. This separates PRP, a component that's rich in growth factors. PRP is then injected into your scalp to promote hair growth.

Research suggests that monthly PRP treatments for 3 months can stimulate hair growth, but insurance does not cover it.

Microneedling

Microneedling involves injecting small needles into the skin under pressure. It is often used for cosmetic purposes to stimulate collagen production and reduce wrinkles. Microneedling also stimulates stem cells in the hair follicle and promotes growth.

Studies suggest it can improve hair growth more than minoxidil alone. Microneedling is often combined with other treatments, including PRP and minoxidil, but insurance does not cover it.

Triamcinolone steroid injections

Triamcinolone steroid injections into the scalp can help regrow hair. A medical provider can perform these injections at regular intervals until hair starts regrowing. This method can be used to treat non-scarring hair loss due to alopecia areata and different scarring alopecias. Insurance may cover this type of treatment based on your individual case.

Does taking hair loss medication come with risks?

Yes, all prescription medications and treatments have risks. The same is true for hair loss treatments.

These are some more common risks to consider before starting treatment for hair loss:

• Post-finasteride syndrome: In men, finasteride has been reported to lower libido (sex drive) and cause erectile dysfunction. It has also been linked with depression and suicide.

• Hair shedding: Topical liquid or foam minoxidil can cause some hair shedding for the first few months of treatment. This hair will grow back. But it can be disheartening to lose hair with a treatment that's supposed to help regrow hair.

• Infection: Any procedure that involves needles and is used for hair growth (like PRP) has a risk of infection.

• Scarring: Hair transplants may cause scalp scarring and infection. And there's also the risk that you may not achieve the results you were hoping for.

Which supplements can treat hair loss?

If you're not ready for prescription medications or procedures yet, you may be wondering what else you can try. Some over-the-counter supplements may help you regrow your hair, but the research behind them is unclear.

Here's what studies show about different supplements for hair loss:

• Collagen: These supplements can help improve skin hydration and elasticity. Collagen has become a popular supplement for hair growth. But there are no clinical trials studying collagen's effects on hair. Taking oral collagen supplements does not appear to have any negative risks.

• Biotin (vitamin B7): Biotin is a long-standing supplement for hair loss. But there's no conclusive data that biotin helps regrow hair. In 2017, the FDA issued a warning about biotin supplementation. This is because high biotin levels can interfere with certain blood tests, leading to incorrect results. Be sure to let your healthcare provider know if you're taking biotin.

• Vitamin D:Studies show that people with alopecia areata have lower levels of vitamin D than those who don't have it. Vitamin D supplementation might help treat inflammation around the hair follicle, but more research is needed.

• Zinc: Severe zinc deficiency can be a trigger for hair loss. Infants fed on milk formula, people who consume excessive amounts of alcohol, and people with malnutrition are at risk for zinc deficiency. Supplementation can help treat zinc deficiency and regrow hair.

• Iron: An iron deficiency may contribute to hair loss. Iron supplementation may be helpful in regrowing your hair.

It's best to speak with your medical provider before starting any supplements. If you think you have a nutritional deficiency, see your provider to get tested. Taking excessive amounts of supplements may do more harm than good.

Can you naturally regrow hair loss?

It really depends on the cause. Some types of hair loss can go away on their own, which is followed by hair regrowth. An example of this is hair loss caused by stress (telogen effluvium).

Other types of hair loss either need medical treatment for the hair loss, or for the underlying medical condition that may be causing it.

That said, there is a link between scalp health and hair growth. So, in addition to other treatments, natural treatments aimed at supporting scalp health may help support hair regrowth.

People have tried a range of strategies to support scalp and hair growth. There isn't a whole lot of good evidence for any of these, but they're very unlikely to harm you:

• Scalp massage

• Essential oils, like peppermint and rosemary

• Jojoba and coconut oil

• Melatonin applied to the scalp

• Caffeine shampoos

When should you see a dermatologist?

Hair loss can be a sign of a problem inside your body. For example, hormonal imbalances - such as those in polycystic ovary syndrome and hypothyroidism - can lead to hair loss.

An early evaluation by a dermatologist can help find the cause of your hair loss. A dermatologist can examine your hair and order tests to make sure a serious cause for your hair loss is not missed. Knowing the cause of your hair loss can help speed up treatment and hair regrowth.