Which Hair Loss Treatment Is Right for Me?

Written by Alina Goldenberg, MD, MAS, FAAD | Reviewed by Mandy Armitage, MD Published on March 24, 2022

Key takeaways:

• Hair loss is common in both men and women.
• Hair loss can be a sign of an underlying medical issue, so it’s important to see your primary care provider or a dermatologist for help.
• Treatments for hair loss include prescription medications, supplements, and procedures.

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Hair is one of the most unique tools for self-expression. It protects us from the sun and keeps us 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 several treatment options are available.

Here we’ll review some recommendations for hair loss treatments for both men and women.

How does hair loss occur?

Hair loss can be divided into two major categories: scarring and non-scarring.

Scarring hair loss happens because of inflammation around the base of the hair follicle. This type of hair loss is often because of an autoimmune condition. Scarring hair loss often leads to a lot of redness, flaking, pain, and burning in the scalp.

Non-scarring hair loss is different. In general, non-scarring hair loss can be treated and often your hair will grow back. In non-scarring hair loss, it is important to find out why your hair is falling out. If your hair is breaking, it is often because of grooming habits, like overwashing or chemical treatments. If your hair is shedding from the scalp, it usually means the cause is in the scalp or the body. Round, painless patches of hair loss are often due to alopecia areata.

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

• Stress
• Hormonal changes
• Illness
• Vitamin or iron deficiency 
• Age 
• Genetics

When should I see a dermatologist?

Hair loss can be a sign of a problem inside your body. For example, hormonal imbalances — such as those in polycystic ovarian syndrome — 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 time.

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

It’s important to know that treatment for hair loss depends on the cause. Most non-scarring hair loss can be successfully treated, whereas most scarring hair loss is difficult to treat. Most hair loss treatments work for both men and women.

The following treatments are often used for non-scarring hair loss conditions:

• Finasteride (Propecia): Finasteride is a daily oral medication that 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 is sometimes used “off-label” to treat age-related and other types of hair loss in women after menopause. 
• Minoxidil (Rogaine): Minoxidil is a liquid (non-prescription) or a foam (prescription) medication applied to the scalp daily. It works by dilating blood vessels, which allows more blood flow to the hair follicles. Minoxidil is also available in a pill form for those who have side effects with the topical forms. The pill form has some risks of lowering blood pressure, and it requires a prescription. Studies show that the pill form may be as effective as the topical form.
• 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. Transplantation is less likely to cause scarring than extraction. New hair usually begins growing at about 6 months, and it may take 12 to 15 months to see full results. Hair transplants are not covered by insurance.
• Platelet rich plasma (PRP): PRP is a newer therapy for hair loss. In this procedure, a sample of blood is spun in a machine. This extracts a component called “platelet rich plasma,” which is rich in growth factors. PRP is then injected into your scalp to promote hair growth. Research suggests that monthly treatments for 3 months can stimulate hair growth. PRP is not covered by insurance and can be painful.
• Microneedling: This process 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.
• Triamcinolone steroid injections: Injections of a steroid called triamcinolone into the scalp can help regrow hair. A medical provider can perform these injections at regular intervals until hair starts regrowing. This method is often used to treat hair loss due to alopecia areata, and inflammatory hair loss conditions like frontal fibrosing alopecia.

Scarring hair loss is often treated with prescription medications that help manage inflammation. These include spironolactone and doxycycline.

Does hair loss treatment come with risks?

Yes, all prescription medications and surgical treatments for hair loss have possible risks. Some of the more common ones include:

• Post-finasteride syndrome: In men, finasteride has been reported to lower libido 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 is 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 have a risk of scarring your scalp and infection. There is also a risk of not getting the cosmetic results you expected.

What 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 are some examples:

• 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. Future studies will help figure out collagen’s full effects.
• Biotin (vitamin B7): Biotin is a long-standing supplement for hair loss. But there is 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 be helpful in treating 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 hair loss be regrown naturally?

It depends. Some types of hair loss can go away on their own, leading to hair regrowth. An example of this is hair loss caused by stress. Other types of hair loss either need medical treatment or treatment of an underlying medical condition that may be to blame. That’s why it’s important to share your concerns about your hair loss with your medical provider and get to the bottom of it first. 

The bottom line

Hair loss is common in both men and women. Treatments range from medications such as minoxidil to procedures such as PRP injections. Supplements like collagen, vitamin D, iron, and zinc may also help you regrow your hair in some situations. A dermatologist can help you figure out which type of hair loss you have and understand your treatment options.