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Hair loss can be a nasty by-product of aging.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, about 70% of men experience hair loss as they age, and half experience hair loss by age 50.
Research has shown that approximately 80% of cases of male pattern baldness are due to genetic factors.
According to UCLA Health, up to 40 percent of women will experience noticeable hair loss by age 50.
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Research suggests hair loss may contribute to mental health issues.
According to the National Alopecia Areata Foundation, a 2022 study found that adults with alopecia areata (an autoimmune disease that causes hair loss) are up to 38% more likely to experience clinical depression.
“It’s important to find a specialist who focuses on evidence-based hair restoration and regrowth,” Jimmy Song, MD, told Fox News Digital. (iStock)
Experts say that for those looking to minimize and prevent hair loss, the following five treatments may be helpful:
1. Minoxidil
Manhattan-based dermatologist Brendan Camp, M.D., recommends starting with over-the-counter topical minoxidil, which doesn’t require a prescription.
“This is thought to help keep hair in the growth phase, or anagen phase,” he told Fox News Digital.
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Camp warned that it’s important to avoid getting topical minoxidil on your face, because minoxidil can promote hair growth in unwanted areas.
Oral minoxidil has also been recommended as an off-label treatment for hair loss. This medication is available by prescription only.
“For men with male pattern baldness, it’s important to use a DHT blocker in combination with something like minoxidil to improve blood flow to the scalp,” the doctor said. (iStock)
Camp said the drug is usually prescribed to treat high blood pressure, but one of its side effects is hair growth.
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“Minoxidil is prescribed in low doses to treat hair loss in order to take advantage of this side effect and stimulate hair growth,” Camp said.
2. Oral Finasteride
Oral finasteride is FDA-approved to treat male androgenetic alopecia, also known as male pattern baldness, Camp said.
Finasteride works by limiting the production of a hormone called DHT, which causes hair to shrink and fall out, the doctor said.
Both minoxidil and finasteride are effective and have “established track records in treating hair loss,” the doctor said. (iStock)
Candace Spann, MD, a Las Vegas dermatologist and developer of ReTress, a hair care line for women suffering from hair loss, reiterated the importance of targeting DHT with inhibitors to “improve blood flow to the scalp” and promote hair growth in men.
Jimmy C. Song, MD, medical director of TriBeCa Aesthetics in New York City and a board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon, agreed with Spann and Camp that both minoxidil and finasteride are effective and have “established track records in treating hair loss.”
3. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP)
According to Camp, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is a treatment performed in a doctor’s office where a patient’s blood is drawn and centrifuged to separate the plasma from the red blood cells.
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Injecting plasma rich in platelets and “growth factors” into the scalp “improves hair density and thickness,” he said.
According to the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, PRP is also used to heal wounds from trauma and joint injuries, but it’s also becoming increasingly popular for treating male pattern baldness and promoting the growth of hair transplants.
PRP is a treatment performed in a doctor’s office in which a patient’s blood is drawn and centrifuged to separate the plasma from the red blood cells. (Paul Chin/San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images)
Results are most noticeable six months after scalp injections, but experts say the treatment is not permanent and follow-up injections may be necessary.
Song called hair transplants “an excellent solution for hair restoration for patients who are eligible candidates and are looking for a long-term solution.”
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“Platelet-rich plasma injections enhance hair transplant outcomes and also benefit patients who are not undergoing hair transplants,” he told Fox News Digital.
4. Saw Palmetto
Saw palmetto, an alternative treatment for hair loss, is an over-the-counter supplement derived from a plant.
“Saw palmetto is thought to reduce the amount of the DHT hormone, which causes hair loss,” Camp said.
Saw palmetto is a palm tree native to the southeastern United States that’s often used in supplements to “improve prostate health, balance hormone levels, and prevent hair loss in men,” according to Healthline. (DeAgostini/Getty Images)
“There is limited evidence that saw palmetto can be used as an effective treatment for hair loss, and over-the-counter supplements are not regulated by the FDA,” he noted.
A 2020 study by the National Institutes of Health reported a 60% improvement in overall hair quality in patients with alopecia who used a variety of oral and topical saw palmetto products.
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The study also found that 27% of participants felt that their total hair count had increased, 83% reported an increase in hair density, and 52% said their hair loss had stopped.
5. Scalp treatments and vitamin therapy
Treating hair loss in both men and women is a “multifaceted approach” that also includes treating other issues such as vitamin D deficiency and scalp inflammation, Spann said.
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“Treating female pattern hair loss is more complicated because it requires addressing all of the underlying causes,” she told Fox News Digital.
Treating hair loss in women is “more complicated,” dermatologist says. (iStock)
“It’s important to improve blood flow to the scalp, calm scalp inflammation and correct any underlying vitamin deficiencies.”
Anyone experiencing scalp inflammation, or scalp folliculitis, should see a board-certified dermatologist to identify the cause of their symptoms and determine the appropriate treatment.
Scalp irritation can sometimes be treated at home with warm compresses, antibiotic ointments, antihistamines, and antifungal and antidandruff shampoos. (iStock)
According to the Valley Skin Institute website, some cases can be treated at home with warm compresses, antibiotic ointments, antihistamines, and antifungal and anti-dandruff shampoos.
However, in some cases, you may need prescription medication.
A 2020 study from the National Institutes of Health reported that hair loss patients who used a variety of oral and topical saw palmetto products saw an overall 60% improvement in hair quality. (iStock)
“It’s also important to improve iron deficiency, low iron stores and low vitamin D levels,” Spann added.
According to Harvard Health, many vitamins and minerals play a role in healthy hair growth.
These include vitamins A, B2 (riboflavin), B3 (niacin), B7 (biotin), B9 (folate), B12, C, D, E, iron, selenium, and zinc.
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“Getting enough vitamins and minerals is important for preventing and managing hair loss,” the Harvard Health website states. “Most people can meet all their nutritional needs with a healthy, balanced diet.”
Experts recommend that people who have questions about choosing the right hair loss treatment should consult with their health care provider.
