Losing Your Hair? 20 Science-Backed Remedies For Male-Pattern Baldness To Try
Want Your Hair Back?
Hair loss is an astonishingly common affliction that roughly half of all men start to experience by age 50, a rate that continues to go up in older age, negatively affecting male self-esteem. Luckily, there are several modern treatments from prescription medications to advanced therapies that have real, measurable results. Here are 20 science-backed remedies for male-pattern baldness.
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1. Minoxidil
Minoxidil is one of the most well-researched hair loss treatments. It's a topical liquid that works by increasing blood flow to the scalp, stimulating hair follicles.
2. Finasteride
Finasteride is a prescription oral medication that works by slowing the production of DHT, the hormone responsible for hair loss in many men. It's one of the most effective hair loss treatments.
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3. Dutasteride
Dutasteride works similarly to finasteride in that it tackles hair loss at the hormonal level, but it's even more potent. It's typically reserved for men who don't see sufficient results from finasteride.
4. Pumpkin Seed Oil
Pumpkin seed oil, when taken orally or applied to the scalp as a serum, has shown promise as a natural remedy for male-pattern baldness. It works by inhibiting the production of DHT and being anti-inflammatory.
5. Scalp Massage
Scalp massage shows promise as a hair loss treatment because it increases blood flow to the scalp and promotes cell regeneration. It also alleviates chronic tension in the scalp, which may be the cause of hair loss for some people.
6. Ketoconazole Shampoo
Ketoconazole shampoo is both anti-fungal and anti-androgen, meaning it blocks the effects of hair follicle-shrinking DHT. Using 1 percent or 2 percent Ketoconazole shampoo can reduce scalp inflammation and support regrowth, especially when used in conjunction with minoxidil or finasteride.
7. Stress Management
Stress contributes to hair loss by interfering with the delivery of nutrients to the hair follicles and disrupting the balance of hormones in the body. Finding healthy ways to manage stress, like meditation and exercise, may be all you need to halt your hair loss.
8. Biotin
Biotin, also known as B7, is a vitamin that supports hair, skin, and nail health by playing a role in the production of keratin. Biotin supplements have been shown to promote hair growth in deficient individuals.
9. Eating An Anti-Inflammatory Diet
Chronic inflammation in the scalp can damage hair follicles, leading to hair loss. Eating a nutrient-rich, anti-inflammatory diet can help provide vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants needed for a healthy head of hair and reduce oxidative stress.
10. Onion Juice
Onion juice may not be your first choice of things you want to slather on your head, but it's long been used as a natural and inexpensive remedy for hair loss. It's rich in sulfur, which supports the production of keratin, and has antimicrobial properties.
11. Caffeine Shampoo
Caffeine not only stimulates you, but your hair follicles, too. It works by counteracting DHT and prolonging the hair growth phase.
12. Anti-Fungal Shampoo
As certain types of hair loss are linked to fungal infections, anti-fungal shampoos can be effective treatments for some people. They can reduce the follicle-shrinking effects of DHT and restore a healthy scalp.
13. Microneedling
Microneedling helps with hair loss by stimulating hair growth. Pricking the scalp with tiny needles triggers the release of growth factors and increases the absorption of topical products like minoxidil into the scalp.
14. Low-Level Laser Therapy
Low-level laser therapy uses special lights to stimulate hair follicles, increase blood flow, and cell turnover. Studies have found that it can increase hair thickness and density.
15. Platelet-Rich Plasma Therapy
Platelet-rich plasma therapy draws a small amount of your blood and injects it into areas of the scalp where hair loss is happening. This revives dormant hair follicles and improves hair growth and quality.
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16. Hair Transplant Surgery
Hair transplant surgery is a procedure that takes the hair follicles from another area of your body and applies them to your head. It's the most effective permanent hair loss solution.
17. Gentle Hair Care
Hair loss is sometimes caused by repeated over-pulling on hair follicles. Using a wide-toothed comb and avoiding tight hairstyles as well as harsh chemical treatments might be enough to save your hair.
18. Stem Cell Therapy
Stem cell therapy works by revitalising weakened or dormant hair follicles and encouraging the growth of new, healthy hair. It takes stem cells from another part of your body and injects them into areas where hair thinning is happening.
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19. Saw Palmetto
Saw palmetto is an herbal supplement that comes in pill or topical forms that works by blocking the production of DHT. It's a natural, inexpensive, and generally safe treatment to try.
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20. Exosome Therapy
Although in its early stages of testing, exosome therapy has shown promise as a successful regenerative hair loss treatment. It entails injecting a microscopic growth factor-containing substance called an exosome into the scalp, activating follicles.
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