Hair Growth Products: Do They Work?

If you’ve noticed your hair is thinning or your hairline is receding, you’re likely curious about products that claim to stop hair loss and regrow hair. Many hair loss treatments have been around for decades, but do they actually work?

The short answer is yes. “However, they don’t work for everyone,” cautions Elizabeth Gordon Spratt, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at University Hospitals. “And some treatments work better than others.”

What Causes Hair Loss?

Hair loss is a normal part of the aging process. But it can also occur as a result of:

• Inherited genetic disorders and inflammatory diseases
• Hormonal fluctuations
• Stress
• Pregnancy
• Vitamin and mineral deficiencies
• Certain medications
• Substantial weight loss over a short period of time

Minoxidil (Rogaine)

Sold as Rogaine and other brand names, minoxidil is a drug that can stimulate hair growth, thicken individual hairs that have thinned and slow hair loss. The topical form is a liquid or foam that's applied to the scalp. It’s also available in pill form. Experts don’t fully understand how minoxidil makes hair grow, but it’s thought to increase blood flow to the hair follicles and lengthen the growth phase of hair.

“Minoxidil is very effective for many types of hair loss,” says Dr. Gordon Spratt. “It’s especially helpful for treating androgenetic alopecia – or pattern baldness – the most common form of hair loss in both males and females.” Androgenetic alopecia is called male-pattern baldness in men and female-pattern hair loss in women.

Minoxidil is widely regarded as one of the most effective hair loss medications for both men and women. It works to varying degrees for about 2/3 of people. Those under 40 who’ve just begun to experience hair loss or thinning typically achieve the best results.

Finasteride (Propecia)

Sold under brand names like Propecia, finasteride is an oral medication approved by the FDA to treat male-pattern hair loss. It works by lowering levels of DHT, a hormone that contributes to male-pattern hair loss. DHT shrinks hair follicles over time. By blocking the production of DHT, finasteride can slow hair loss and promote hair regrowth.

“Though results vary from patient to patient, finasteride works for the majority of patients who take it for male-pattern hair loss,” says Dr. Gordon Spratt. “It’s also sometimes prescribed off-label to treat female-pattern hair loss in post-menopausal women, with good results.”

However, Dr. Gordon Spratt cautions that finasteride can cause sexual and other side effects in some users, so it’s important to discuss potential side effects with your doctor before you begin taking it. Some studies have shown that using topical finasteride may be an option for patients who experience bothersome side effects from the pill.

Other Hair Loss Medications

Other hair loss medications that have been proven effective include:

• Spironolactone: This pill can be used by women with hair loss, particularly those with hormonal hair loss. Spironolactone can stimulate new hair growth on the scalp and reduce the growth of facial hair for some patients. It’s not recommended for treating hair loss in men because it can cause erectile dysfunction, the growth of breast tissue and other severe side effects.
• Dutasteride: For men who haven’t responded to finasteride, combining it with a drug called dutasteride can improve results. Like finasteride, dutasteride works by blocking DHT production. Side effects of combined finasteride/dutasteride treatment tend to occur more often and are more severe than taking finasteride alone.
• Immunosuppressants: These medications reduce the activity of the immune system. Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors are FDA approved for treating severe alopecia areata, an autoimmune disease that attacks the body’s hair follicles, causing patchy or sometimes total hair loss. JAK inhibitors can often help patients with severe alopecia areata regrow scalp or body hair.

Vitamins and Other Supplements

Some people with hair loss may benefit from taking vitamins or other dietary supplements. If lab tests show low levels of vitamin D, zinc, hemoglobin, iron and/or ferritin, your doctor may recommend a supplement to counter the deficiency.

Among the most popular supplements touted to help with hair loss are biotin (vitamin B7) and collagen, the most abundant protein found in the human body. However, Dr. Gordon Spratt says taking biotin supplements has been proven ineffective in helping grow hair. Similarly, although collagen supplements may improve the health and thickness of existing hair, evidence of effectiveness in treating hair loss by growing new hair is inconclusive.

Some multi-ingredient supplements, such as Nutra-Fol and Viviscal, are specifically formulated and marketed to regrow hair. Though research has shown some people experience less shedding and improved hair growth with these products, Dr. Gordon Spratt does not widely recommend their use.

Diet and Stress Management

The health of your hair is sensitive to dietary changes and stress levels. Depending on your type of hair loss, adjusting what you eat and drink and taking steps to manage your stress levels may help to reduce hair loss – with or without also taking medication. Here are a few tips:

• Eat a balanced diet: Try sticking to a diet rich in vegetables, fruits, whole grains and lean proteins.
• Eat more calories: Not getting enough calories and protein may lead to hair loss. If your caloric intake is low, try increasing it.
• Avoid certain supplements: If you don’t have a vitamin deficiency, avoid taking high-dose supplements of selenium, vitamin E and vitamin A, as they can harm your hair and contribute to hair loss.
• Practice stress-reducing activities: Try lowering your stress levels by doing regular exercise, yoga, meditation or spending time in nature.
• Practice Good Sleep Habits: Try to get 7-8 hours of quality sleep every night.
• Avoid smoking and alcohol consumption: Both smoking and alcohol consumption may contribute to hair loss.

What’s on the Horizon

In hair loss treatment research, many treatments are tested in clinical trials, but the majority are found to be ineffective early on.

However, Dr. Gordon Spratt is hopeful that even more effective treatments to stop hair loss and regrow hair will soon be available. Current research efforts in this area include stem cell therapy to reactivate stem cells in hair follicles.

Related Links

Dermatologists at University Hospitals provide the latest diagnostics techniques, as well as compassionate, individualized care for a wide range of services and conditions, including hair loss, acne, eczema, dermatitis, psoriasis and skin cancer.