Which hair loss treatments really work? Here's what dermatologists say

• Minoxidil and finasteride are two FDA-approved medications considered the gold standard for treating hair loss.
• Other treatments like low-level light therapy, PRP injections, and supplements may also be effective, especially when combined.
• The effectiveness of a treatment often depends on the underlying cause of an individual's hair loss.

If you’re struggling with hair loss, you might find it reassuring to know you’re definitely not alone. In fact, an estimated 80 million Americans — that’s one in four people in the U.S. — are affected by this common issue.

Fortunately, there’s no shortage of hair loss treatment options today, from prescription medications and over-the-counter supplements to topical shampoos and serums and high-tech lasers. Unfortunately, though, it can be hard to tell whether these products actually live up to their often lofty promises. Do hair loss treatments actually work? According to experts, they’re not all created equal. 

So, which treatments are backed by solid evidence, and which ones are simply over hyped? We spoke with several board-certified dermatologists and certified trichologists to find out.

What is the most effective hair loss treatment?

The most effective hair loss treatments include FDA-approved medications like topical Minoxidil (Rogaine) and oral Finasteride (Propecia). These medications help stimulate hair growth, which can stop hair loss or at the very least, slow it down. Both medications require a prescription from a doctor, or a telehealth company like Hims or Hers.

Other non-surgical hair loss treatment options include platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections, supplements and low level light therapy. Find out more about these options and the research that backs them below.

Minoxidil

Minoxidil is widely considered the gold-standard hair loss treatment says Dr. Kimberly Salkey, MD, Associate Professor and Residency Program Director for the VCU Health System Department of Dermatology. She explains that's because it often works regardless of the cause.

The topical version of minoxidil is available over the counter (primarily under the brand name Rogaine) at concentrations of 2-5%, and by prescription at stronger concentrations of 10-15%. In more severe cases of hair loss, a doctor might prescribe oral minoxidil, which is generally absorbed better by the body but also typically comes with more side effects. 

According to Dr. Andrea Austin, MD, a double board-certified dermatologist at Bay Area Cosmetic Dermatology, minoxidil promotes hair growth by increasing oxygen, nutrient, and blood supply to the follicles.

As far as hair loss treatments go, Dr. Hadley King, MD — a board-certified dermatologist in private practice — says topical and oral minoxidil has yielded some of the best results she’s seen in patients.

One reason why experts often recommend minoxidil is that there’s a lot of research showing it both reduces hair loss and enhances hair growth. One 2025 review of 27 studies found that 35% of people who use oral minoxidil saw a significant improvement in hair loss and 47% saw some improvement. Another meta-analysis showed that people who used topical minoxidil for several months grew significantly more new hairs than people who didn’t. 

Note that topical minoxidil is one of the only FDA-approved treatments for hair loss. Even though oral minoxidil is considered effective for hair loss, it’s technically only FDA-approved for high blood pressure, and prescribed “off-label” for hair loss. Some studies have suggested that topical minoxidil is just as effective, too.

Keep in mind, though, that it’s common to experience some shedding in the first 2-6 weeks of using minoxidil, according to Salkey. 

“This is a good sign of response because it stimulates new hairs to grow in, pushing out the old ones,” she explains.

Finasteride

Also known by the brand names Propecia and Proscar, this prescription-only medication is FDA-approved specifically for male pattern hair loss. That’s because it works by lowering levels of dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which causes hair follicles to shrink. While hair loss is strongly linked to DHT levels in men, it’s not a common cause in women. 

King has seen much success with this treatment — but Salkey notes that the earlier you start it, the better your results will likely be. The largest systematic review of research on finasteride for hair loss revealed impressive findings. Finasteride users were around 1.8 times more likely to report an improvement in hair growth. In terms of the actual number of hairs on their heads, people who took finasteride had about 9.4% more than those who took a placebo after around 12 months of use, and a whopping 24.3% after closer to 24 months of use.

By the way — combining finasteride with minoxidil may yield better results than minoxidil alone. A 2025 systematic review and meta-analysis revealed that men who used a topical combo of both medications saw greater improvements in hair count and thickness than men who only took minoxidil.

Low level light therapy

While research is still mounting, studies suggest that exposing the skin to specific wavelengths of light can extend the growth phase of hair, reduce the inflammation that damages follicles and interferes with the growth cycle, and improve the density and thickness of hair. This is known as low level light therapy. According to Salkey, these wavelengths of light can also widen blood vessels, allowing more nutrients and blood flow to the hair follicles.

“It’s always better to use devices that are FDA cleared,” says Jessica Weiser, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Weiser Skin MD. “It implies safety and efficacy, and simultaneously shows that the company is invested in the quality of the product they are producing. “It’s also important to find devices that lay closer to the scalp for more direct coverage, and full scalp coverage tends to yield better and more consistent results than more focal headband design.”

Austin recommends the FDA-cleared Capillus laser caps, which was shown in one small study to boost hair growth in women.

For best results, Weiser advises using a low level light therapy cap or helmet three to five times a week alongside a scalp serum with growth factors or scalp-supporting peptides.

A 2022 review found that using a low-level light therapy device alongside minoxidil can be more powerful than only using minoxidil, too. People who used both had a 78% improvement in hair regrowth, whereas people who used minoxidil alone had about a 51% improvement.

Something worth noting: There’s an important distinction between LED caps and low level light therapy caps. According to the American Hair Loss Association, LED light doesn’t penetrate the scalp as much as low level light therapy lasers, meaning it can’t stimulate the hair follicles as well. 

PRP injections

If hair loss medications haven’t worked for you, it’s worth considering platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections. Basically, this treatment entails using a sample of your own blood to create a more concentrated version that’s rich in growth factors — then, that version is injected into your scalp to give your hair follicles a boost.

According to Austin, PRP is one of the best non-invasive treatments for hair loss. It’s a particularly good fit for those with male or female pattern baldness, says Salkey. However, Sara Hallajian, certified trichologist and owner of âme vitality, says it’s also a solid potential option for people experiencing hair loss due to hormonal imbalances.

As with other hair loss treatments, don’t expect instant results, though.

“It often takes 4-6 initial sessions within a year to re-establish hair density, and maintenance treatments can vary depending on the cause of hair thinning,” Austin adds.

Supplements

A 2022 systematic review acknowledged that popular supplements like Nutrafol and Viviscal may benefit some people with hair loss. Still, researchers noted that overall, larger and more high-quality studies are needed before we can say for sure whether they work as well as proven medications like minoxidil and finasteride. 

“The research behind supplements for hair loss is limited, with many studies conducted by the product manufacturers,” explains Salkey. “Supplements also aren’t regulated by the FDA and don’t have to demonstrate efficacy in order to be marketed. In general, these may be effective for some patients, but not for others.”

As far as supplements go, Austin says Nutrafol is worth considering because its proprietary complex contains nutrients that can target multiple causes of hair shedding, thinning, and loss. One small trial found that women who took Nutrafol for six months experienced a greater increase in hair count than those who took a placebo.

According to the 2022 review, other supplements that might work include:

• Pantogar
• Capsaicin
• Omegas 3 and 6 with antioxidants
• Zinc
• Pumpkin seed oil

But keep in mind that nutritional supplements are often only helpful if there’s a deficiency at play, says Hallajian.

“That’s why I like to assess a client's blood work before starting any supplement regimen,” she explains.

Topical scalp serums

There is some evidence that topical serums — especially exosome-based and peptide-based formulas — may help with hair loss, but mainly by improving scalp health. On the plus side, they typically have very minimal and mild side effects compared to prescription medications. Still, there aren’t a lot of large, high-quality studies on the benefits of these products — and researchers say we probably need more safety data.

In one small 2025 trial, people who used the (Plated) Skin Science Hair Serum for six months saw a significant improvement in hair density and fullness. This serum uses a concentrated extract from platelets that features growth factors and bioactive proteins — not unlike what’s used in PRP therapy — to stimulate hair growth at the follicle level. 

“These growth factors support the formation of new blood vessels, increase cell turnover, and encourage follicles to re-enter the growth phase,” explains Dr. Amy Lewis, MD, a board-certified cosmetic and medical dermatologist. “In addition, the serum has anti-inflammatory properties that help calm scalp irritation and reduce microinflammation, which is often present in patients experiencing telogen effluvium — or excessive hair shedding.”

Lewis says (Plated) Skin Science Hair Serum is a great fit for patients who are hesitant to start oral medications for hair loss or can’t tolerate the side effects. That said, Salkey notes that you can’t expect the same results as you might get with prescription medications. 

Overall, researchers say these serums work best as an add-on treatment to other more proven options. For example, Lewis and Austin sometimes recommend using the (Plated) Skin Science Hair Serum in combination with minoxidil, PRP, or microneedling.

The bottom line: Do hair loss treatments actually work?

There are a number of hair loss treatments that have been proven to work — but whether or not they work for you depends on what’s causing your hair loss. 

That’s why experts strongly advise consulting a board-certified dermatologist, who can help you figure out the culprit in your case — whether that’s stress, a hormonal shift, a scalp infection, a nutrient deficiency, or something else. Then, they can come up with a personalized plan to address that specific cause. That treatment plan may involve a combination of multiple treatments, such as minoxidil and finasteride, minoxidil and low-level laser therapy, or finasteride and PRP.

Frequently asked questions 

How to fix hair loss?

The best way to fix hair loss is to first determine the cause, and that is best done by talking to your doctor or setting up virtual consultation with a telehealth provider. From there, your doctor will decide why type of hair treatment is best, whether that be topical treatments, pills, supplements or a combination of it all.

Can you grow your hair back after thinning? 

You’ll likely be relieved to know that hair thinning usually isn’t permanent, but it depends on the cause of your hair thinning. If your hair is thinning due to hormones, then regrowth is very possible. But if your hair thinning stems from scarring alopecia, the hair usually won’t grow back because of damage to the follicles.

“Fortunately, non-scarring alopecia is the more common type,” says Salkey. “And the most common causes for non-scarring hair loss (female or male pattern hair loss and telogen effluvium) tend to respond well to treatment when success is defined as halting any progression of hair loss and/or regrowing hair.”

Can B12 stop hair loss? 

We know that a vitamin B12 deficiency is a risk factor for hair loss. That said, there’s no scientific evidence that taking a vitamin B12 supplement, or even eating more foods with vitamin B12, can stop hair loss from happening.

What shampoo is best for thinning hair? 

Experts agree the best shampoos for thinning hair are:

• Free of harsh, drying and potentially irritating ingredients like sulfates and isopropyl alcohol
• Contain moisturizing ingredients like glycerin, honey, aloe vera, jojoba oil and argan oil

A go-to for celebrity hairstylist Sami Knight is the Epres Healthy Hair Shampoo.

“This is what I use on clients with thinning hair due to tight ponytails, use of hot tools, chemical processing, extensions and hormonal imbalances,” says Knight. “It cleanses the hair without leaving any residue behind, meaning your scalp is clean and primed for your topical treatments to be better absorbed. It also uses the brand’s patented repairing technology to repair broken and damaged disulfide bonds in the hair that contribute to shedding.”

What is better for thinning hair: biotin or collagen? 

Neither one is a magic pill for hair thinning, but biotin may be helpful if you have a deficiency, says King.

Biotin is a B complex vitamin that helps your body break down amino acids and carbohydrates to use for energy. It also plays a role in building the keratin (protein) that makes up your hair. While there’s a lot of hype around biotin supplements for hair growth there just isn’t enough science to back it up.

Collagen is the key building block for skin (including the scalp), but it’s also indirectly involved in supporting hair health. That’s because it supplies some of the amino acids necessary for creating keratin. A 2024 lab study on human hair follicles found that collagen peptides — specifically marine and bovine collagen — helped hair follicles to stay in the active growth stage for longer, which translates to less shedding. And a 2022 animal study showed that fish-derived collagen may promote hair growth. Still, experts agree we don’t have enough large, high-quality studies in humans to prove that collagen supplements have a direct benefit for the hair.

Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider concerning questions you have before starting, stopping or modifying any treatment or medication.