For most men, hair loss is a fact of life.
Data shows that 85 percent of men experience hair loss in their lifetime. Alarmingly, most men don’t even have to wait for old age to lose their hair. By age 35, 65 percent of men will have considerably thinner hair.
If you’ve looked in the mirror recently and seen your hairline receding or your hair noticeably thinning, don’t worry. It isn’t the end of the world. Many treatments can help you recover your precious locks and stop hair loss.
The question is: With so many options available, which ones are the most effective?
You’ve come to the right place for answers. This article will discuss the five best hair loss treatment options for men—medical and natural.
Medical Hair Loss Treatments
Minoxidil
Topical minoxidil solutions and foams are popular hair loss treatments in 2 percent and 5 percent strengths. In the US, men can buy these solutions and foams without a prescription, with Rogaine being one of the most popular brands.
Minoxidil products are effective for approximately 67 percent or 2 out of 3 men, especially if they’re younger than 40.
If you apply it correctly and follow the manufacturer’s suggestions, you may see hair regrowth in a few months.
Remembering minoxidil is a treatment—not a cure—for hair loss is also essential. You will likely lose your hair again if you stop applying minoxidil.
Potential side effects
Some users report itching or red rashes on the areas where they applied minoxidil. Others say they experienced acne, inflammation, or a burning sensation in their scalp, but these cases aren’t common.
Precautions
Minoxidil may be available without a prescription, but you should still consult a doctor before using it. Topical minoxidil products may contain ingredients you’re allergic to, and doctors can perform a patch test to determine this.
You should also consult a doctor before using minoxidil if you have any pre-existing medical conditions, including heart, liver, or kidney disease.
If you have pets, think carefully about using minoxidil because this medication is extremely toxic to cats and dogs, even in trace amounts.
Finasteride
Like minoxidil, finasteride is a medication for treating hair loss or male pattern baldness.
Oral finasteride tablets or capsules are the most common form of this medication, but topical finasteride is also available. However, unlike minoxidil, you can only get finasteride with a prescription, at least in the US and Canada.
One study found that oral finasteride was effective in approximately 59 percent of male subjects who experienced hair regrowth on their head during the study’s six-month period.
Potential side effects
The most common side effects of oral finasteride are chills, cold sweats, dizziness, lightheadedness, and decreased sex drive. Some men may also experience skin redness or irritation, facial swelling, and rapid weight gain, although these effects are less common.
Precautions
Consult your doctor to get a prescription for finasteride if you’re struggling with hair loss. Your doctor can administer tests to determine whether you should take finasteride and recommend the correct dosage.
Regular visits to your doctor are also important if you take finasteride, especially if you feel unpleasant side effects. Your doctor can check if the medication works as intended and if you should continue.
Hair Transplant Surgery
Image by fusehairdelhi1 on Pixabay
Hair transplant surgery is now a popular hair loss treatment worldwide, with over 650,000 people receiving the procedure annually.
Doctors use various techniques to perform hair transplants, but the basic principle is the same. Hair transplant specialists take skin with hair from the scalp or skin with hair from other areas of the body (ex., face, chest, arms, legs, etc.) and graft it into the area of the scalp with thinning hair.
Hair transplant surgery is a popular hair loss treatment because it’s highly effective. Data shows the success rate of hair transplants is between 90 and 95 percent.
However, don’t expect to see a full head of hair immediately after your surgery. Hair transplants take months to heal, and the normal regrowth of hair after transplants can take approximately six months to a year.
Potential side effects
Hair transplant surgical wounds can become infected, but this shouldn’t be a problem if you care for the scars properly after surgery. Since it’s a surgery, there’s also a risk of excessive bleeding. However, the most common complaints are itching and pain, typical for any surgery.
Precautions
Although relatively safe, hair transplants still carry some risks, like any surgical procedure.
Depending on your location, hair transplant surgery can also be expensive. In the US, hair transplants can cost tens of thousands of dollars. Many men consider going to Turkey for a hair transplant because it’s much more affordable, often costing around $2,000 to $4,000.
You will be spending a significant amount of money and taking considerable time to recover if you get a hair transplant surgery. Thus, you must consider the procedure carefully to determine whether the time and money investments would be worth it.
Natural Hair Loss Treatments
Essential Oils
Don’t fret if you don’t want to take drugs or pay for a costly surgery to combat hair loss.
You can try natural hair loss treatment options like essential oils.
Lavender, peppermint, and tea tree essential oils are popular natural remedies for hair loss.
Lavender can help ramp up hair regrowth due to its cell-regenerating properties. It also smells great, so that’s a plus.
Peppermint’s cooling sensation on the skin can increase blood circulation, essential for hair growth.
Meanwhile, tea tree’s potent antimicrobial properties can help eliminate fungi in your scalp and bacteria clogging your hair follicles, enhancing hair growth.
The best way to use these essential oils as a hair loss remedy is to mix them with a base or carrier oil like coconut, jojoba, or olive oil. Then, gently massage the oil mixture onto your scalp, let it sit for a few minutes, and wash it away with a mild shampoo. For best results, repeat the process several times weekly.
Potential side effects
Applying essential oils to the skin is generally safe and doesn’t carry significant risks. However, some oils, like tea tree oil, are strong and can cause a stinging or burning sensation.
For most essential oils, an allergic reaction is the only serious side effect you must worry about.
Precautions
Always perform a patch test before massaging essential oil into your scalp. Apply a tiny amount of your preferred oil to an easily visible area of your skin, like the top of your hand. Wait 24 hours to see if the area you applied the oil to has signs of an allergic reaction, such as rashes, itchiness, or redness.
Essential oils are also potent and concentrated, so don’t apply them directly to your skin or scalp. Always mix an essential oil with a base oil to dilute it and reduce its strength. The golden rule is one tablespoon of base oil for every drop of essential oil.
Biotin
Biotin is a B vitamin that’s also known as vitamin B7.
Your body uses biotin to convert the amino acids, carbs, and fat in the food into the protein that you need for strong hair and nails.
Evidence suggests that biotin can prevent hair loss by helping you grow stronger, thicker hair.
The ideal way to get biotin in your diet is to consume whole foods rich in this B vitamin, including:
- Legumes (peanuts, various types of beans, lentils, chickpeas, and more)
- Sweet potatoes
- Eggs (particularly the egg yolks)
- Mushrooms
- Beef or chicken liver (and other animal organ meats)
You can also buy biotin supplements over the counter, but it’s often unnecessary. Today, it’s rare for people with a healthy, balanced diet to be biotin-deficient.
Potential side effects
Side effects of excessive biotin consumption (usually from unnecessary supplementation) include skin rashes, gastrointestinal issues, and high cholesterol levels.
Precautions
Consult your doctor before taking biotin supplements because they can test if you’re deficient and recommend the correct dosage. Unless you’re extremely biotin deficient, your doctor may simply advise you to add more biotin-rich whole foods to your diet.
Treat Hair Loss Today
If you’re one of the millions of men dealing with hair loss worldwide, don’t lose hope yet. The good news is many hair loss treatment options are available, both medical and natural.
You can take medication like minoxidil and finasteride, or you can pay for a hair transplant surgery.
If you don’t want to commit to a costly procedure, the best natural hair loss prevention methods are scalp massages with essential oils and the consumption of biotin-rich food.
Every man is different, so a treatment that works for you may not work for others, and vice versa. Generally, the ideal treatment for you will depend on your degree of hair loss. Consulting your doctor before choosing any treatment option can help you make the best possible decision.
