Which hair loss treatments really work and what may be a waste of time and money

Hair loss is a common experience, affecting millions of people at some stage of life.By age 65, about 53% of men and 40% of women will experience hair loss — a very personal journey that can have real consequences for mental health and self-esteem.But hair today may not be gone tomorrow.Many forms of hair loss can be treated, though wading through the sea of options available in this growing landscape can be overwhelming, especially with social media hacks and influencer recommendations adding to the overload.Ultimately, there is no one-size-fits-all solution, as many different triggers can make your hair thin or fall out.That’s why being seen by a board-certified dermatologist for a formal diagnosis is a non-negotiable when addressing any hair loss concern.Read on to learn which hair loss treatments actually work, which popular remedies may not be worth the hype and the biggest mistake people make on their hair growth journeys.Androgenetic alopecia — also known as male- or female-pattern baldness — is the most common cause of hair loss worldwide, but there are only a few FDA-approved therapies for it.For men, two FDA-approved treatments are available: topical minoxidil and oral finasteride, the latter commonly sold under the brand name Propecia.

For women, only topical minoxidil is FDA-approved for hair loss.FDA-approved treatments have undergone rigorous testing for specific uses.However, several treatments that aren’t FDA-approved specifically for hair loss are widely used off-label and have evidence supporting their effectiveness.These include:Some natural therapies have varying levels of evidence behind them, although they generally aren’t as well supported or effective as prescription treatments prescribed by a board-certified dermatologist.Three botanical ingredients are considered natural 5-ARIs: saw palmetto, pumpkin seed oil and rosemary oil.A small study on topical rosemary oil found it performed similarly to 2% minoxidil when applied daily....