It can be difficult to find truly effective hair growth products for men among the wide variety of brands that promise miraculous results. However, you will be happy to know that there are some commercially available options out there with scientifically proven benefits in stimulating hair growth or preventing excessive hair loss.
Hair treatments which contain Minoxidil or Finasteride or devices that use red light therapy for hair growth can effectively increase hair thickness and/or density in men with certain types of alopecia. Even some essential oils for hair growth have been demonstrated to increase hair count and curb hair shedding from conditions such as male pattern baldness or telogen effluvium.
However, if you are experiencing persistent or advanced hair thinning it is best to see a trichologist. While commercially available hair growth products may be effective for improving the symptoms of certain conditions, they may not work as well for others. And untreated hair loss can sometimes progress to the point where only a hair transplant can help you achieve significant hair regrowth.
Keep reading to discover all you need to know about:
This question does not have a simple answer, because it largely depends on the kind of hair growth products you are using, the condition you are using them for and your personal characteristics. While certain products use evidence-based ingredients or technologies for stimulating hair growth, they cannot treat every kind of hair loss. Moreover, not every man reacts the same to any treatment.
There is also an abundance of likely ineffective hair products out there, which promise spectacular results from ingredients with no proven hair growth properties (e.g. shampoos that contain biotin for hair loss or rice water for hair growth).
Here are some things you can do to increase your chances of selecting a hair growth product that works for your specific needs:
With several hair transplant clinic locations across the UK, we know what works (and what doesn’t) when it comes to male hair growth. And we also know it can be tempting to pay for products that make bold promises when it comes to hair regrowth, even if there’s limited evidence for their effectiveness.
That’s why all the products below contain ingredients that are scientifically proven to slow hair loss and promote regrowth in men. We don’t receive payment for promoting any particular products, so you can rest assured all our recommendations are based solely on the supporting science.
Here are some of the best, evidence-based hair growth products for men that can really improve your hair density, diameter and/or curb hair loss. Check out the comparison table to see your options at a glance, then see a more detailed analysis below.:
Finasteride and Minoxidil are the two most prescribed and effective hair loss treatments for men. They’re also the only licensed products for male hair loss in the UK. They are commonly used for treating male pattern baldness, a condition that affects 85% of men by the age of 50 [1].
Male pattern baldness develops when an excessive amount of testosterone is converted into dihydrotestosterone (DHT). DHT binds to androgen receptors in your hair follicles, making them smaller and limiting their capacity to produce hair. Finasteride works by preventing too much testosterone from being converted into DHT, curbing your hair loss. Minoxidil opens up the small blood vessels in your scalp, allowing more oxygen and nutrients to reach your hair follicles, giving them the resources they need to grow thicker, healthier strands.
While many studies have shown these medications to be effective separately [2][3], research shows that Minoxidil combined with Finasteride can achieve significantly better results in treating androgenetic alopecia [4][5]. So this combination product is our top hair growth product for men.
While Minoxidil is available over the counter, Finasteride requires a medical prescription. However, if you don’t have one, Hims offers free consultations with licensed physicians who can prescribe this medication to you if you are a good candidate.
Pros:
Cons:
Price: Approximately £30/month for a 3-month subscription
Most effective in improving: Male pattern baldness
What our surgeons think: “Combining oral Finasteride with topical Minoxidil is the single most effective way to improve hair growth without surgery. While we normally advise getting a doctor to assess your hair loss in-person before prescribing medication, online consultations are an excellent substitute if this isn’t possible.”
This male hair growth product from Keeps also harnesses the combined hair regrowth properties of Minoxidil and Finasteride. However, unlike the Hims combo kit, which contains topical Minoxidil and oral Finasteride, here, the two medications are both in topical form (Minoxidil 5% and 0.25% Finasteride), blended into a gel.
While some studies performed on topical vs oral Finasteride show that the topical version may be safer and more effective than the oral variety [6], it has not yet been licensed by the MHRA. This means that further research is needed before it’s approved for widespread use.
However, if you have doubts about the safety or efficacy of this product, Keeps also offers a free initial consultation with a licensed physician, who can help you determine whether this medication is suitable for your hair growth needs.
Price: Approximately £31.5/month for a 3-month subscription
What our surgeons think: “If you’re worried about the potential side effects of Finasteride tablets, a topical gel is a good alternative.”
Minoxidil has proven itself effective in stimulating hair growth in several conditions, including androgenetic alopecia, telogen effluvium, alopecia areata, traction alopecia, and even medication-induced hair loss. And this DAVV kit also offers a derma roller along the topical 5% Minoxidil serum.
Derma rolling for hair growth involves using this small tool covered in fine needles to create microscopic punctures in your scalp. This prompts your body to start healing the scalp area, which has a beneficial impact on your hair follicles. Also known as microneedling, this therapy has demonstrated effectiveness in male pattern baldness, alopecia areata and telogen effluvium [7].
Moreover, studies have shown that using Minoxidil and a derma roller together enhances their effectiveness. That is because microneedling improves the absorption of Minoxidil, while this medication helps nourish the hair follicles [18].
Price: Approximately £24/ kit
Most effective in improving: Male pattern baldness, but they can also help stimulate hair growth in telogen effluvium, alopecia areata, traction alopecia and medication-induced hair loss.
What our surgeons think: “We often recommend derma rolling to patients who aren’t yet ready for hair transplant surgery but want to improve the impact of Minoxidil. This kit contains both, so it’s a great starter pack for men with limited hair loss.”
If you have started to notice a receding hairline, thinning around the crown or frontal balding, you may be experiencing male pattern baldness. Research shows that Finasteride regrows hair effectively and reduces hair loss in patients with this condition.
There are many different brands which sell hair treatments that contain Finasteride 1mg, the best -known of which is Propecia. However, the advantage of purchasing this medication from Hims is that you also benefit from free online consultations with a licensed physician throughout your treatment.
Your consultant will verify whether Finasteride is suitable for your hair growth needs and prescribe it to you if you don’t already have a valid prescription. But you can also get follow-up consultations, where the specialist can track your progress.
Price: Approximately £23/month with a 3-month subscription
What our surgeons think: “Research shows Finasteride to be the most effective medicine for male pattern baldness. We recommend it for most male patients with receding hairlines or developing bald patches, as it doesn’t just slow hair loss — it can also help your hair grow back.”
Rogaine (Regaine in the UK) is the brand name for Minoxidil. Their 5% Minoxidil solution for men has been used with excellent results for over 35 years.
Topical Minoxidil is effective in increasing hair density and diameter for many types of alopecia. While it is true that there may not be significant differences between brand and generic Minoxidil [8], the advantage of choosing Rogaine for men stems from its satisfaction guarantee, which means you can get your money back if you don’t experience satisfying hair growth after 120 days of daily use.
Price: Approximately £13/month with a 3-month subscription
Most effective in improving: Male pattern baldness, but it can also help stimulate hair growth in telogen effluvium, alopecia areata, traction alopecia and medication-induced hair loss.
What our surgeons think: “Minoxidil is extremely versatile and effective for slowing most types of hair loss. The 5% concentration may be too strong for some, so consider Rogaine 2% if you experience any skin irritation.”
Rosemary oil is known to have very good results in increasing hair density and thickness in men with androgenetic alopecia. In fact, it has been proven to be as effective as 2% Minoxidil [9]. That is likely because it contains compounds that are natural DHT blockers, which prevents your hair follicles from ceasing hair production. It has also been found to have antioxidant properties and to improve blood flow to your hair roots.
This product also contains many other effective hair growth oils. Peppermint oil for hair contains menthol, which can soothe an itchy or irritated scalp, reducing hair breakage from scratching [17]. Jojoba oil, grape seed oil, and tea tree oil can also improve strand softness, shine and elasticity.
Price: Approximately £8/2oz
Most effective in improving: Male pattern baldness, but it can also help relieve the symptoms of alopecia areata.
What our surgeons think: “There’s less evidence for using rosemary oil for hair loss compared with Minoxidil and Finasteride. That said, it’s a good option for men who don’t want to use chemicals on their skin, especially in the very early stages of balding.”
This laser hair growth cap is a portable device that performs red light therapy for hair growth. It uses an arrangement of LEDs and lasers to produce red light of a specific wavelength intensity, which penetrates your scalp, enhancing cell metabolism and helping increase the amount of energy that reaches your hair follicles.
Many studies have found low-level laser therapy, effective in stimulating hair growth and improving hair loss in conditions such as male pattern baldness, telogen effluvium and alopecia areata [10].
While the iRestore Essential is not necessarily the most effective in its line, it provides the best value for money. It is also likely to have good results, as its functions at a 655 nm wavelength, which is close to the optimal value for this therapy (660 nm).
Another advantage of using this helmet is that it comes with a 12-month money-back guarantee, so if you’re not satisfied with your results, you can send it back and try a different model.
Price: Approximately £550
Most effective in improving: Male pattern baldness and telogen effluvium, but it can also help stimulate hair growth in alopecia areata, traction alopecia and medication-induced hair loss.
What our surgeons think: “Laser treatment for hair can be very effective, but it’s quite expensive to buy a device outright. Weigh up the costs, pros, and cons before making this substantial investment. And speak to a trichologist for advice if you can.”
This compact, portable device blends the follicle-stimulating properties of scalp massage for hair growth [11] with red light therapy. It has 8 massage claws of varying softness — you can use 4 at a time in a configuration that’s most comfortable for you.
While scalp massage alone has been shown to promote hair growth, combining it with red light therapy gives you an extra boost. The impact of LEDs in this device is probably fairly minimal, but men with limited hair loss may see some benefits.
Moreover, since it is waterproof, you can use it in the bath or shower, to save time and give you a more profoundly relaxing experience.
Price: Approximately £27
What our surgeons think: “We know scalp massage improves blood flow to the follicles, so a scalp massager is a good investment if your hair loss is still in its early stages. This device may have limited benefits in terms of laser therapy, but if used daily you might see some hair growth improvements.”
Nizoral Psoriasis is one of the best 2-in-1 shampoos -and -conditioners for hair growth. That is because it contains two ingredients demonstrated to improve hair density and thickness: ketoconazole [12] and salicylic acid [13].
Moreover, since its ingredients have antifungal and anti-inflammatory properties, Nizoral shampoo can treat hair loss caused by yeast infections of the scalp, such as seborrheic dermatitis. And since it is specifically designed to treat scalp psoriasis, the added tea tree oil can soothe your scalp, while vitamin E for hair provides antioxidants and nourishes your hair.
Price: Approximately £14/ 11 oz
Most effective in improving: Male pattern baldness, scalp psoriasis, seborrheic dermatitis, dandruff.
What our surgeons think: “We often recommend Nizoral products to patients with scalp problems like psoriasis. This shampoo/conditioner combination is ideal for those who want a simple product that treats their scalp condition and has potential growth benefits.”
Studies show that black seed oil for hair can effectively curb hair loss caused by telogen effluvium [14], which means it can also help with hair shedding induced by medications or rapid weight loss. Moreover, it can regulate your hair growth cycle, keeping your follicles in the growth phase for longer. Its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties can also improve your scalp and hair health.
The high concentration of black seed oil in this Triquetra TQ-Advanced supplement may increase its efficiency for hair growth. It can also be taken orally, for other health benefits, such as high blood pressure, headaches, pain or inflammation [15].
Price: Approximately £20/ 2 oz
Most effective in improving: Telogen effluvium
What our surgeons think: “Black seed oil is one of the most effective essential oils you can use on your scalp and hair. Again, you may not see the same results as you would with Minoxidil or Finasteride, but it’s a good option for men seeking a more natural hair growth treatment.”
Disclaimer: The products mentioned on this page are for reference purposes only and have been selected based on online reviews and user-reported results. Wimpole Clinic does not endorse or guarantee the effectiveness of the products sold by these products.
A certain amount of hair loss is normal in the shower or while you are combing your hair. Most healthy men shed between 50-100 hairs per day.
However, if you find yourself frequently losing more than that, you may start to wonder whether your hair is thinning or you are being paranoid. If there are areas of your head where your hair is so thin you can see your scalp, here are some of the most common reasons it may be falling out [16]:
Androgenetic alopecia
Cause: age, genetics, hormones
It is a progressive condition that requires treatment to manage.
Telogen Effluvium
Cause: physical or psychological stress/trauma
It is a temporary condition that normally resolves itself in a few months once its cause has been removed.
Alopecia areata
Cause: most likely autoimmune
This condition can never be fully cured, but often goes into remission after 6-12 months, to flare again at a different time.
Traction alopecia
Cause: wearing tight hairstyles, such as cornrows or man buns can cause hair loss
This condition is temporary and often resolves after you stop wearing tight hairstyles.
If your hair loss is advanced, or caused by a progressive type of alopecia, male hair growth products may not be enough to improve hair density or even curb shedding. In this case, it is important to book a consultation with a trichologist as soon as possible. They will diagnose your condition and prescribe treatments to target your specific problem. For example, steroid creams or steroid injections for hair loss may be prescribed for those with alopecia areata.
Even if non-surgical hair loss treatments don’t work, you still have a chance at regrowing strong, beautiful hair: you may be eligible for a hair transplant.
Regardless of whether you opt for a FUE or FUT hair restoration surgery, the procedure is fast, effectives, and the best hair transplant clinics in the UK have success rates that approach 100%. Our experienced surgeons will be happy to walk you through every step of the procedure and answer any questions you may have.
Unlike other treatments that are only effective while you are taking them, a hair transplant is permanent. If you’re wondering what this kind of innovative procedure can do for you, see our results for yourself in our before and after hair transplant gallery, then book a consultation with our team to learn more.
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