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 (e.g. rosemary oil for hair growth or black seed oil for hair) 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 with biotin for hair loss or shampoos with 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:
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:
Finasteride and Minoxidil are the two most prescribed and effective hair loss treatments for men. They are commonly used for treating male pattern baldness, a condition that affects 85% of men by the age of 50 [1] This condition develops when an excessive amount of testosterone is converted into a different male hormone named 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. And 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].
While Minoxidil is available over the counter, Finasteride requires a medical prescription. However, you don’t need to worry 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.
Price: Approximately £30/month with a 3-month subscription.
Pros: It is one of the most effective hair growth treatment combinations available.
Cons: Finasteride requires a prescription and only works for androgenetic alopecia.
Most effective in improving: Male pattern baldness
This product from Keeps also harnesses the combined hair regrowth properties of Minoxidil and Finasteride. However, unlike the Hims combo kit which contained 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 Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHPRA). This means that further research is needed before it can be 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 with a 3-month subscription
Pros: Both medications are combined in a single, easy-to-apply gel
Cons: Topical Finasteride is not yet licensed for use by the MHPRA.
Minoxidil has proven itself effective in stimulating hair growth in several conditions, from androgenetic alopecia to telogen effluvium, alopecia areata, or traction alopecia and even medication-induced hair loss. And this DAVV kit also offers a derma roller along the topical 5% Minoxidil serum.
Dermarolling 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
Pros: The included derma roller can increase the absorption of topical Minoxidil
Cons: Some users reported that the spray dispenses too much serum.
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.
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. They will be available initially, to verify whether Finasteride is truly recommended 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
Pros: Very effective in treating male pattern baldness, Hims offers free online initial and follow-up consultations throughout your treatment
Cons: While Finasteride is safe for most users, it can have unwanted adverse effects. For example, in rare situations, Finasteride can cause erectile dysfunction and other sexual side effects in some men.
Rogaine (Regain 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
Pros: Rogaine has a satisfaction guarantee.
Cons: In some people, it can lead to Minoxidil sexual side effects or temporary Minoxidil hair shedding
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.
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 Minoxidil [9]. That is likely because it contains compounds that are natural DHT blockers, which prevents your hair follicles from ceasing hair production on account of this male hormone. It has also been found to have antioxidant properties and to improve blood flow to your hair roots.
Peppermint oil for hair has similar properties, although so far, it has only proven its hair growth efficiency in animal testing. Moreover, it contains menthol, which can soothe an itchy or irritated scalp, reducing hair breakage from scratching [17].
And these two ingredients are only the stars of the Mielle Scalp & Hair Strengthening Oil. It also contains other hair growth oils that can improve your strand softness, shine and elasticity, such as jojoba oil, grape seed oil, or tea tree oil.
Price: Approximately £8/2oz
Pros: As effective as Minoxidil in improving hair loss caused by androgenetic alopecia
Cons: May be inconvenient to use unless you leave it in your hair overnight
Most effective in improving: Male pattern baldness, but it can also help relieve the symptoms of alopecia areata.
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 certain intensity, which can penetrate your scalp, enhancing your cell metabolism and helping increase the amount of energy that reaches your hair follicles. A robust body of literature found this kind of treatment, also known as low-level laser therapy, effective in stimulating hair growth and improving hair loss in conditions such as male pattern baldness, telogen effluvium or 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 getting this helmet is that it comes with a 12-month money-back guarantee, so if you feel that it doesn’t have the desired effect on your hair, you can always send it back and try a different, more powerful model.
Price: Approximately £550
Pros: It can be safely used alongside other hair growth products and has a satisfaction guarantee.
Cons: The price can be steep compared to other hair growth products. Moreover, it is not recommended for treating advanced hair loss.
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.
This compact, portable device blends the follicle-stimulating properties of scalp massage for hair growth [11] with red light therapy. It has 8 claws of different softness, that you can use 4 at a time, in any configuration you please. And the red light is active while you are getting a relaxing scalp massage. 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
Pros: It blends red light therapy with scalp massage, for an enhanced effect
Cons: Some users reported that the claws can tangle their hair
Nizoral Psoriasis is one of the best shampoo-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
Pros: Can treat scalp conditions as well as stimulate hair growth
Cons: Some users complain it can dry out their scalp
Most effective in improving: Male pattern baldness, scalp psoriasis, seborrheic dermatitis, dandruff.
Studies show that black seed oil 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 strands in the growth phase for longer. And its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties can improve your scalp and hair health.
The high concentration of black seed oil contained in this Triquetra TQ-Advanced supplement may increase its efficiency for hair growth and 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
Pros: This product can be used for other health benefits alongside hair growth.
Cons: Black seed oil may cause allergic rashes in some people.
Most effective in improving: Telogen effluvium
A certain amount of hair loss is normal in the shower or while you are combing your hair. Most healthy men can 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 progressing type of alopecia, hair growth products may not be enough to improve your strand density or even to curb hair shedding. If that is your case, it is important to book a consultation with a trichologist as soon as possible. They will diagnose your condition and prescribe more potent treatments, which target your specific problem. These may include steroid creams or even steroid injections for hair loss.
Sometimes, non-surgical treatments can prove themselves ineffective in improving your hair shedding. However, even if that is your case, 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 and painless 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.
For example, you may be surprised to learn that you can still enjoy the results of your hair transplant after 10 years or more. That is because, unlike other treatments that are only effective while you are taking them, a hair transplant is permanent. If you wonder what this kind of innovative procedure can do for you, see our results for yourself in our before and after hair transplant gallery.
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