Hair Growth Treatment: What Works and What to Try First

Half of men and many women notice thinning hair by midlife. That can feel sudden and personal, but there are practical steps that help most people. Start by finding the cause, then pick treatments that match your goal: slow loss, regrow thin areas, or improve hair health. Below you'll find clear, usable options and safety tips so you can act with confidence.

Main Treatment Types

Topicals — Minoxidil is the most common. It’s an OTC foam or liquid you apply daily. Many people see thicker hair in 3–6 months. It helps both men and women but needs ongoing use: stopping it usually reverses the benefit.

Oral prescription drugs — For men, finasteride blocks the hormone DHT and often slows loss or regrows hair. Women may be offered spironolactone or other hormonal treatments if hormones are a factor. These drugs can be effective but carry side effects, so discuss risks with your doctor.

Supplements and nutrition — Biotin gets a lot of attention, but only people with a deficiency benefit. Iron, vitamin D, and protein are common culprits in thinning hair. If you suspect a deficiency, get blood tests before buying high-dose supplements.

Procedures — Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections and hair transplants are options when topical and oral treatments don’t give the results you want. PRP can boost growth in early thinning. Hair transplants give permanent results but cost more and need a skilled surgeon.

Devices — Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) devices like combs or helmets can help some people. They’re low-risk but results vary and take months to appear.

How to Choose the Right Treatment

Match the treatment to the cause. If your hair loss follows childbirth, weight loss, or a new medication, it may be temporary and improve with time. If you have a family history of male- or female-pattern hair loss, start with proven options like minoxidil or prescription meds.

Think about speed, cost, and risk. OTC topicals are cheap and low-risk but require patience. Prescription meds may work faster but need medical follow-up. Procedures can be more dramatic but cost more and carry procedural risks.

Set realistic expectations: most treatments improve density and slow loss rather than restore a full head of hair. Track photos every month so you can see small gains.

When to see a doctor: sudden, patchy, or rapidly worsening hair loss needs prompt evaluation. Also see a clinician if you have scalp pain, redness, or signs of infection. A dermatologist can order tests, rule out treatable causes, and recommend the best plan for you.

Final practical tip: choose one evidence-backed approach and stick with it for at least 4–6 months before judging results. Combine safe options (for example, minoxidil plus a nutrient fix) rather than jumping between many unproven products. That gives you the best shot at real improvement without wasting money.