It is applied to the scalp twice a day to help stimulate hair growth and prevent hair loss. We have been independently researching and testing products for more than 120 years. If you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more about our review process.
These specific serums, supplements, and prescription medications can help stop hair loss and increase its thickness. Below, you'll find the best hair growth products for men, according to dermatologists who specialize in hair loss. We also answer your main questions, such as what causes hair loss in men and what you should consider before buying a product. This popular item from the Amazon cart “is an affordable, minoxidil-free hair serum that contains niacin, biotin, argan oil, antioxidants and other natural ingredients that aim to detoxify and nourish the scalp to promote healthy hair growth,” says Dr.
What is DHT and why would you want to block it? Some of the testosterone is converted to DHT, an androgen responsible for male sexual characteristics. Unfortunately, high levels of DHT also miniaturize (or shrink) follicles, so they basically pull back and lose their ability to produce strands. Block DHT and you'll block that process, although until now, the evidence that topical DHT blockers slow hair loss is promising but preliminary, and research was done on the drug finasteride, which this serum doesn't contain. Still, if you want to try it without spending a ton of money, people like this product, Green says.
Still, some hair loss specialists are formulating products with slightly higher concentrations and combining minoxidil with other ingredients known to help give follicles a double boost. It contains 6% minoxidil and. Finasteride, which is often taken in pill form, is a DHT blocker. Our friends at Men's Health put it at the top of their list and recommend using it on clean hair after a shower, as it can be a bit greasy.
If minoxidil isn't right for you (some people have scalp irritations), this oral supplement system plus a plant-based serum is intended to attack both the root causes of thinning hair and to restore scalp health. Green says its ingredients, which include ashwagandha exomes, Irish moss peptides and pea shoot extract, support hair thickness, help reduce breakage and nourish the scalp. As for supplements, there isn't much research on men, but a small open study (meaning participants knew what they were taking) of men and women from different racial and ethnic backgrounds showed significant improvement in all measures (thickness, less hair loss, etc.). Some of the ingredients in the supplement help reduce DHT, the androgen that shrinks follicles (saw palmetto); balance stress hormones (ashwagandha); and help reduce inflammation (curcumin).
It contains curcumin and red clover stem cell extract, which are thought to be DHT inhibitors, and it doesn't contain minoxidil or finasteride or other ingredients that some might want to avoid. On its website, the company states that users see up to 76% less moving and up to 52% more density, although the company, through a representative, refused to make any study available to Good Housekeeping. In any case, the before and after photos are impressive, so if you want to see what all the fuss is about, give it a try, but remember that it takes a few months to get the best results with any hair growth treatment. Finasteride (also sold under the brand name Propecia) is a prescription medication.
It's a daily oral tablet for men only, which works by blocking DHT, an androgen responsible for shrinking hair follicles so they can no longer produce thick locks (or eventually). Ketoconazole is an ingredient that not only treats dandruff, but also has anti-inflammatory and antifungal properties, says Dr. If your dermatologist says that hair loss is due in part to an inflammation of the scalp due to a fungal infection, ketoconazole can help get rid of it (they may even prescribe a shampoo or a topical treatment with a higher concentration of ketoconazole). The body absorbs light and converts it into cellular energy to stimulate the natural healing process, which could promote hair growth.
Red light also stimulates blood circulation for healthy scalp and follicles, says Dr. We like this helmet (more than a comb or brush) because you can put it on and watch TV while doing your thing, plus there's a 6-month money-back guarantee if you don't notice any improvement in that time. It can also be used in conjunction with minoxidil or other hair growth methods. We interviewed respected dermatologists who specialize in hair loss to understand the various reasons why men lose their hair.
We then asked them to recommend products they had seen in their clinical practices to show the results. Some of these products are approved by the FDA to treat hair loss and have decades of peer-reviewed research, which we have examined and linked; others only have research funded by the company, which Good Housekeeping does not consider reliable on its own, but they have a lot of anecdotal evidence of effectiveness, as well as being good options according to our medical sources. We also indicated where there was limited or preliminary independent evidence to support the product claims. It's not as simple as you might think, so as soon as you start to see that your hair is thinning (and assuming it bothers you), you should go to a dermatologist to find out why it happens, it's not always “just what happens to men”, although male pattern baldness (or androgenic alopecia) is by far the most common form of hair loss in men, says Shoshanna Marmon, M, D.
But heredity is not the only reason a man can lose his hair. Your doctor will talk to you about your history, perform an exam (often to check for scalp conditions that could be preventing growth), and maybe do some lab tests to check blood levels of nutrients important for hair growth, such as iron, as well as hormone levels. There are also medical conditions and medications that can contribute to hair loss, so your doctor will also talk to you about them. Likewise, if hair loss is due to a deficiency of certain vitamins or minerals, correcting that deficiency can stop the loss.
A blood test can reveal if that's your problem. Likewise, changing or stopping any medication that contributes to hair loss can correct it. Our honest review of the Shark's FlexStyle Good Housekeeping hair dryer participates in several affiliate marketing programs, which means that we may receive commissions on products chosen by the publisher purchased through our links to retail sites. SkinCare Physicians is a trusted resource for safe, effective, and non-surgical hair restoration options, including platelet-rich plasma (PRP) treatment, oral medications, vitamins, and topical solutions.
It's difficult to give a clear answer, not only because nothing works for everyone who suffers from hair loss, but also because the research behind many of these products simply doesn't live up to the standards required for scientists to answer that question definitively, says Birnur Aral, Ph. .
