Hair Supplements for Men – Do They Work?
Key takeaways:
Male-pattern hair loss is very common, and it can cause stress and anxiety for those who experience it.
There’s not much science showing that supplements are effective for hair loss in men. Some that may help include saw palmetto and ashwagandha, along with combination products like Viviscal.
Proven treatments, like minoxidil and finasteride, can help prevent male hair loss and even promote regrowth.
Hair loss in men is common, and it can be quite stressful for those who experience it. Male-pattern hair loss (also called androgenic alopecia) is the most common type of hair loss. More than half of men will experience it by age 50.
There are many proven treatments that work for hair loss, including minoxidil (Rogaine) and finasteride (Propecia). There are also a lot of products that claim to work — like supplements.
But are supplements effective? And if so, what’s the best hair supplement for men? Read on to learn what the science says.
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Can supplements help treat hair loss in men?
The short answer is maybe. So far, there isn’t much evidence to prove that they’re effective. Not only that, but some of the research has focused on women or other types of hair loss. So this data isn’t helpful for male-pattern hair loss.
When it comes to supplements, here are some things to keep in mind:
Vitamin or mineral deficiency: Hair loss caused by a vitamin or mineral deficiency (like vitamin B, iron, or zinc) will often improve after taking supplements to correct the deficiency. But, without an actual deficiency, there isn’t much science backing up the claim that supplements can help.
Risks: Supplements come with risks, such as possible side effects and medication interactions. So it’s best not to take them unless you need them. And be sure to speak with a healthcare professional first.
Combo products: Several products and supplements that claim to promote hair growth are combinations of several different ingredients. This makes it difficult to tease out the effects of each ingredient.
It makes sense to look for natural ways to treat hair loss, especially with so many hair growth products on the market. But it also makes sense to question whether they’ll work, before spending your money on them.
Supplements for male-pattern hair loss
Supplements may help with hair growth through their anti-inflammatory activities or by blocking production of a hormone that contributes to hair loss.
Much of the research available so far suggests a combination of ingredients might be best. However, more studies are needed to determine how well these supplements work — and if they’re better than proven treatments. It may be that supplements are most effective when combined with available proven treatments.
There are many reasons for hair loss, including age and genetics. But some medications can also contribute, such as blood thinners and antidepressants.
How long do hair-loss medications take to work? It can take several months to see results, but it depends on the specific treatment.
What does a hair transplant feel like? Three men describe why they decided to get this procedure done and how their recovery went.
Here’s what the research says about some popular hair-loss supplements.
1. Saw palmetto
Saw palmetto is an extract from a type of palm tree that grows in the southeastern U.S. It can block an enzyme (5-alpha reductase) that converts testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT). This is an important contributor to hair loss, so it’s been evaluated in treating androgenic alopecia.
What the research shows
One small study in men and women showed that saw palmetto in either pill form or topical cream slowed hair loss and improved hair density after 4 months. Another small study showed that saw palmetto pills helped regrow hair in about 30% of men after 2 years. But it wasn’t as effective as finasteride.
Some other studies suggest that saw palmetto may be effective for hair loss. But many of these studies were not high quality. Another challenge is that many saw palmetto formulations contain other vitamins or chemicals. This makes it hard to know what’s causing the positive effects.
2. Ashwagandha
Ashwagandha is a shrub that grows in Africa and Asia. It has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that may help treat anxiety, stress, and insomnia. It can help lower the stress hormone cortisol. As a result, it has also been studied in hair loss, which can also be tied to stress.
What the research shows
One small study showed that an ashwagandha serum helped improve hair growth and density after 75 days in people with hair loss. However, the study seemed to include different types of hair loss. And it didn’t specify how much men with androgenic alopecia improved.
So far, there’s not much evidence that ashwagandha improves male-pattern hair loss.
3. Rosemary oil
Rosemary oil is an essential oil that comes from the leaves of the rosemary plant. It has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. And it may help improve depression, anxiety, and insomnia. It may also prevent the production of DHT (the hormone linked to hair loss).
What the research shows
One small study compared topical rosemary oil and minoxidil in men with androgenic alopecia. After 6 months, both treatments improved hair counts. The rosemary group experienced less scalp itching than the minoxidil group, which can be a side effect of minoxidil. But it’s important to note that rosemary oil can cause contact dermatitis (an allergic skin reaction) in some people. So it’s best to use it with caution.
4. Pumpkin seed oil
Pumpkin seed oil has many antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Studies in animals show that it may also lower DHT levels by blocking 5-alpha reductase.
What the research shows
There isn’t much research on pumpkin seed oil and hair loss. One small study evaluated pumpkin seed oil supplements in 76 men with mild-to-moderate androgenic alopecia. After 24 weeks, those taking the pumpkin seed oil had an average increased hair count of 40%. That’s compared with 8% of men taking a placebo.
5. Tea tree oil
Tea tree oil is an essential oil with antibacterial and antifungal properties. As such, you can find it in many personal care products, including those for hair loss. But there’s not much evidence to suggest it works.
What the research shows
One clinical study involved 30 men with androgenic alopecia. They received one of the following:
An emulsion that contained tea tree oil, minoxidil, and the anti-inflammatory medication diclofenac
Minoxidil only
A placebo emulsion (no active ingredients)
After 32 weeks, men using the combined emulsion showed more hair growth than using minoxidil alone or placebo. But the emulsion also contained diclofenac. So it’s hard to know how much of the effect was from tea tree oil.
6. Vitamin E
Vitamin E is a strong antioxidant. It also supports health of the immune system, skin, and eyes. People with androgenic alopecia may be more likely to have low levels of vitamin E (and other nutrients).
What the research shows
There’s very little research looking at vitamin E supplementation on its own for hair loss. One study of only 17 participants showed that taking a mixed vitamin E supplement improved hair growth after 8 months. But it’s not clear from the study how many of the participants were men with androgenic alopecia.
7. Curcumin / turmeric
Turmeric (Curcuma longa) has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, which lend to its possible health benefits. Lab research suggests it may also help reduce DHT levels.
What the research shows
Studies in the lab and in mice (not humans) suggest that curcumin may be a promising treatment for androgenetic alopecia. Human studies are lacking. So, as of now, there isn’t any solid evidence that curcumin can help with hair loss in men.
8. Combination products (Nutrafol, Viviscal)
Combination products like Nutrafol and Viviscal are becoming more popular for hair loss. They often contain a variety of different ingredients that may improve hair loss. For example, Nutrafol contains saw palmetto and ashwagandha, among others. And Viviscal includes iron, zinc, and biotin.
What the research shows
Early studies suggest that some of these products may improve hair loss. One small study showed that taking Nutrafol for 6 months improved hair growth and fullness in men with mild-to-moderate hair loss. Similarly, a small study showed that Viviscal helped with hair loss in men with thinning hair.
What’s the best way to treat hair loss in men?
Supplements may not be the best way to treat hair loss in men. But the good news is that there are many effective treatments that have been proven to work. Using a combination of these treatments may be most effective:
Minoxidil (Rogaine)
Finasteride (Propecia)
Dutasteride (Avodart)
If you’re concerned about hair loss, speak with a healthcare professional sooner than later. Early treatment is the best approach, and they can help you find the best treatment plan for you.
Frequently asked questions
For the most part, topical minoxidil doesn’t cause many side effects. Here are some common ones you may experience though:
Initial hair shedding, which is usually temporary.
Scalp irritation, like itching and redness. This may be temporary. And it can be improved by decreasing the medication or switching from liquid to the foam.
Unwanted hair growth can happen in locations near where you’re applying the minoxidil. It’s usually reversible.
Finasteride (Propecia) and dutasteride (Avodart) are two prescription pills that treat hair loss by blocking 5-alpha reductase and lowering the amount of DHT (dihydrotestosterone).
Finasteride is FDA approved for hair loss. Dutasteride is usually used to treat an enlarged prostate, but it can be used off-label for hair loss. Some studies suggest that dutasteride is more effective than finasteride in treating hair loss. But the two medications haven’t been widely compared for hair loss.
There are many effective over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription medications that can treat male-pattern hair loss. These treatments can minimize further hair loss and even regrow hair in some people. Many of these treatments work best when started early. So it’s best to start treatment as soon as you notice thinning hair.
The bottom line
Many people turn to supplements to help with hair loss. But, so far, there isn’t a lot of science showing that they work. Some supplements that combine several ingredients (like saw palmetto and ashwagandha) may help. However, more research needs to be done to see how effective they are. For male-pattern hair loss, treatments like minoxidil and finasteride have been proven to work. They can prevent further hair loss and promote regrowth. They work best when used early though, so reach out to a healthcare professional sooner rather than later.
Why trust our experts?
References
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