The Truth About the Best Hair Loss Treatments for Men in 2025
Looking for the best hair regrowth for men? We’ve uncovered powerful solutions that target thinning hair and support natural growth. From innovative treatments to smart strategies, these options are designed to help men regain thicker, stronger hair. Curious which approach works best for you? Discover what could transform your hair today.
Prescription medicationsThe FDA has approved minoxidil and finasteride to treat male pattern baldness.
Finasteride is a pill you take every day, however it’s only available with a prescription from a doctor. Minoxidil is available as an OTC treatment, but the highest available concentration is 5%. If you need a stronger dose, you need a prescription.
Some people experiencing hair loss may benefit from combining finasteride and minoxidil, but these treatments are also only available by prescription.
Keep in mind: It may take up to 1 year to see results from these treatments. You’ll need to keep taking them to maintain the benefits.
Over-the-counter medicationsMinoxidil is a generic medication that does not require a prescription for concentrations under 5%. You apply it to your scalp twice daily to help encourage hair regrowth and prevent hair loss.
Rogaine is available OTC as a liquid or foam in Men’s and Women’s formulas.
Hair transplantsAccording to a 2021 literature reviewTrusted Source, two more popular hair transplant procedures are follicular unit transplantation and follicular unit excision (formerly referred to as follicular unit extraction).
Both procedures are considered surgery, so they can be expensive and may cause some level of discomfort. There are also certain risks, including infections and scarring.
You may need to do multiple hair transplant treatments to get your desired outcome.
Follicular unit transplantation (FUT)FUT is the more “classic” method. It may also be called strip harvesting by some medical professionals.
FUT involves removing some skin, typically from the back of your scalp, where there’s an abundance of hair. A surgeon then removes the hair follicles from that strip of skin and reinserts them into the part of your scalp where you’re experiencing hair loss.
Follicular unit excision (FUE)During FUE, a surgeon removes hair follicles directly from your scalp and transplants them into the bald parts of your scalp. Direct hair implantation is a modified version of this technique in which a specialized tool is used to complete the procedure.
Laser treatmentLaser treatment is thought to help reduce the inflammation in hair follicles, preventing regrowth in some types of hair loss, such as alopecia areata.
There are limited studies to support the effectiveness of laser treatments for hair loss. But both a 2021 review of studiesTrusted Source and a 2023 studyTrusted Source involving 53 people indicate that low level laser therapy (LLLT) is safe and effective when used to treat male pattern hair loss.
According to a 2019 reviewTrusted Source, more research on LLLT is still needed.
Lifestyle changesQuit smokingMost people, including those who smoke, are likely well aware of the negative effects of smoking on overall health. But many may not know that smoking could be associated with hair loss as well.
A 2020 studyTrusted Source involving 1,000 male participants, ages 20 to 35 years, found that the majority of those who smoked had some degree of hair loss, while less than half of the participants who did not smoke had hair loss. Researchers note that participants did not report any scalp concerns or mental health diagnoses when recruited for the research.
If you smoke, quitting may help decrease hair loss.
Try scalp massageMassages not only feel wonderful but also may help with hair loss. Massaging your scalp stimulates your hair follicles.
Research from 2019 found that scalp massages were associated with self-perceived improvements in hair density.
A 2020 study suggests that scalp massage helped women with cancer regrow hair loss that resulted from chemotherapy (chemo). Researchers reported that their hair regrowth was “significantly improved” compared with those who didn’t receive a scalp massage.
Eat a balanced dietA balanced diet may help keep your hair healthy. It’s important to include a variety of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, unsaturated fats, and lean proteins in your diet. Limiting your consumption of sweets is also helpful.
A 2018 research reviewTrusted Source suggests an association between certain vitamins and minerals found in food and healthy hair. Consider adding some of these health-promoting foods to your diet:
iron-rich foods, including lean beef, beans, green leafy vegetables, iron-fortified grains, and eggs
foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, such as salmon, mackerel, tuna, flaxseed, egg yolks, hemp seeds, and walnuts
high protein foods, such as eggs, lean meats, and seafood
Drinking plenty of water is also an important part of a balanced diet.
Try to reduce stressStress can have negative effects on your body, including your hair, and can lead to hair loss.
According to a 2021 literature reviewTrusted Source, two more popular hair transplant procedures are follicular unit transplantation and follicular unit excision (formerly referred to as follicular unit extraction).
Both procedures are considered surgery, so they can be expensive and may cause some level of discomfort. There are also certain risks, including infections and scarring.
You may need to do multiple hair transplant treatments to get your desired outcome.
Follicular unit transplantation (FUT)FUT is the more “classic” method. It may also be called strip harvesting by some medical professionals.
FUT involves removing some skin, typically from the back of your scalp, where there’s an abundance of hair. A surgeon then removes the hair follicles from that strip of skin and reinserts them into the part of your scalp where you’re experiencing hair loss.
Follicular unit excision (FUE)During FUE, a surgeon removes hair follicles directly from your scalp and transplants them into the bald parts of your scalp. Direct hair implantation is a modified version of this technique in which a specialized tool is used to complete the procedure.
Laser treatmentLaser treatment is thought to help reduce the inflammation in hair follicles, preventing regrowth in some types of hair loss, such as alopecia areata.
There are limited studies to support the effectiveness of laser treatments for hair loss. But both a 2021 review of studiesTrusted Source and a 2023 studyTrusted Source involving 53 people indicate that low level laser therapy (LLLT) is safe and effective when used to treat male pattern hair loss.
According to a 2019 reviewTrusted Source, more research on LLLT is still needed.
Lifestyle changesQuit smokingMost people, including those who smoke, are likely well aware of the negative effects of smoking on overall health. But many may not know that smoking could be associated with hair loss as well.
A 2020 studyTrusted Source involving 1,000 male participants, ages 20 to 35 years, found that the majority of those who smoked had some degree of hair loss, while less than half of the participants who did not smoke had hair loss. Researchers note that participants did not report any scalp concerns or mental health diagnoses when recruited for the research.
If you smoke, quitting may help decrease hair loss.
Try scalp massageMassages not only feel wonderful but also may help with hair loss. Massaging your scalp stimulates your hair follicles.
Research from 2019 found that scalp massages were associated with self-perceived improvements in hair density.
A 2020 study suggests that scalp massage helped women with cancer regrow hair loss that resulted from chemotherapy (chemo). Researchers reported that their hair regrowth was “significantly improved” compared with those who didn’t receive a scalp massage.
Eat a balanced dietA balanced diet may help keep your hair healthy. It’s important to include a variety of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, unsaturated fats, and lean proteins in your diet. Limiting your consumption of sweets is also helpful.
A 2018 research reviewTrusted Source suggests an association between certain vitamins and minerals found in food and healthy hair. Consider adding some of these health-promoting foods to your diet:
iron-rich foods, including lean beef, beans, green leafy vegetables, iron-fortified grains, and eggs
foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, such as salmon, mackerel, tuna, flaxseed, egg yolks, hemp seeds, and walnuts
high protein foods, such as eggs, lean meats, and seafood
Drinking plenty of water is also an important part of a balanced diet.
Try to reduce stressStress can have negative effects on your body, including your hair, and can lead to hair loss.
During FUE, a surgeon removes hair follicles directly from your scalp and transplants them into the bald parts of your scalp. Direct hair implantation is a modified version of this technique in which a specialized tool is used to complete the procedure.
Laser treatmentLaser treatment is thought to help reduce the inflammation in hair follicles, preventing regrowth in some types of hair loss, such as alopecia areata.
There are limited studies to support the effectiveness of laser treatments for hair loss. But both a 2021 review of studiesTrusted Source and a 2023 studyTrusted Source involving 53 people indicate that low level laser therapy (LLLT) is safe and effective when used to treat male pattern hair loss.
According to a 2019 reviewTrusted Source, more research on LLLT is still needed.
Lifestyle changesQuit smokingMost people, including those who smoke, are likely well aware of the negative effects of smoking on overall health. But many may not know that smoking could be associated with hair loss as well.
A 2020 studyTrusted Source involving 1,000 male participants, ages 20 to 35 years, found that the majority of those who smoked had some degree of hair loss, while less than half of the participants who did not smoke had hair loss. Researchers note that participants did not report any scalp concerns or mental health diagnoses when recruited for the research.
If you smoke, quitting may help decrease hair loss.
Try scalp massageMassages not only feel wonderful but also may help with hair loss. Massaging your scalp stimulates your hair follicles.
Research from 2019 found that scalp massages were associated with self-perceived improvements in hair density.
A 2020 study suggests that scalp massage helped women with cancer regrow hair loss that resulted from chemotherapy (chemo). Researchers reported that their hair regrowth was “significantly improved” compared with those who didn’t receive a scalp massage.
Eat a balanced dietA balanced diet may help keep your hair healthy. It’s important to include a variety of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, unsaturated fats, and lean proteins in your diet. Limiting your consumption of sweets is also helpful.
A 2018 research reviewTrusted Source suggests an association between certain vitamins and minerals found in food and healthy hair. Consider adding some of these health-promoting foods to your diet:
iron-rich foods, including lean beef, beans, green leafy vegetables, iron-fortified grains, and eggs
foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, such as salmon, mackerel, tuna, flaxseed, egg yolks, hemp seeds, and walnuts
high protein foods, such as eggs, lean meats, and seafood
Drinking plenty of water is also an important part of a balanced diet.
Try to reduce stressStress can have negative effects on your body, including your hair, and can lead to hair loss.
Quit smokingMost people, including those who smoke, are likely well aware of the negative effects of smoking on overall health. But many may not know that smoking could be associated with hair loss as well.
A 2020 studyTrusted Source involving 1,000 male participants, ages 20 to 35 years, found that the majority of those who smoked had some degree of hair loss, while less than half of the participants who did not smoke had hair loss. Researchers note that participants did not report any scalp concerns or mental health diagnoses when recruited for the research.
If you smoke, quitting may help decrease hair loss.
Try scalp massageMassages not only feel wonderful but also may help with hair loss. Massaging your scalp stimulates your hair follicles.
Research from 2019 found that scalp massages were associated with self-perceived improvements in hair density.
A 2020 study suggests that scalp massage helped women with cancer regrow hair loss that resulted from chemotherapy (chemo). Researchers reported that their hair regrowth was “significantly improved” compared with those who didn’t receive a scalp massage.
Eat a balanced dietA balanced diet may help keep your hair healthy. It’s important to include a variety of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, unsaturated fats, and lean proteins in your diet. Limiting your consumption of sweets is also helpful.
A 2018 research reviewTrusted Source suggests an association between certain vitamins and minerals found in food and healthy hair. Consider adding some of these health-promoting foods to your diet:
iron-rich foods, including lean beef, beans, green leafy vegetables, iron-fortified grains, and eggs
foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, such as salmon, mackerel, tuna, flaxseed, egg yolks, hemp seeds, and walnuts
high protein foods, such as eggs, lean meats, and seafood
Drinking plenty of water is also an important part of a balanced diet.
Try to reduce stressStress can have negative effects on your body, including your hair, and can lead to hair loss.
Massages not only feel wonderful but also may help with hair loss. Massaging your scalp stimulates your hair follicles.
Research from 2019 found that scalp massages were associated with self-perceived improvements in hair density.
A 2020 study suggests that scalp massage helped women with cancer regrow hair loss that resulted from chemotherapy (chemo). Researchers reported that their hair regrowth was “significantly improved” compared with those who didn’t receive a scalp massage.
Eat a balanced dietA balanced diet may help keep your hair healthy. It’s important to include a variety of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, unsaturated fats, and lean proteins in your diet. Limiting your consumption of sweets is also helpful.
A 2018 research reviewTrusted Source suggests an association between certain vitamins and minerals found in food and healthy hair. Consider adding some of these health-promoting foods to your diet:
iron-rich foods, including lean beef, beans, green leafy vegetables, iron-fortified grains, and eggs
foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, such as salmon, mackerel, tuna, flaxseed, egg yolks, hemp seeds, and walnuts
high protein foods, such as eggs, lean meats, and seafood
Drinking plenty of water is also an important part of a balanced diet.
Try to reduce stressStress can have negative effects on your body, including your hair, and can lead to hair loss.
iron-rich foods, including lean beef, beans, green leafy vegetables, iron-fortified grains, and eggs
foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, such as salmon, mackerel, tuna, flaxseed, egg yolks, hemp seeds, and walnuts
high protein foods, such as eggs, lean meats, and seafood
Drinking plenty of water is also an important part of a balanced diet.
Try to reduce stressStress can have negative effects on your body, including your hair, and can lead to hair loss.
Strategies that may help reduce stress include:
getting regular physical activity
listening to music
practicing yoga
meditating
getting enough sleep
Natural remedies
Saw palmetto
Saw palmetto is a plant with small berries.
While research is sparse on saw palmetto’s ability to treat hair loss, a 2020 reviewTrusted Source suggests it may help with hair regrowth while causing few side effects.
Biotin
Biotin is a vitamin naturally found in certain foods, such as nuts, avocados, sweet potatoes, eggs, onions, and oats.
There’s some evidence that taking biotin may help slow hair loss, but most of the researchTrusted Source has been done in women with a biotin deficiency.
There’s a lack of evidenceTrusted Source to suggest that supplementing with biotin has a noticeable effect without taking many other factors into consideration, including the extent of hair loss.
BhringrajBhringraj (Eclipta alba), also called false daisy, is a species in the sunflower family. In Ayurvedic medicine, it’s known as an herb that supports hair regrowth.
According to a review article from 2023Trusted Source, extracts of the herb may result in hair regrowth by increasing blood flow to the scalp. However, more research is needed to find out whether these effects would occur in humans.
Green teaAnother purported herbal remedy for hair loss is green tea.
In a 2005 study with minksTrusted Source, the polyphenolic compounds present in green tea showed promise as a natural remedy for hair loss. However, there are no studies with humans to confirm these effects.
HibiscusChinese hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis) is marketed widely in India for hair regrowth. A 2003 review articleTrusted Source suggests positive effects on hair follicles of rats, but no studies have been done involving humans.
What causes hair loss or thinning?Any of the following factors could cause hair loss.
Genetics and family historyIf your relatives have hair loss, you’re more likely to develop it. Male pattern baldness, or androgenic alopecia, is a genetic condition that causes gradual hair loss. This could show up as a slowly receding hairline or thinning patches on the crown of your head.
Chronic stress or stressful events could lead to temporary hair thinning.
Medical conditions and stressSome medical conditions, such as hormonal conditions and autoimmune diseases, cause hair loss.
For example, thyroid problems, scalp infections, or trichotillomania (a hair-pulling disorder) could lead to thinning hair or bald patches.
An autoimmune condition called alopecia areata develops when your immune system attacks hair follicles, resulting in bald patches.
Medications and medical treatmentsHair loss is a potential side effect of several medications for diseases such as cancer, depression, gout, heart disease, and arthritis.
When to talk with a doctor about hair lossConsider speaking with a doctor if you:
experience sudden patchy hair loss
think a medication may be causing your hair loss
also have a rash
have scaly skin
Another purported herbal remedy for hair loss is green tea.
In a 2005 study with minksTrusted Source, the polyphenolic compounds present in green tea showed promise as a natural remedy for hair loss. However, there are no studies with humans to confirm these effects.
HibiscusChinese hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis) is marketed widely in India for hair regrowth. A 2003 review articleTrusted Source suggests positive effects on hair follicles of rats, but no studies have been done involving humans.
What causes hair loss or thinning?Any of the following factors could cause hair loss.
Genetics and family historyIf your relatives have hair loss, you’re more likely to develop it. Male pattern baldness, or androgenic alopecia, is a genetic condition that causes gradual hair loss. This could show up as a slowly receding hairline or thinning patches on the crown of your head.
Chronic stress or stressful events could lead to temporary hair thinning.
Medical conditions and stressSome medical conditions, such as hormonal conditions and autoimmune diseases, cause hair loss.
For example, thyroid problems, scalp infections, or trichotillomania (a hair-pulling disorder) could lead to thinning hair or bald patches.
An autoimmune condition called alopecia areata develops when your immune system attacks hair follicles, resulting in bald patches.
Medications and medical treatmentsHair loss is a potential side effect of several medications for diseases such as cancer, depression, gout, heart disease, and arthritis.
When to talk with a doctor about hair lossConsider speaking with a doctor if you:
experience sudden patchy hair loss
think a medication may be causing your hair loss
also have a rash
have scaly skin
Any of the following factors could cause hair loss.
Genetics and family historyIf your relatives have hair loss, you’re more likely to develop it. Male pattern baldness, or androgenic alopecia, is a genetic condition that causes gradual hair loss. This could show up as a slowly receding hairline or thinning patches on the crown of your head.
Chronic stress or stressful events could lead to temporary hair thinning.
Medical conditions and stressSome medical conditions, such as hormonal conditions and autoimmune diseases, cause hair loss.
For example, thyroid problems, scalp infections, or trichotillomania (a hair-pulling disorder) could lead to thinning hair or bald patches.
An autoimmune condition called alopecia areata develops when your immune system attacks hair follicles, resulting in bald patches.
Medications and medical treatmentsHair loss is a potential side effect of several medications for diseases such as cancer, depression, gout, heart disease, and arthritis.
When to talk with a doctor about hair lossConsider speaking with a doctor if you:
experience sudden patchy hair loss
think a medication may be causing your hair loss
also have a rash
have scaly skin
Some medical conditions, such as hormonal conditions and autoimmune diseases, cause hair loss.
For example, thyroid problems, scalp infections, or trichotillomania (a hair-pulling disorder) could lead to thinning hair or bald patches.
An autoimmune condition called alopecia areata develops when your immune system attacks hair follicles, resulting in bald patches.
Medications and medical treatmentsHair loss is a potential side effect of several medications for diseases such as cancer, depression, gout, heart disease, and arthritis.
When to talk with a doctor about hair lossConsider speaking with a doctor if you:
experience sudden patchy hair loss
think a medication may be causing your hair loss
also have a rash
have scaly skin
Consider speaking with a doctor if you:
experience sudden patchy hair loss
think a medication may be causing your hair loss
also have a rash
have scaly skin