For the most bang for your buck, consider a minoxidil 5% solution, Dr. Daveluy says: “Minoxidil has the best evidence of any over-the-counter hair-loss product.” Originally developed as a medication to lower blood pressure, minoxidil helps your blood vessels relax. “We aren’t 100% sure how it helps hair growth, but we believe it relaxes the blood vessels in the scalp, which allows more blood flow to reach the hairs and nourish their growth,” he says.
You can also try certain prescription medications that either block dihydrotestosterone (or DHT, a hormone that can increase hair-follicle miniaturization) or decrease androgen production. These include propecia, dutasteride, and spironolactone, says Dr. Green.
Pricier potential solutions for hair loss include laser treatments, which can help regrow hair, as well as platelet-rich plasma (PRP) treatments, which involve a doctor drawing your blood, spinning it down, extracting the platelets, and injecting them into your scalp to help stimulate growth, Dr. Davis says.
“PRP injections require minimal downtime and are incredibly safe, as the PRP is taken from the patient’s own blood supply,” says Dr. Green. “Typically, an initial series of treatments is recommended, followed by regular maintenance sessions, to achieve the best restoration results.”
