Noticing more hairs than normal on your pillow? You're far from alone. Hair loss affects around 80% of men at some point in their lives.
With countless products promising miraculous results, it's hard to know what actually works. We've cut through the noise to bring you the science-backed facts on what genuinely helps hair grow back.
Key Takeaways
- Most hair loss is genetic and happens gradually with age
- Proven medications like finasteride and minoxidil can prevent hair loss and stimulate regrowth
- Diet supports healthy hair growth, and supplements are most useful for correcting deficiencies
- Treatments like microneedling show promise, but should be done by a professional
- Many products are marketed for hair growth, but few are backed by strong scientific evidence
Why does hair loss happen in men?
Most male hair loss is genetic. As you age, your hair follicles shrink and the growth phase gets shorter. Eventually, they stop producing new hairs altogether.
Sometimes hair loss is temporary (stress-related, for example) or caused by specific factors like harsh styling products or certain medications.
The good news? While your follicles are still functioning, there are proven ways to stimulate growth by:
- Increasing blood flow to hair roots to extend the growth phase
- Addressing the root cause of hair loss
- Using medications that prevent follicles from shrinking
Do hair loss medications work?
Minoxidil and finasteride are the two clinically proven treatments for male pattern baldness. They’re effective for most men and can genuinely stimulate hair regrowth.
How they work:
- Minoxidil boosts blood flow to your hair roots, helping follicles stay in the growth phase longer
- Finasteride reduces DHT (dihydrotestosterone), the hormone that causes follicles to shrink over time
Both have strong clinical evidence backing them up.
Can diet help with hair growth?
A balanced, nutritious diet keeps your hair healthy and strong. Deficiencies in certain nutrients have been linked to hair loss, including:
- Protein
- Iron
- Zinc
- Vitamin D
- Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids
Meanwhile, vitamins A, B, C, D, E, along with iron, selenium, and zinc all support healthy hair growth.
Do supplements help hair growth?
The evidence is thin. While supplements are heavily marketed for hair growth, there's little scientific proof they work.
Your doctor may recommend iron or vitamin D supplements if blood tests show a deficiency. But for most people, a balanced diet provides everything your hair needs.
Do essential oils help hair growth?
There's one notable study on rosemary oil. In a 6-month trial of 100 men, rosemary oil performed similarly to minoxidil 2% in terms of hair count increase. The rosemary oil group also experienced less scalp itching.
However, this evidence is limited. The study used minoxidil 2%, which is a lower concentration than the standard 5% or 10% that some providers prescribe off-label. We'd need larger studies comparing rosemary oil with these higher-strength formulations to draw firmer conclusions.
Other essential oils like lavender and peppermint have shown potential in small studies and animal research, but there's insufficient data to recommend them.
The bottom line: Essential oils aren't first-line treatments for hair loss, but rosemary oil may be worth discussing with your provider as a complementary approach alongside proven treatments.
Does microneedling work for hair growth?
Yes, there's promising evidence that microneedling can boost follicle stimulation in men with hair loss.
Important: Don't attempt this at home. Book an appointment with a qualified clinician who can perform the treatment safely and effectively.
What helps beard growth in men?
Research on beard growth is limited, but based on what we know about hair growth generally, these may help:
- Microneedling performed by a professional
- Eating a balanced diet rich in hair-supporting nutrients
- Minoxidil (though it's not licensed for beard growth and needs more research)
When should you see a doctor about hair growth problems?
Worrying about your hair loss is reason enough to book an appointment.
You should definitely see a doctor if:
- Your hair loss is sudden or severe
- Hair is coming out in clumps or patches
- You have other symptoms like burning, itching, or scalp pain
- You notice redness or scaling on your scalp
These could indicate an infection, autoimmune condition, or other underlying health issue.
Get your confidence back
Evidence-based hair loss treatments are available at MANUAL. Start your consultation today to find the right solution for you.
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