Conditions Back ConditionsDrugs & Supplements Back Drugs & SupplementsWell-Being Back Well-BeingMore Back More Privacy & More Subscribe Log In Search Subscribe Beauty GuideFace & BodyHair & Nails Makeup & CosmeticsOutsmart Aging View Full Guide Treatments for Thinning Hair: Do They Work?Medically Reviewed by Stephanie S. Gardner, MD on September 18, 2023Written by 3 min readSo you're never going to have a thick, lush head of again. But at least you'd like to hang on to what you've got. Short of a transplant, is there anything you can do to stop thinning ?Yes. With some treatments, you can slow down or stop hair thinning -- and maybe even grow back some hair you thought was gone forever. Read on to see what works and what doesn't.MinoxidilThis is the only over-the-counter for hair loss approved by the FDA for use by both men and women. It won't rescue a receding hairline. It does stimulate hair growth, although scientists aren't quite sure how it works. is available as or l, or in generic form. It's sold as a liquid or foam and in two strengths: 2% and 5%. There's also oral Minoxidil 2.5 -5 mg daily dose to grow hair.Effectiveness: Minoxidil works for about 2 out of 3 men. It's most effective if you're under age 40 and have only recently started to lose your hair.How to use it: Twice a day, when your hair is dry, apply minoxidil on your scalp where the hair has started to thin. Then be patient. You may not notice changes for 4 months or more.What it doesn't do: Minoxidil does not cure baldness. If you stop using it, you will start losing hair again. Your hair may fall out faster than before.Side effects: You may have redness, , dryness, flaking, or other scalp irritation, though this is uncommon. It's more likely if you use the stronger 5% solution.FinasterideThis medication stops your body from making the hormone at the root of , DHT (dihydrotestosterone). It is available under the brand name Propecia. Learn more about .Effectiveness: is very effective. It slows or stops in nearly 90% of men. About two-thirds of these men also regrow some hair.How to use it: Finasteride is a pill. Usually, you take it once a day. Your dermatologist may recommend using it in combination with minoxidil.What it doesn't do: Like minoxidil, it doesn't cure hair loss. If you stop taking it, you will lose hair again.Side effects: Finasteride can and other sexual side effects, though this is unusual. If it happens to you, it will likely clear up once you stop taking finasteride. But for some men, that can take 3 months or more.Biotin and Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) is a B vitamin that is essential for your health. You most likely get plenty of it in your diet in egg yolks, yeast, , and other foods. That’s good news because too little biotin can cause hair loss. Does that mean that taking mega-doses of it will give you more hair? Probably not. No scientific studies have shown biotin to prevent or treat hair loss. Learn more about . Hair supplements like Viviscal or Nutrafol have shown success in stimulating hair growth.You may have heard that laser combs, brushes, hoods, and caps can help halt hair loss. The theory is that when hair follicles absorb laser light at a certain level, it stimulates hair to grow. But there’s not enough evidence that any of these devices restore hair or prevent balding.When to See a Doctor for Hair LossIf you lose hair suddenly, see your doctor. It may be caused by illnesses, medicine, or low levels of iron or vitamin D.SourcesUpdate HistorySharePrintSOURCES:American Academy of Dermatology: "Hair Loss: Diagnosis, treatment and outcome," "Hair loss: Who gets and causes."Avram, M. Journal of Cosmetic and Laser Therapy, March 2007.FDA: "Questions and Answers: Finasteride Label Changes."International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery: "Low Level Laser Therapy."Linus Pauling Institute: "Biotin."MedLine Plus: "Minoxidil Topical."Messenger, A. British Journal of Dermatology, 2004.Adam Penstein, MD, chief of dermatology, North Shore-LIJ Health System, Lake Success, NY.Trueb, R. Journal of Clinical Interventions in Aging, June 2006.SharePrintMore on Healthy Beauty Recommended FEATURED Top doctors in , Find more top doctors on Search Related LinksPoliciesAboutFor Advertisers © 2005 - 2025 WebMD LLC, an company. All rights reserved. WebMD does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. , There's also oral Minoxidil 2.5 -5 mg daily dose to grow hair. Effectiveness: Minoxidil works for about 2 out of 3 men. It's most effective if you're under age 40 and have only recently started to , "If hair loss is from stress, hormones, or nutrition, fixing the underlying issue (like managing stress or improving diet) is just as important," says board-certified dermatologist Dr. Omer Ibrahim, M.D. "[Hair loss treatments are] worth trying for early or mild cases, but if shedding is severe or persistent, a dermatologist is the way to go.".