Dermatologists And Research Show These Are The Only 4 At-Home Treatments That… | Latest Lifestyle News
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If your hair has started to thin, it’s only natural to want to take action right away. After all, hair loss can be far more than just a cosmetic concern—it can feel distressing to feel like you’re losing control of your own body.
But when facing hair loss, it’s important to seek the professional help of a board-certified dermatologist. Only they can pinpoint what’s causing your shedding and come up with an effective and customized treatment plan. Plus, they’re most likely to rely on therapies that have robust evidence to back them up.
Meet the experts: Paradi Mirmirani, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist specializing in hair disorders. Michele Green, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist.
But, hey, it’s totally understandable if you’re just too antsy to wait for that appointment. So if you want to get ahead of the game by tackling hair thinning on your own, here are some of the most effective over-the-counter and in-office options to consider.
Topical minoxidil
This is as close to a silver bullet as you could ask for. “Minoxidil is the only FDA-approved topical hair loss treatment, but even today we still don’t know exactly how it works,” says Paradi Mirmirani, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist specializing in hair disorders. “We do know it’s a vasodilator, because it was originally given as an oral medication to treat high blood pressure and hair growth was a side effect,” adds Michele Green, MD, a board-certified dermatologist. noting that increased blood flow to the follicle may be at play.
It’s available topically without a prescription in 2 percent and 5 precent concentrations (the docs we talked to say 5 percent tends to be more effective). It may take a few months to work, so patience and consistency are key, and if you stop using it, that new hair growth will stop, too. Find it in: Rogaine Women’s 2% Minoxidil Topical Solution or hers 5% Topical Minoxidil Foam Hair Regrowth Treatment.
Laser Devices
Most of these at-home devices rely on red light, and there is some data indicating that they can help with female pattern hair loss. Again, we don’t understand exactly why, but one theory is that they may combat the oxidative stress that plays a role in hair loss, adds Dr. Piliang. (Just like we know that free radical damage is no good for your skin, it also doesn’t do your scalp any favors, damaging the hair follicle and negatively impacting healthy hair growth.)
They’re generally safe, but they can be expensive, and research suggests they’ll work even better when paired with topical minoxidil. Try the Hairmax LaserBand 82 ComfortFlex (photographed for this story) or the LaserCap SD, which Dr. Green recommends to her patients. Use it every other day for 30 minutes.
Supplements
There are plenty of hair growth supplements on the marketing, but starting with a good multi-vitamin may be your best course of action. “My biggest issue with hair-specific supplements is that they’re pricey,” says Dr. Mirmirani. “There’s likely no harm in taking them, but you’ll also probably do just fine with an over-the-counter multivitamin.” She suggests starting there and, if after six months you don’t see a difference—and you have the money to spend—consider moving onto something more expensive.
One to try is Nutrafol Women. Dr. Green was skeptical about the hype surrounding this popular supplement…until she started taking it herself and was impressed with the results. “I do think there’s a place for it for most patients. It’s good for overall hair follicle health, which is important for any type of hair loss,” she says. Just keep in mind that it’s not cheap, it takes three to six months to see results, and requires a regimen of four pills daily.
Another option that several Women’s Health editors had success taking is the OMI Well Beauty Hair Growth Peptides. Unlike straight-up supplements, which, well, supplement for nutritional deficiencies, OMI’s product works differently: OMI’s capsules contain a novel peptide blend that studies suggest may stimulate new hair growth, reduce hair loss, and enhance the strength of individual hair fibers in just 90 days.
Anti-Dandruff Shampoo
Again, there are plenty of shampoos for thinning hair out there, but a surprising option has some real science behind it: dandruff shampoo. Even if you think you don’t have dandruff or see any visible flakes, you can have it without realizing.
A dandruff shampoo formula is effective for keeping yeast and inflammation in check, which may help keep hair loss at bay. In fact, one study showed that men with male pattern hair loss experienced an improvement in hair growth after using an anti-dandruff shampoo. Try Head & Shoulders Classic Clean Anti-Dandruff, which contains a 1 percent concentration of pyrithione zinc, the studied ingredient.
2% Minoxidil Topical Solution
This solution contains 2% minoxidil, the only FDA-approved topical ingredient to deal with hair loss. A great first-line treatment.
Ultima 12 LaserComb
Research shoes that laser light can reverse hair loss. Run this comb through your hair three times a week for eleven minutes to get results.
Women’s Hair Growth Supplements
A blend of vitamins, zinc, selenium, marine collagen and more that target the major causes of hair loss, including stress and nutrition.
Hair Growth Peptides
Just two tiny capsules a day can net you longer, stronger, thicker hair in just three months, courtesy of a patented peptide blend.
Classic Clean Daily-Use Anti-Dandruff Shampoo
Dandruff shampoo helps to quell inflammation and scalp yeast at bay—and may help improve hair loss too.
Give these solutions a try, and you’re sure to be on your way to healthier, thicker hair.
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