Best Hair Growth Products and Treatments for Men

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There is a wide range of hair growth products out there aimed at men that promise incredible results but it can be difficult to find ones that are truly effective at stimulating hair growth and preventing hair loss.

There are some key ingredients to look which include Minoxidil or Finasteride and certain oils such as rosemary oil which has been found to be effective at increasing hair growth.

In all cases, if you are looking for a hair loss treatment that works, we recommend that you see a trichologist who will be able to first diagnose the source of hair loss and give you professional advice with realistic expectations.

Do hair growth products work to make hair thicker?

This depends on the individual and the type of products you are using. Some products and treatments can be very effective and are likely to have evidence-based ingredients or technologies for stimulating hair growth.

There are however a lot of ineffective hair products that have ingredients with no proven hair growth properties. Some examples of this include shampoos with rice water, mustard oil or biotin.

Ingredients such as Finasteride, and Minoxidil have science-backed claims and will actively lower the DHT in your body causing male pattern hair loss.

What are the best hair growth products and treatments for men?

Minoxidil

Minoxidil is one of the most prescribed hair loss treatments for men.

Minoxidil opens up small blood vessels in the scalp which allows for more oxygen and nutrients to reach the hair follicles which encourages healthier and thicker hair growth.

Typically known as Regaine, Minoxidil is available to purchase without a prescription and involves applying the treatment topically to the scalp. Minoxidil does come in different strengths, so that may be where you see a difference in how your hair responds.

Finasteride

Finasteride is most effective on male pattern baldness which is where an increased amount of testosterone is converted into a male hormone called dihydrotestosterone (DHT). DHT limits the hair follicles’ ability to produce hair by binding to their androgen receptors. This results in hair loss.

Finasteride works to prevent testosterone from being converted to DHT which as a result reduces hair loss.

Finasteride is sold under brand names such as Propecia and Proscar and is a prescription-only medicine that is taken as a tablet. There are some product variations which feature Finasteride as a topical treatment, however, these have not yet been licensed by the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHPRA) which means there is not enough research yet to approve it for widespread use.

Rosemary Oil

Rosemary Oil is it is one of the most evidence-based natural remedies for hair loss. It comes with a lot of benefits for your hair as well as stimulating hair growth it can also help to prevent hair loss, reduce dandruff, strengthen your hair and add shine.

One scientific study compared rosemary oil to Minoxidil. Throughout the six-month study, balding patients were given either rosemary oil or Minoxidil. At the end of the trial period which lasted 6 months, both rosemary oil and minoxidil produced significant hair growth in participants.

Rosemary oil contains carnosic acid which is claimed to improve cellular turnover and improve blood circulation, which can impact your hair’s ability to grow long and healthy. It also has antioxidant properties that help to protect hair follicles and its superior hydrating properties eliminate any dryness of the scalp.

It can take several months of regular use for rosemary oil to work, so it’s important to be patient and always remember to apply to the scalp topically or by mixing it into your shampoo and conditioner.

Whilst many hair loss products list rosemary oil as their ingredient, it is often a diluted version that is mixed with other oils so often the full benefits are not seen compared to using a more concentrated version of the oil.

Non-Surgical Hair Loss Treatment

Non-surgical hair loss treatment is widely used to treat hair loss/thinning and many research studies into the treatment have stated a beneficial effect on hair loss.

The treatment involves having your blood taken which is then put into a machine called a centrifuge. The centrifuge spins the blood to separate out the red blood cells and blood plasma.

The blood is then injected into the hair follicles on your head in areas of hair loss. Platelet activation will then occur and the growth factors within the blood cells will stimulate the hair follicles. The improvement in blood circulation can also improve the quality of the hair follicles.

This treatment should only be performed in clinic and is commonly combined with other treatments such as Viviscal. It can also be performed after a hair transplant to help achieve the best results.

Calecim

Calecim is an advanced hair loss treatment that uses powerful growth factors to help promote hair growth for fuller-looking hair.

Calecim actively works to encourage hair follicle cell growth, prolong the hair growth phase, stimulate hair follicle development, and suppress inflammation and hormonal cues that can cause damage to hair follicle cells.

The treatment is performed in clinic and involves Calecim serum being infused into the scalp with a microneedling device such as Dermaroller or Dermastamp. A course of treatment to be performed weekly for 6-12 weeks is recommended followed by maintenance treatments every 3-6 months.

FUE Hair Transplant

In some cases, hair loss can be too far gone for any non-surgical treatment and products to work effectively. Or for others, they may want more significant results in which case a hair transplant procedure is going to be the best option.

An FUE Hair Transplant procedure requires extracting DHT-resistant hair follicles from the back of the scalp and implanting them back into areas of thinning or balding. This procedure will take place in clinic with one of our expert hair transplant surgeons. It can take around 5-6 hours to perform a hair transplant, and in more extensive cases it may be split over two days.

During a hair transplant consultation, your surgeon will determine how many hair follicles or hair grafts you are likely to require in order to achieve the best results. They will perform a full analysis of your scalp to help determine your suitability for the procedure.

The results of a FUE Hair Transplant are not best seen until at least 6 months following the procedure. This is because it takes time for the new hair follicles to grow and strengthen.

Summary

Amongst the wide range of hair loss products and treatments available, there are ones that could work for you. The most important thing we recommend doing is research, look into ingredients and scientific claims about the product and its efficiency. Secondly, we recommend having a consultation with a trichologist who will be able to diagnose the cause of your hair loss and recommend which products and treatments are going to be most beneficial for you. Their professional advice could be key to working out what is, and what is not going to work for you.

Helping you to make an informed decision

The expertise of our surgeons & trichologists

Our hair transplant surgeons are UK-based surgeons registered with the GMC. They will be supporting you throughout your entire hair restoration journey and beyond.
Our trichologists are experts and can provide you with professional advice on how best to manage hair loss and thinning.
Our Hair Transplant Surgeons have many years of experience in FUE (Follicular Unit Extraction) and treat hundreds of patients every year.

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