Best hair loss treatment for men

There are many ways to treat hair loss in men – the best being FDA-approved medications, low-level laser therapy, and hair care products. It may not be a case of using one thing to treat the problem but building a strong daily routine of different components to combat hair loss and regrow hair naturally.

In this guide, we’ll cover the causes of hair loss, hair growth treatments, natural hair loss treatments, how to maximize scalp heath, and how Nioxin products can help on your regrowth journey.

What causes hair loss in men?

For men, hair loss – also known as alopecia – commonly presents as male pattern baldness, where the hairline begins to recede from the forehead. Gradually thinning hair on the top of the head is the most common form of hair loss and affects many men as they age.

Hair loss can be caused by one or a combination of the below factors:

• Hereditary hair loss: the most common cause of hair loss is androgenetic alopecia – a condition passed down in families that causes male pattern baldness, which can start in a man’s 20s or even younger. It normally occurs gradually in predictable patterns – which, for men, often begins as a receding hairline and balding at the crown of the head.

• Hormones and conditions: hormonal and medical conditions can play a part in hair loss, including alopecia areata, which causes patchy hair loss; scalp infections; and trichotillomania, a hair-pulling disorder.

• Medication: hair loss can be a side effect of certain medications, including some for treating cancer, depression, heart conditions, arthritis, high blood pressure, gout and other diseases.

• Stress and shock: a stressful event, or a physical or emotional shock, can trigger general, temporary hair thinning.

• Hairstyling and treatments: hairstyles that pull hair tight, like ponytails or cornrows, can cause a form of hair loss known as traction alopecia. Some hair treatments, like hot oil treatments, can also cause hair to fall out – and if scarring occurs, it could be permanent.

Read more about the causes of hair loss in our full guide.

FDA-approved hair growth treatments for men

There are 3 U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved treatments to help stimulate hair growth that your healthcare provider might recommend. These are:

Finasteride (Propecia®)

A prescription medication that’s FDA-approved for the treatment of male pattern baldness (but not female).

Minoxidil (Rogaine®)

A topical medication that’s applied directly onto the scalp, available over the counter without a prescription.

Low-level laser therapy (LLLT)

While not FDA-approved, but FDA-cleared, LLLT devices essentially stimulate weak hair follicles to work better. These devices shine red light onto the scalp which is absorbed by follicles to help them generate more energy, improving their ability to grow hair.3 A 2013 study of 41 men found that red light hair growth treatment over 16 weeks caused a 39% increase in hair growth.

LLLT devices are available as laser hair growth helmets, combs, and even hats. Each device comes with its own instructions on how to use it for best results.

How scalp health supports hair regrowth

The scalp incubates hair fibers before they emerge – therefore, its health is vital for producing healthy hair.

Nioxin’s Hair Fall Defense Serum is a great leave-on scalp treatment for thinning hair. With ingredients including caffeine to stimulate hair follicles and niacinamide which helps nourish your hair’s roots and positively impacts hair growth.

Or, try Nioxin Night Density Rescue Serum to promote the appearance of thicker hair in just 2 months.* This leave-in serum works while you sleep, promoting scalp health and strengthening the hair shaft to reduce breakage.

Nioxin hair products – like our System Kit 1 for light thinning, and System Kit 2 for progressed thinning – remove impurities that clog hair follicles and infuse the scalp with antioxidants, improving its health and condition so it can grow thicker, fuller hair.

(* through a powerful blend of antioxidants known to neutralize free radicals on the scalp surface)

Best natural hair loss treatments and daily routines

Alongside using a mix of medical treatments like finasteride or minoxidil, and LLLT devices, you can support your hair loss prevention and regrowth journey with natural hair loss treatments like Nioxin’s Hair Fall Defense Serum. Designed for daily use, it reduces hair fall for 93% of users, and is free from parabens, sulfates and colorants.

Other ways to incorporate natural treatments into your daily routine include:

• Scalp massaging

• Applying pure aloe vera gel, coconut oil, or rosemary oil to your scalp

• Fish oil supplements.

How to choose the right treatment for your hair loss stage

When looking for the best hair loss treatment for you, it’s important to identify the stage of your hair loss, as this will impact which treatment types will work.

According to the Norwood scale, the seven stages of hair loss are:

Stage 1: no noticeable hair loss or receding hairline.

Stage 2: slight hairline recession at the temples – also known as a mature hairline.

Stage 3: recession at the temples becomes significant, appearing as M, U or V shapes. Or, hairline remains the same as stage 2, but significant hair loss affects the scalp or crown of the head (the vertex).

Stage 4: hairline recession continues, and there is sparse or no hair on the vertex. A band of hair across the scalp separates the two areas of hair loss.

Stage 5: the band of hair separating the hairline and the vertex becomes narrower and sparser.

Stage 6: the separating band of hair is either gone or very sparse, connecting the two areas of hair loss.

Stage 7: no hair remains on the top of the head, and hair around the back and sides is finer than it once was.

The more advanced your hair loss, the more aggressive treatments will need to be used. The key is to act early to help reduce hair loss and promote regrowth when you first notice hair thinning.

Before deciding on a treatment, your healthcare provider will need to determine the cause of your hair loss. If it’s due to a disease, this will need to be treated, and if it’s caused by a medication, it may be stopped or changed.

If the cause of hair loss is male pattern baldness, Minoxidil or Finasteride will often be suggested, along with lifestyle changes, hair care products, and LLLT. In cases that match the later stages of the Norwood scale, hair transplant surgery may be the most effective route.

Start your hair growth journey with Nioxin

Nioxin was started in 1987 due to founder Eva Graham’s own experience with hair loss and the insight that beautiful hair begins at the scalp.

Explore our solutions for alopecia of all types, including our hair care systems, hair fall defense products, and our antioxidant Night Density Rescue Serum which is clinically proven to boost hair density in 8 weeks.

FAQs

What is the best hair loss treatment for men in 2026?

The best hair loss treatment for men depends on the individual, but successful treatments often include one or a mix of:

• Medications like Minoxidil or Finasteride

• Low-level laser therapy

• Hair loss prevention shampoos, serums and other products

• Hair transplant surgery.

What is the difference between Minoxidil and Finasteride for hair loss?

The main differences between the two medications are the way they’re applied, how they work, and their side effects.

Minoxidil is available over the counter and is applied topically, as a solution or foam, directly to the scalp. It works by increasing blood flow to hair follicles, aiming to revitalize dormant hairs and help them grow. Minoxidil’s common side effects are usually localized and can include skin irritation, itchiness, scalp redness, and excessive body hair growth. Rarer side effects include an irregular heartbeat and blurred vision.

Finasteride is taken as an oral tablet and can only be obtained with a prescription from your healthcare provider. It targets the hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which is responsible for hair thinning in men. Finasteride slows the progression of male hair loss and encourages regrowth by inhibiting the hormone testosterone from converting into DHT. As Finasteride is an oral medication that acts upon hormones, its side effects can affect the whole body, including decreased libido, erectile dysfunction, and breast tenderness and enlargement. These side effects are rare but can be more significant than those associated with Minoxidil.

How long does it take to see results from hair loss treatments?

Unfortunately, there is no fast-acting fix for hair loss, and a daily routine of treatment over time is what can make the most difference. Timescales for seeing results from different treatments are:

• Minoxidil: 8-12 weeks

• Finasteride: 3-6 months

• LLLT: 8-12 weeks

• Hair transplant surgery: full results should be seen after 10-18 months

For more information on dealing with hair loss, check out our blog where you can find a range of articles about hair loss. Want to get to know your hair? You can also take our quiz for an expert hair consultation. Sources:   Mayo Clinic, https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hair-loss/symptoms-causes/syc-20372926 Cleveland Clinic, https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/8307-hair-loss-treatments Healthline, https://www.healthline.com/health/laser-treatment-for-hair-loss Pub Med, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24078483/ Pub Med Central, https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6369642/ Healthline, https://www.healthline.com/health/regrow-hair-naturally Healthline, https://www.healthline.com/health/norwood-scale#stages Mayo Clinic, https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hair-loss/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20372932 The Independent Pharmacy, https://www.theindependentpharmacy.co.uk/hair-loss/guides/finasteride-vs-minoxidil-whats-the-right-choice-for-me Oxford Online Pharmacy, https://www.oxfordonlinepharmacy.co.uk/blog/how-long-does-it-take-minoxidil-to-work NHS, https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/finasteride/common-questions-about-finasteride/ British Hair Clinic, https://www.britishhairclinic.com/laser-hair-therapy/ NHS, https://www.nhs.uk/tests-and-treatments/cosmetic-procedures/cosmetic-surgery/hair-transplant/