Hair loss treatments that actually work

Five treatments have strong clinical evidence behind them for hair loss: minoxidil, finasteride, PRP, low-level laser therapy, and hair transplant surgery. Here is what each can and cannot do. Sorting through the options means knowing which treatments are backed by clinical trials, which are promising but unproven, and which are mostly wishful thinking - and this guide works through all five, explains what each one can and cannot do, and gives you the questions to ask before spending a dirham.

How to read the evidence grades here

Each treatment below carries an evidence grade based on the quality of clinical research behind it. Grade A means multiple well-designed randomised controlled trials confirm the effect. Grade B means good evidence from smaller or shorter trials. Grade C means early-stage or mixed evidence - the treatment may work, but we cannot say with confidence for whom or how well. Grade labels here match the hierarchy used by bodies like the American Academy of Dermatology.1

Minoxidil - Grade A

Minoxidil is the most evidence-rich topical treatment for pattern hair loss available without a prescription. Originally developed as an oral blood pressure medication, it was noticed to cause hair growth as a side effect - and the topical version has been studied in randomised trials since the 1980s.2 It is approved by the US FDA for both men (2% and 5% solution or foam) and women (2% solution and 5% foam).

It works by widening blood vessels around hair follicles and prolonging the growth phase of the hair cycle. It does not affect hormones, which is why it works across sexes without the hormonal risks attached to finasteride.

Finasteride - Grade A (men only)

Finasteride is an oral prescription medication that works differently from minoxidil. It blocks the enzyme (5-alpha reductase) that converts testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT) - the hormone responsible for shrinking follicles in androgenetic alopecia. Large randomised trials show it slows hair loss and promotes regrowth in the majority of men who take it consistently.1

It is approved at 1 mg daily for male pattern hair loss. The evidence for finasteride in women is limited and mixed; it is not approved for women of childbearing potential because of the risk of harm to a male foetus. Some dermatologists prescribe it off-label for post-menopausal women - that is a conversation to have with a specialist, not a decision to make on your own from general reading.

PRP hair treatment - Grade B

PRP involves drawing a small amount of your blood, spinning it in a centrifuge to concentrate the platelets, and injecting that concentrated plasma into the scalp. The growth factors released by activated platelets are thought to stimulate follicle activity. Clinical trials show statistically significant improvements in hair density and thickness, but study sizes are generally small and protocols vary widely between clinics - which makes direct comparisons difficult.3

PRP is popular partly because it is a drug-free option that uses your own blood. That is a fair description - but 'natural' does not automatically mean risk-free or effective for everyone. Learn more about what a PRP treatment session involves before booking.

Laser hair loss treatment (LLLT) - Grade B

Low-level laser therapy, or LLLT (also called photobiomodulation), uses specific wavelengths of red or near-infrared light to stimulate cellular activity in follicles. Several FDA-cleared devices exist for home use (helmet, cap, comb formats) as well as in-clinic hoods. Randomised trials show modest but consistent improvements in hair density in both men and women with androgenetic alopecia.4

LLLT is often used alongside minoxidil or finasteride rather than instead of them. On its own, it is unlikely to produce dramatic regrowth in moderate or advanced loss. Its value is in supporting other treatments and in people who cannot or prefer not to use medications. See our LLLT device guide if you are comparing home and in-clinic options.

Hair transplant surgery - Grade A for coverage, not always a standalone solution

Hair transplant surgery - most commonly follicular unit extraction (FUE), where individual follicles are harvested from a donor area (usually the back of the scalp) and implanted into areas of loss - is the only option that creates permanent, lasting coverage in transplanted areas. The transplanted follicles are genetically resistant to DHT, which is why results in the right candidate are durable.1

The critical thing to understand: a transplant redistributes existing hair. It does not generate new follicles. If native hair continues to fall out around transplanted areas - which it will without ongoing medical treatment - the overall result can look unnatural over time. Most surgeons recommend continuing minoxidil or finasteride post-transplant to protect non-transplanted hair.

How the treatments compare side by side

Considerations for darker skin tones (Fitzpatrick IV-VI)

Most of the clinical trials behind these treatments were conducted predominantly in lighter skin tone populations, which is worth keeping in mind when you read efficacy data. For topical and oral treatments (minoxidil, finasteride), skin tone does not affect mechanism or safety. For PRP, the treatment is skin-tone neutral since it uses your own blood products. For LLLT, some wavelengths penetrate differently across skin tones - ask any clinic what wavelength their device uses and whether it has been tested in Fitzpatrick IV-VI populations.5 For transplant surgery, darker skin tones can be at slightly higher risk of keloid scarring at donor sites - a board-certified surgeon with documented experience in Fitzpatrick IV-VI skin is the key criterion here.5

Questions to ask in your consultation

How to read marketing claims

A few phrases are worth recognising as signals to slow down. 'Clinically proven' without a cited trial tells you very little - ask which trial, in how many people, over how long, and published where. '100% natural' is a framing device, not a safety or efficacy statement. 'Guaranteed results' is not a promise any ethical clinic can make for a biological process - no two people respond identically. 'Stem cell hair treatment' describes an emerging field where evidence in humans is still early-stage; be cautious of clinics presenting it as established. A clinic worth trusting will show you the evidence, give you a realistic outcome range, and support you in taking time before committing.