Best products for hair loss in 2024: What are my options?
Our experts discuss how some of the most popular male and female hair loss treatments work to help determine which ones could be best for you in this comprehensive guide.
Updated: Friday 19 April 2024
According to the latest medical research, Finasteride and minoxidil (Regiane) remain the most effective and commonly prescribed hair loss treatments in 2024. In addition to these two treatments, there are numerous other products that can help prevent hair loss - especially if they are used alongside Finasteride and minoxidil.
With this in mind, our experts have written this comprehensive guide detailing the scientific mechanisms of the best products for hair loss in 2024 to help with deciding which ones could be ideal for you.
Finasteride
How Finasteride works
Finasteride is considered by many to be the best hair loss treatment for male pattern baldness - and the latest research as of 2024 supports this claim.
Studies show[1] that Finasteride inhibits an enzyme called 5-alpha reductase in the body, preventing the conversion of testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT). This helps prevent hair loss because DHT causes scalp hair follicles to shrink in men who are genetically susceptible to hair loss.
Recent studies on the efficacy of Finasteride echo what previous research has suggested. According to a study from 2022, Finasteride 1mg tablets increase total hair count compared to placebo by more than 12 hairs per square centimetre on the scalp after 24 weeks of use, rising to more than 16 hairs per square centimetre of the scalp after 48 weeks of use[2].
At Pharmica, both the generic version of Finasteride as well as the branded and more expensive variant known as Propecia are available for purchase upon completion of an online consultation to determine treatment eligibility.
Is Finasteride the best hair loss product for me?
Finasteride could be the best hair loss product for you if you are male, aged 18 to 65 and are deemed eligible for treatment after completing an online consultation for hair loss.
It is important to note that the effects of Finasteride (and many other hair loss products) are only noticeable after several months of treatment and it is only effective for men with partial hair loss as opposed to complete hair loss.
Minoxidil (Regaine)
How minoxidil works
Minoxidil is a topical hair loss product that helps widen blood vessels in the scalp, increasing blood flow to the hair follicles[3]. This action causes an increase in blood circulation in the scalp, enabling more nutrients and oxygen to reach the hair follicles to strengthen existing hair and potentially promote new hair growth.
Hair loss products containing minoxidil
Regaine Foam for Men
Regaine Foam for Men (also known as Regaine Extra Strength Foam) contains 5% minoxidil suspended in a cutaneous foam. When the button on the product is pressed down, the foam ejects from the nozzle and can be applied to the scalp either directly or using the fingers after being sprayed onto the fingers.
Regaine foam leaves behind a layer of minoxidil on the scalp after the bubbles of the foam burst. The foam composition of this product makes it easier to apply to targeted areas of the scalp where hair thinning is most prominent, such as the crown.
Regaine Foam for Women
Regaine Foam for Women works in the same way as Regaine Foam for Men and provides the same benefits listed above. It also contains 5% minoxidil suspended in a cutaneous foam.
Regaine Solution for Men
Regaine Solution for Men (also known as Regaine Extra Strength Solution contains 5% Minoxidil suspended in a liquid solution. It produces the same effects as Regaine Foam; the two variants are available as some individuals prefer spraying liquid Regaine solution on the scalp as opposed to applying a foam.
Regaine Solution for Women
Regaine Solution for Women (also known as Regaine for Women Regular Strength) works in the same way as Regaine Solution for Men, with the primary difference being that it contains 2% minoxidil (hence being referred to as ‘regular strength’).
Which Regaine hair loss product should I use?
The best Regaine product for you largely depends on how you prefer to apply it to the scalp. Regaine Foam, once ejected from the canister, retains its shape temporarily before the bubbles burst, leaving behind a film of minoxidil. In comparison, Regaine Solution is a liquid that comes in a spray bottle for direct application to the scalp.
Both versions of this hair loss product contain the same active ingredient (minoxidil) and therefore have the same effect.
Alpecin Shampoo and Liquid
Alpecin Caffeine Shampoo
Alpecin Caffeine Shampoo contains caffeine, vitamin B3 (niacin) and zinc - all of which can potentially help reduce hair loss and promote hair regrowth.
Studies suggest that caffeine can help lengthen the hair shaft and extend the growth phase of hair (known as the ‘anagen’ phase)[4], while vitamin B3 has been shown to increase hair fullness[5].
Research on the positive effects of zinc on preventing hair loss is not as conclusive, but there is some evidence to suggest that men experiencing pattern hair loss tend to have lower zinc concentrations in the body. This suggests that the intake of zinc through topical products like Alpecin Caffeine Shampoo may potentially reduce hair loss.
Alpecin Double Effect
Alpecin Double Effect is a shampoo that contains caffeine, salicylic acid, and piroctone olamine. Studies show[6] that piroctone olamine in particular can help maintain a balanced microbial flora on the scalp by targeting a yeast called Malassezia that causes dandruff. This reduces scalp inflammation, strengthening hair follicles and stabilising the hair growth cycle.
Alpecin Liquid
Alpecin Liquid has the same primary ingredients as Alpecin Caffeine Shampoo (caffeine, niacin and zinc). The only difference is the formulation - Alpecin Liquid is a liquid formulated to be applied to the scalp and left on after washing and drying hair, while Alpecin Caffeine Shampoo is for washing hair.
Which Alpecin product should I use to treat hair loss?
Alpecin products can help prevent hair loss if used as part of a combined treatment in addition to Finasteride and/or minoxidil (Regaine), provided the individual consults a pharmacist or doctor before treatment.
For instance, Alpecin Caffeine Shampoo or Alpecin Double Effect can be used to shampoo the hair before applying Alpecin Liquid and/or minoxidil to the scalp to maximise the probability of treating hair loss using these products.
Nizoral Shampoo
What does Nizoral Shampoo do?
Nizoral shampoo treats and prevents dandruff. It contains the active ingredient ketoconazole, which is an antifungal medication that targets the Malassezia fungus responsible for dandruff. Ketoconazole inhibits the growth of this fungus, reducing inflammation, flaking and itching.
Is Nizoral Shampoo the best hair loss product for me?
Nizoral shampoo is an anti-dandruff product, so its use may indirectly contribute to preventing hair loss. It is recommended to speak to a pharmacist, dermatologist or GP about using Nizoral shampoo in addition to specifically formulated hair loss treatments such as finasteride or minoxidil for hair loss.
Answers to common questions about hair loss products
What’s the difference between hair growth products and hair loss products?
As their names suggest, hair growth products focus on growing hair, while hair loss products focus on preventing hair loss.
Products such as Alpecin Caffeine shampoo and Alpecin Liquid are formulated to help stimulate hair follicle growth and contribute to extending the anagen phase of hair. Therefore, they can be classified as hair growth products. In contrast, Finasteride is specifically formulated to help reduce hair shedding by addressing the underlying causes of hair loss, such as the formation of DHT.
Some products such as Regaine (minoxidil) can be classified as both a hair growth and hair loss product. This is because minoxidil not only helps extend the growth phase of hair follicles but also enlarges existing hair follicles, contributing to thicker, fuller hair over time.
What product is best for men’s hair loss treatment?
Many individuals consider Finasteride to be the best men’s hair loss treatment on the market. As we touched on earlier in this article, Finasteride is a male-only hair loss treatment that prevents the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT) in the body. DHT causes hair follicles to shrink, so the less DHT is in the body, the lower the probability of experiencing hair loss.
What product is best for female hair loss treatment?
Minoxidil (Regaine) is widely considered to be one of the best products for female hair loss treatment and can be used in addition to products that focus on hair growth, such as Alpecin Caffeine shampoo. It is important to note that women should not use finasteride to treat hair loss as it is a male-only hair loss treatment.
What is the best product for frontal hair loss?
There is no specific product for frontal hair loss, however, minoxidil (Regaine) may help reduce frontal hair loss and promote hair regrowth in this area if it is consistently applied to the front of the scalp over an extended period.
What products can be useful for menopausal hair loss treatment?
Regaine for Women (both the solution and the foam version) can help women seeking menopausal hair loss treatment. For optimal results, consider using Regaine for Women alongside the intake of certain vitamin supplements that can contribute to hair growth such as vitamin D.
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- Salisbury & Tadi. (2023). 5-Alpha-Reductase Inhibitors. StatPearls. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK555930/. [Accessed: 19 April 2024].
- Gupta et al. (2022). Finasteride for hair loss: a review. Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 33(4), pp. 1938-1946. doi: https://doi.org/10.1080/09546634.2021.1959506.
- Fischer et al. (2014). Differential effects of caffeine on hair shaft elongation, matrix and outer root sheath keratinocyte proliferation, and transforming growth factor‐β2/insulin‐like growth factor‐1‐mediated regulation of the hair cycle in male and female human hair follicles in vitro. British Journal of Dermatology, 171(5), pp. 1031-1043. doi: https://doi.org/10.1111/bjd.13114.
- Draelos et al. (2005). A pilot study evaluating the efficacy of topically applied niacin derivatives for treatment of female pattern alopecia. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 4(4), pp. 258-261. doi: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1473-2165.2005.00201.x.
- Davis et al. (2021). Scalp application of the antioxidant piroctone olamine reduces hair shedding in an 8-week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical study. International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 43(1), S26-S33. doi: https://doi.org/10.1111/ics.12737.