There is no shortage of options when it comes to hair loss treatments. In fact, the problem is now on choosing which is the best and most efficient out of all of them. But fret not, because we’ve made a collective list of the most renowned and efficient hair regrowth and hair loss solutions in the current market and how effective they are in doing their purpose.

The Big Four: (PRP), (LLLT), & Finasteride

The results of a 2020 evaluation were aimed at determining the best and worst treatments for hair loss. A.K. Gupta, a professor at the University of Toronto, was in charge of the study. All Randomized Clinical Trials (RCTs) of AGA monotherapies were analyzed in the study. They omitted studies that used combination therapies and only included papers reporting hair counts.

These were the average number of new hairs per square centimeter that each therapy had in comparison to the placebo group (from worst to best):

Bimatoprost (Lumigan): 4.7

Minoxidil 2%: 8.1

Minoxidil 5%: 14.9

Finasteride 1mg: 15.9

Dutasteride 0.5mg: 17.6

Low-Level Light Therapy (LLLT): 20.7

Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) 33.6

According to the authors, more research is needed to establish the apparent superiority of newer treatments like LLLT and PRP. Particularly troubling was the lack of proof for PRP. 5 percent minoxidil was shown to be the most reliable treatment option by researchers.

Other Treatment Methods

Combination therapy was not examined in the Gupta et al. review. Studies that were not randomized controlled trials were also excluded.

This technique ensures that only high-quality research is included in the analysis. It also excludes a large number of treatments. Not only do popular monotherapies like redensyl and combo therapies like finasteride-fortified minoxidil exist.

More treatments will be added to the Gupta et al. review’s list based on their findings. Combo and low-quality evidence treatment options are also included. These extra treatments necessitate various statistical changes to match Gupta et al.’s results. These are kept to a minimum at our company.

Finasteride-Fortified Topical Minoxidil

Adding finasteride to a solution of minoxidil results in better hair regrowth than using only minoxidil alone. According to 3 percent minoxidil monotherapy, this treatment yields 9.3 and 14.2 more hairs, according to a 2020 meta-analysis. According to the statistical assumptions applied, this figure can vary greatly. We will accept the lesser figure of 9.3 hairs as a safe bet. Additional hairs/cm2 can be computed by multiplying the 10.3 hairs/cm2 derived from minoxidil 3 percent monotherapy by 19.3 new hairs/cm2 (Gupta et al.).

Minoxidil Microneedling

Recently, it has become a trend to add microneedling sessions to an otherwise typical topical minoxidil treatment. It is usually done at least once a week.

China

In two separate trials, a Chinese study team found the same results. One group was given minoxidil 5 percent, while the other was given a combination of minoxidil and microneedling.

There were 18.8 new hairs per cm2 in the 5 percent minoxidil group, compared to 38.3 new hairs per cm2 in the combo group in the first research. The 5 percent minoxidil group in the second research had 14.3 new hairs/cm2, nearly equal to Gupta et al.’s results. This is compared to the combo group’s 39.8 hairs/cm2 density. Given how close they are to Gupta et al.’s results, a change appears superfluous.

A total of 39.1 hairs were regrown in the two Chinese experiments combined. The Indian study similarly had a similar number of patients. Calculating the average number of new hairs is possible per square centimeter by combining the two Chinese and Indian research.

India

India was the first place to study this nature in 201. At a diameter of “1 cm,” it found 91.4 new hairs. An incredible 117.2 hairs/cm2 is the result of a 0.78-cm2 area. In this trial, just 5% minoxidil was used as a comparative medication. There were 28.4 new hairs/cm2 in this group. According to Gupta et al., 14.9 hairs/cm2 is 1.9 times higher than the number of 28.4. The variance may be due to discrepancies in the technique or the counted patient population. A total of 61.7 new hairs are generated if the hair count for the microneedling/minoxidil group above is adjusted by the same factor.

This is still an incredible number. Blinded dermatologists’ global assessment is in agreement with this. Microneedling had a noticeable effect on all of the patients studied. The highest possible rating was given to 36% of the samples (marked regrowth). Publicly available images show near-complete regrowth as well.

Redensyl

This is an all-natural product that is promoted as a hair-enhancing cosmetic. Redensyl’s producers have issued a paper with solely hair count statistics. There are around 17 new hairs per cm2 with Redensyl, on average. The document is not peer-reviewed and makes various dubious assumptions in the creation process.

Clascoterone (Breezula)

As previously mentioned, Clascoterone is a topical antiandrogen. An early-stage 3 study of it is underway. The next FDA-approved drug for male AGA is likely to be this one. Breezula is the name that will be given to the product. Cassiopea, the drug’s manufacturer, released a press release with the only information available on hair count. With twice-daily use, the highest regrowth is seen at 7.5 percent. Clascoterone produced 14.3 more hairs/cm2 than a placebo.

Botulinum Toxin (Botox)

Muscles in the scalp are supposed to be loosened during this procedure. Hair follicles are supposed to regenerate due to this increased blood supply. Hair counts were only reported in percentage terms in the first two investigations, not in terms of actual hair counts.

One researcher found an 18 percent increase in density, while the other found a 10 percent raise. The most recent Chinese 2020 report provides much more important information. Over a year, each patient received four injections of botox. An average of 37.7 new hairs were found in a 2 cm2 area after 12 months. 18.9 hairs/cm2 is the result of dividing this by two.

Botox Plus Finasteride

Men in the same Chinese trial received daily oral finasteride 1mg and four botox sessions. This time, the treatment lasted a whole year. A 2cm2 area has 55.9 new hairs after this period. This results in 27.9 hairs per square centimeter.

Ketoconazole Shampoo (Nizoral)

In addition to being a potent antifungal, ketoconazole is also thought to have some moderate antiandrogenic characteristics. Men with AGA frequently take Nizoral, which is marketed to treat dandruff. Stopping hair loss is seen to be a benefit. Nizoral is the most commonly used brand name.

The only study reporting hair counts after six months of usage of Nizoral compared it to the 2 percent minoxidil used in the study. If we standardize the minoxidil data to Gupta et al.’s value, we get a corrected value of 12.4 new hairs/cm2 for ketoconazole users.

Alternative Options But Without Reliable Data

Some of the AGA therapies are commonly utilized. In terms of hair/cm2 efficacy, they have no published data. The following are the most critical:

Oral Finasteride With Topical Minoxidil

Astonishingly, no studies have been done on hair counts following this combination treatment. Because of the subjective judgments, we can confidently say it is superior to the other two treatments when used alone. Nearly all guys who follow this regimen will notice some regrowth.

Saw Palmetto

Male AGA patients swear by this home remedy. There are only a few studies, and none give hair counts. Unfortunately, we could not compare it to other treatments because of this fact.

Castor Oil

Low-cost vegetable oil castor oil is a popular natural treatment for the autoimmune inflammatory disease (AGA). To make it, you need to use castor oil. Its effectiveness in male AGA has not been studied in any published studies.

RU58841

Another treatment for hair loss is widely used. RU58841 was a promising treatment for hair loss. Unfortunately, clinical trials were never completed for this product. As a research chemical, it is not approved for human use. Men with AGA mix their solutions from the raw powder they purchase.

RU58841 was the subject of two clinical trials in the early 2000s, both done by the firm that owned the rights to the drug. The results were never made public in full. This means that RU58841 can’t be compared to any other medicine.