5 science-backed hair loss treatments that could actually work

Both men and women can lose their hair — and there are many ways to treat it. Here’s what you may want to know about them.

If you’re losing your hair, you might feel like it’s only happening to you. But an estimated 80 million men and women in the U.S. deal with baldness (androgenetic alopecia). That’s according to the American Academy of Family Physicians. Going bald is the most common type of hair loss.

For many, hair loss can be difficult emotionally. You might feel embarrassed to be seen in public. Or you might feel like you need to hide it from others. You might even assume that there’s no treatment for hair loss.

The good news is there are some hair regrowth treatments available — many of which are backed by science and actually work. Here’s what to know about hair loss and what you can do about it.

Through telehealth membership, you can connect with dermatologists virtually — in the privacy of your own home — to discuss hair loss. Learn more today.

What can cause hair loss?

Your hair can fall out or thin for a number of different reasons. Here are some of the most common ones:

Age. As you get older, your hair stops growing as fast as it used to.
Alopecia areata. That’s a type of disease that develops when the body’s immune system attacks hair follicles, causing hair loss.
Cancer treatment. Someone who receives chemotherapy or radiation to their head or neck for cancer treatment may lose all or some of their hair in the first few weeks of treatment. (Their hair can also start regrowing in the months following treatment.)
Childbirth. It’s often caused by hormonal changes after a pregnancy.
Hair care. If you use dye or perm your hair often, over time it can damage your hair and lead to hair loss.
Hormonal imbalance. Hair loss could be the result of stopping certain types of birth control pills.
Medication. Some types of prescription drugs can lead to hair loss.
Runs in your family. Yep, hair loss can happen because of your genes.
Scalp psoriasis. That’s a type of skin condition where itchy, scaly and sometimes painful red patches can appear on the scalp.
Sexually transmitted infections
Stress (see below)

If you’re losing your hair or it’s thinning, it might be a good time to talk to your doctor or dermatologist. (That’s a type of doctor that specializes in skin, hair and nail conditions.) They can help you figure out why you’re losing your hair and what you can do about it.

How can your doctor diagnose hair loss?

Let’s say your hair is thinning a bit, so you decide to book an appointment with your primary care doctor. Typically, they’ll give you a physical exam and ask you questions about:

What you’re eating
Your family history
Your hair care routine

Your doctor may then do the following tests:

Blood test. This can help them find medical conditions that may be causing hair loss.
Light microscopy. They’ll use a special tool to check the base of your hair and what might be wrong with its shaft.
Pull test. They might gently tug on some of your hair to see how easily it comes out.
Scalp biopsy. They might scrape some skin from your scalp (or from hairs taken from the head) to examine the hairs’ roots. They’ll be looking for signs of infection.

Losing your hair and want to talk to a provider from the privacy of your home? Enter your zip code to find the virtual care membership options available in your area.

5 science-backed hair loss treatments

How your doctor treats hair loss depends on how you’re losing it. Here are some science-backed hair loss treatments that are available:

1. Medications. There are both over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription drugs available to treat male or female pattern hair loss. Some of the most common ones include:

Antiandrogens. This is a type of prescription medication that blocks androgens or sex hormones that may damage or destroy hair follicles. It may stop female pattern baldness. They’ll usually begin working after 4 months.
Antifungal meds. If the cause of a person’s hair loss is a fungal infection on the scalp, a dermatologist may prescribe a daily pill to help knock it out. It can take 1 to 2 months to see results, and treatment can last for several months.
Corticosteroids. These are meant to treat hair loss caused by autoimmune diseases. These are diseases that happen when the body’s immune system attacks healthy tissue by mistake. They’re available as topical solutions or shots. Treatments can happen every 4 to 6 weeks, and people may see their hair start to grow back in 1 to 2 months.
Finasteride. This is a prescription pill meant to be taken only by men. It’s meant to slow the loss of hair, and some men can even see it help regrow new hair. It can take 1–2 months for results to be visible — and it may not be effective for men over the age of 60.
Minoxidil. You can buy this OTC medication as a liquid, foam or shampoo. Women will want to put it on the scalp once a day, while men will want to do so twice. It can help regrow hair and slow the rate of hair loss. But it’s important to know that it could take at least 6 months for those things to happen. And it may not work for everyone.

2. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy. This is a newer type of treatment that is produced from a person’s blood. A doctor will then inject it back into a person. For some people, it can be an effective way to treat male pattern baldness. It can both help stimulate hair growth and prevent hair loss. It can also help with regrowth after a hair transplant (see below).

3. Hair transplant surgery. This is a type of surgery that’s meant to use the hair you have left on your head. During the procedure, a dermatologist will take hair from a part of the head where the hair is still growing. They’ll transplant it to the bald area. You won’t need to have a hospital stay to do it, but it can be painful, so your doctor will sedate you before it. It may require more than one procedure to be effective.

4. Low-level laser therapy (LLLT). You might also see this called photo-biomodulation therapy, cold laser therapy or red light therapy. It’s meant to treat both male and female pattern baldness. It uses low-level lasers or light-emitting diodes (LEDs) to stimulate the hair follicles. That helps hair grow. The light energy is thought to increase blood flow and cellular activity in the scalp.

Some small studies have shown that it may improve hair density. But more research must be done to show its long-term effects.

5. Live a healthier life. There’s a lot you can do at home to help with hair loss. For example:

Try to manage your stress. Since stress can lead to hair loss, one way to help reverse it is by better managing your stress. That could be through meditation or hitting the gym. Lowering your stress will help your body get back to normal. You could see hair starting to regrow back to its normal appearance in 6 to 9 months.
Eat healthier. A balanced diet rich in essential nutrients is important for keeping hair healthy. Foods high in protein, vitamin B, vitamin D and zinc — plus iron and omega-3 fatty acids — can support hair growth.
Quit smoking. Smoking can cause inflammation throughout your body. That can make hair loss worse.

Does my insurance plan cover hair loss treatments?

Typically, health insurance plans don’t cover hair loss treatments. But that doesn’t mean you’re completely out of luck.

For example, you could buy a non-insurance product like a telehealth membership. By paying a monthly fee, you’ll have virtual access to board-certified dermatologists. They can help treat skin conditions — and may be able to provide tips on treating hair loss.

You can also talk to mental health therapists through the membership. They can help you better manage your stress. Cutting back on stress can help you better manage hair loss in some cases.

And finally, you can also talk to general medicine doctors through the membership. They can provide further help with a hair loss issue. For example, if a medication you’re taking is making your hair fall out, they could prescribe a different type.

For sensitive issues like hair loss, you may want to skip the waiting room. A telehealth membership can provide care for dermatology, behavioral health and general medicine. You can also call a licensed insurance agent at 1-844-211-7730 for more information.

For informational purposes only. This information is compiled by UnitedHealthcare, and/or one of its affiliates, and does not diagnose problems or recommend specific treatment. Services and medical technologies referenced herein may not be covered under your plan. Please consult directly with your primary care physician if you need medical advice.

Compliance Code:
52348-X-0625

Sources:

American Academy of Dermatology Association. “Hair loss: Who gets and causes.” Retrieved from https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/hair-loss/causes/18-causes Accessed April 24, 2025.

American Academy of Family Physicians. “Treatment of hair loss with minoxidil.” December 16, 2024. Retrieved from https://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/afp-community-blog/entry/treatment-of-hair-loss-with-minoxidil.html

International Journal of Medical Sciences. “Status of research on the development and regeneration of hair follicles.” January 2024. Retrieved from https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10750333/

Johns Hopkins Medicine. “Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections.” Retrieved from https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/treatment-tests-and-therapies/plateletrich-plasma-prp-treatment Accessed April 24, 2025.

Mayo Clinic. “Hair loss.” January 19, 2024. Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hair-loss/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20372932

NYU Langone Health. “Medication for hair loss.” Retrieved from https://nyulangone.org/conditions/hair-loss/treatments/medication-for-hair-loss Accessed April 24, 2025.