FDA-Approved Hair Growth Treatments

If you're experiencing thinning hair—or seeing family members around your age lose theirs—you might be looking into options to slow, or even reverse, hair loss.

The most common cause in men is androgenetic alopecia (male pattern baldness). In the U.S., two FDA-approved medications—finasteride (Propecia®) and minoxidil (Rogaine®)—are available, along with FDA-cleared low-level laser therapy devices. While not guaranteed for everyone, evidence shows these treatments often help slow or partially reverse hair loss. Here’s what you need to know.

FDA-Approved Options for Male Pattern Baldness

1. Finasteride (oral)

• Approved for: Male pattern baldness, benign prostatic hyperplasia
  
• Form: 1 mg daily pill
  
• How it works: Inhibits the enzyme converting testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which contributes to hair follicle shrinkage
  
• Important note: Continued use is essential—hair loss typically returns within a year if stopped
  

Topical Finasteride (not yet FDA-approved)

• Being studied as a lower-risk alternative to oral finasteride
  
• Early data suggest similar effectiveness with significantly reduced systemic absorption
  

2. Minoxidil (topical)

• Approved for: Male pattern baldness
  
• Forms: Liquid or foam applied to the scalp
  
• Mechanism: Vasodilator that boosts scalp blood flow, promoting the anagen hair-growth phase
  
• Off-label uses: Alopecia areata, chemotherapy-induced hair loss, scarring alopecia, and more
  
• Oral minoxidil is FDA-approved—but only for treating resistant high blood pressure
  

3. Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT)

• FDA-cleared since 2007
  
• Includes laser combs, helmets, and other home-use devices
  
• Believed to stimulate follicles via heat, although precise mechanisms remain under study
  
• Clinical evidence is mixed: some trials show benefits (especially when combined with other therapies), while others report no added hair growth compared to alternatives
  

Effectiveness of Approved Treatments

• Finasteride: Can cut DHT levels by ~70%. Up to 88% of users see slowed hair loss within 3 months
  
• Minoxidil: Most successful when started within 5 years of hair-loss onset—results vary
  
• LLLT: Emerging research is encouraging; combining it with finasteride or minoxidil may enhance outcomes
  

Combination Therapies

• Combining finasteride and minoxidil is more effective than using either alone
  
• Some products merge both into a single daily spray for convenience
  

Additional Hair Loss Options (Not FDA-Approved for This Use)

• Dutasteride: Similar to finasteride; may be more potent, but needs more study
  
• Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP): Uses growth-factor-rich plasma from your own blood; early results are promising
  
• Supplements (biotin, saw palmetto, rosemary oil, pumpkin seed oil): Only effective if you're nutrient deficient; otherwise, lacks solid evidence
  

Hair Transplants (FDA-Cleared Devices)

• FUT (Follicular Unit Transplant): A strip of scalp is removed and transplanted
  
• FUE (Follicular Unit Extraction): Individual follicles are harvested and implanted
  
• Excellent for covering stable, receding areas—but results depend on surgeon skill, and costs can be significant

The Takeaways

• Your safest and most scientifically supported options are finasteride and minoxidil
  
• Topical finasteride is promising but not yet FDA-approved
  
• LLLT devices are available but still under investigation
  
• For alternative causes of hair loss (e.g., autoimmune, scarring), treatments like JAK inhibitors, corticosteroids, Psoriasis meds, PRP, or transplants may be options—depending on diagnosis
  
• Always discuss with a healthcare provider to determine the most appropriate treatment path

Starting proven treatments early gives you the best chance at slowing or reversing hair loss. If you're unsure about the cause, consider a specialist consultation—even a simple online assessment could be the first step to regaining confidence in your hair.