The only 4 things that can actually prevent hair loss

Some products talk a big game, but when it comes down to it, they cannot back it up

Dennis Green

Business Insider

Monday 18 April 2016 16:58 BST

Comments

There are only four real ways to slow down or prevent hair loss (and only one way to really regrow hair)

Your support helps us to tell the story

Support Now

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

There's a lot of noise out there when it comes to preventative measures for hair loss.

Some products talk a big game, but when it comes down to it, they cannot back it up. In fact, according to hair restoration specialist Dr. William Yates of Dr. Yates Hair Science, there are only four real ways to slow down or prevent hair loss (and only one way to really regrow hair).

Propecia, or: Finasteride A prescription pill that can prevent hair loss by blocking the balding hormone.

Rogaine, or Minoxidil: A topical application of liquid or a foam that's used to thicken the hair and slow its shedding.

Laser light treatment: A red light is used to stimulate growth in the hair follicle, reducing inflammation and keeping it healthy.

PRP (platelet-rich plasma) injections: Take a bit of your blood, which is then enriched with platelets, and re-injected into you at the scalp. According to Dr. Yates, "that goes to the hair follicle to keep it from shedding and stimulates growth."

"If you turn on the TV or look in a magazine, there are a bazillion products out there that will supposedly grow your hair," Dr. Yates told Business Insider. "But the fact remains those are probably the only four things that I know of that have some scientific basis."

He also advises not to put much faith in vitamin supplements like Biotin purport to solve that hair loss cause.

"If you live in the United States, there's hardly anyone that's really vitamin deficient enough to lose hair," Dr. Yates told us. "Will they help you? Probably not. Will they hurt you? Probably not, so it's a wash."

"I don't put too much faith in those things."

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies