What are proven ways to grow hair?
Executive summary
Evidence-based, widely used treatments for hair loss in 2025 center on topical minoxidil and oral anti-androgens (finasteride/dutasteride), plus surgical hair transplantation (FUE) and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) as complementary options [1] [2] [3]. Emerging laboratory and biotech approaches — exosomes, stem cells, peptides and AI-designed injectables — show promise but remain at varying stages of clinical validation, often tested in animals or early human studies [4] [5] [6].
1. Minoxidil and the “gold standard” topical
Minoxidil — sold as Rogaine/Regaine — is repeatedly described by clinicians and journalists as one of the few topical agents with consistent clinical proof to stimulate scalp hair growth in adults; it remains a front-line, over‑the‑counter recommendation for many types of hair thinning [2] [7] [8]. Multiple consumer and editorial outlets continue to single out FDA‑approved minoxidil formulations as effective for improving hair density, though long‑term, continuous use is typically required for sustained benefit [7] [8].
2. Oral anti‑androgens: finasteride and dutasteride
Prescription medications that block DHT — chiefly finasteride and dutasteride — are cited as clinically proven to slow male-pattern hair loss and stimulate regrowth by targeting the hormone that drives follicle miniaturization [1]. Clinic and industry overviews recommend pairing these systemic agents with other therapies in men with androgenetic alopecia, noting they are among the best‑validated pharmacologic options [1].
3. Surgical restoration: FUE hair transplantation
For advanced or permanent baldness, follicular unit extraction (FUE) hair transplantation is presented as the most definitive solution: it relocates individual follicles to balding areas and produces natural‑looking, durable results when performed by experts [3] [9]. Clinics advertise scar‑minimizing techniques and shorter recovery times; outcomes depend heavily on surgeon skill, donor supply and realistic patient expectations [3] [9].
4. PRP, LLLT and adjunctive in‑clinic therapies
Platelet‑rich plasma (PRP) is widely described as a regenerative adjunct that concentrates a patient’s platelets and growth factors for scalp injection, with reported improvements in follicular activity, density and slowing of further loss [1] [3]. Low‑level laser therapy (LLLT) and certain topical serums are also recommended by clinics and practitioners as complementary measures to “fortify follicles,” though the strength of evidence varies by device and protocol [9].
5. Supplements, ingredients and consumer products—what’s proven
Nutritional support (iron, vitamin D, biotin when deficient, omega‑3s) and multi‑ingredient supplements are commonly marketed to improve scalp health and hair strength; reviewers and clinicians point to some ingredients — like pea sprout extract (AnaGain), Redensyl and saw palmetto blends — as having emerging clinical data but not yet displacing minoxidil or prescription drugs as first‑line proven therapies [10] [11] [12]. Journalists caution that many retail products lack robust, peer‑reviewed trials and that marketing can outpace science [2] [10].
6. Emerging biotech: exosomes, stem cells, peptides and AI drugs
The field is advancing fast: exosome therapies, stem‑cell approaches, telomerase activators and novel peptides are in development and early rollout in 2024–2025, and AI‑designed molecules such as the injectable ABS‑201 have produced striking preclinical or early clinical signals — including rapid regrowth in animal models and impending clinical trials — but remain investigational [4] [5] [6]. Industry pieces and specialty blogs trumpet these advances while also noting they are not yet standard of care and need larger human trials [5] [6].
7. What the evidence does not say — and practical advice
Available sources consistently emphasize that many touted “miracle” ingredients lack large randomized trials and that hair growth depends on the underlying cause (androgenetic alopecia vs. telogen effluvium vs. scarring alopecia), which determines which treatment will be effective; sources stress seeing a clinician for diagnosis and combining proven options where appropriate [2] [9]. Sources do not provide a single universal cure applicable to all types of hair loss — not found in current reporting [2] [9].
8. Conflicting incentives and marketing to watch
Commercial clinics and product sites promote proprietary blends, AI diagnosis tools and paid procedures — often coupling proven therapies (minoxidil, FUE, PRP) with newer, less‑validated offerings — creating potential conflicts of interest between selling services and presenting unbiased evidence [13] [3] [9]. Independent journalism and dermatology experts in mainstream outlets serve as counterweights, emphasizing what is proven versus experimental [2] [7].
Bottom line: Use proven, evidence‑backed treatments first — topical minoxidil, prescription anti‑androgens for appropriate patients, and surgical FUE when indicated — add validated adjuncts like PRP or LLLT as advised by a clinician, and treat emerging biotech as promising but still investigational until larger human trials are published [2] [1] [3] [9].