What can i do for my hair falling out
Executive summary
Treat hair falling out by first diagnosing the cause—only then choose among evidence-backed options that include topical minoxidil, oral anti-androgens for male-pattern loss, therapies for autoimmune alopecia, clinical procedures like PRP and transplants, and emerging regenerative approaches; most require months of consistent use and sometimes combination therapy to stabilize and regrow hair [1] [2] [3]. Beware unproven clinic offerings and aggressive marketing; consult a clinician or telehealth service to match treatment to cause, health history, and budget [4] [5].
1. Start with a diagnosis, not a product
The first practical step is to identify why hair is shedding—genetic pattern loss, autoimmune alopecia areata, hormonal changes, medical conditions or medications—and that usually means at least a clinical history and sometimes bloodwork or a scalp exam before launching a regimen (the reporting emphasizes matching treatment to the cause and consulting a professional) [4] [5].
2. Use proven first-line medicines to stop progression
For many people the evidence-backed starting points are topical minoxidil and, for men with androgenetic alopecia, oral 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors such as finasteride (or dutasteride in some practices); these drugs have long clinical data showing slowed loss and potential regrowth when taken consistently, but benefits take months and must be maintained or gains reverse [1] [2] [6].
3. Match the drug to the pattern: autoimmune and female options
When hair loss is autoimmune (alopecia areata), JAK inhibitors have emerged as an effective option in trials, while newer topicals such as clascoterone are positioned as promising targeted options for androgen-driven loss in women; neither is a universal cure and specialist supervision matters because safety profiles differ [2] [4] [7].
4. Consider in-office procedures and combination plans
For early-to-moderate thinning, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections and combination approaches (medication + PRP + transplant where appropriate) are commonly recommended to stabilize and improve thickness; surgical transplants provide permanent coverage by redistributing follicles and are best used when loss is stable and donor supply sufficient [3] [8].
5. Watch the frontier: exosomes, stem cells and hair cloning—promise but not panacea
Regenerative techniques—lab-grown exosomes, stem-cell signaling therapies, and hair cloning—are advancing rapidly and may restore follicle function for some patients, but many remain emergent, partially regulated, or not yet widely available as standardized clinical treatments; the excitement is real but the evidence base and regulation lag in places, raising the risk of unproven interventions at private clinics [9] [10].
6. Over-the-counter supports, supplements and realistic expectations
OTC options and supplements (for example, topical serums and multinutrient formulas) can complement core treatments—brands and products vary in quality and reviewers favor minoxidil as the single FDA‑approved topical with robust data—but supplements and cosmetic tonics are rarely replacements for prescription therapies when true follicle escape is underway [1] [11] [5]. All treatments are slow: expect months to assess effect, plan for long-term maintenance, and include mental-health support if hair loss is affecting wellbeing [1] [5].
7. Practical next steps and caveats
Pragmatically, seek a dermatology consult in person or via telehealth to confirm cause and discuss minoxidil, and if applicable finasteride or other prescriptions; ask about combination strategies (meds + PRP/transplant) for better outcomes and be skeptical of clinics promising overnight miracles or unregulated stem-cell cures—experts caution marketing often outpaces science [5] [3] [4]. When new drugs are reported as breakthroughs, note that regulatory review and longer-term safety follow‑up are often still underway before widespread use [12] [4].