Conventional Treatment Options for Men with Androgenetic Hair Loss

Since common male balding is primarily linked to androgen activity, substances that inhibit these hormones would seem a logical choice to stave off baldness. Clinical and case studies have shown some success with these substances:^{(89, 324, 325)}

• Systemic anti-androgen drugs which block the enzyme that converts testosterone to DHT⁽⁸⁹⁾
• Topical hair growth promoting drugs^{(89, 326-328)}
• Low level laser therapy (such as HairMax LaserComb® laser phototherapy)^(324, 325)
• Herbal treatments (both topical and systemic) that inhibit androgens⁽⁸⁹⁾
• Traditional Chinese Medicine treatment options⁽⁸⁹⁾
• Ayurveda herbal treatments⁽⁸⁹⁾
• Medicated shampoos⁽⁸⁹⁾
• Topical adenosine, a neurotransmitter^(329, 330)
• Botulinum toxin scalp injections⁽³³¹⁾
• JetPeel with topical minoxidil⁽³³²⁾
• Platelet-rich plasma (PRP), by itself and combined with topical or oral drugs^(333, 334)
• Stem cell injections that regenerate hair follicles⁽³³⁵⁾
• Surgical hair transplant⁽¹⁹²⁾

A recent systematic review and analysis of randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trials through 2016 found that the following treatments have proven to regrow hair:⁽³³⁶⁾

• Low-level laser light therapy (phototherapy)
• 2% or 5% minoxidil
• Oral finasteride (1 mg/day)

A comparative meta-analysis of clinical research suggests that low-level light therapy is superior to other non-surgical treatment options.⁽³³⁷⁾

And of course there are herbs and nutritional supplements that in general help keep hair healthy and promote hair growth. However, as with most conditions, there are certain drugs, herbs, and nutrients that should be avoided because they exert hormonal effects which might exacerbate male androgenetic hair loss.