London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Friday, Jul 11, 2025

8 Ways to Stop Hair Loss In Its Tracks

8 Ways to Stop Hair Loss In Its Tracks

Dermatologist-approved strategies that slow hair shedding.

Hair loss is a common concern for many guys, and estimates show that roughly two-thirds of men will start experiencing it by their mid-30s. While some men go all in and embrace the change by shaving it all off-this is the era of the power balds, after all-others may seek out treatments to slow hair loss.

There are plenty of companies out there trying to sell you products to help you keep your hair. But does anything actually work? It depends on what you mean by "work." While there's no magic potion to help you regrow hair you've already lost, Melissa Piliang, M.D., a hair-loss expert at Cleveland Clinic, says there are a number of strategies and products that could potentially help you hold onto the hair you have.

Keep in mind that there are other reasons you might be losing hair. Stress can cause a type of temporary hair loss called telogen effluvium-in the height of pandemic stress, dermatologists saw it fairly frequently. (Find out more about this issue here.) With this, hair thins but often grows back. And there's an autoimmune condition called alopecia areata that also causes hair loss, and there are some treatments that show promise for that. If you're seeing or feeling thinning hair, try these strategies to help make it stop.

1. Minoxidil (Rogaine)


Rogaine won’t restore your lost hair, but it can help you hold on to what’s left. The FDA-approved topical medication increases blood flow and delivers more oxygen and nutrients to hair follicles.

Liquid Rogaine can cause irritation and leave a greasy coating on your hair, so opt for the 5 percent foam, advises Dr. Piliang. Rub it into your scalp in the morning and again at night for the most benefit. However, new hair growth is likely to be shorter and thinner, meaning your locks won’t be as full as they once were.

Another medication, finasteride (sold as Propecia), is an oral medication and may also help you hold onto hair. Some people prefer to start with minoxidil, which hasn't been linked with erectile dysfunction or decreased libido.

2. Nutrafol


"Nutrafol is a popular hair loss supplement that contains a proprietary blend of nutraceuticals that help hair grow thicker and fuller," says dermatologist and MH advisor Corey L. Hartman, M.D. Its vitamin and herb ingredients are intended to help reduce levels of the testosterone byproduct (dihydrotestosterone) that can cause hair to thin.

3. Lasers


Laser devices are the only other hair-loss treatment in addition to minoxidil and finasteride that have been approved by the FDA in recent years. But how well they work to keep hair loss at bay is still under question.

The devices use low levels of light and are sold as wands or helmets for $200 to nearly $900. A helmet called iGrow, for instance, costs $449 and needs to be worn for about 25 minutes every other day. In a large study published in 2014 in the American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, men who zapped their scalps three times a week saw an increase in hair density after 26 weeks.

That said, most of the research on laser devices has been paid for by the products’ manufacturers, so they’re not exactly unbiased. In fact, an independent review published in the Journal of Dermatological Treatment in 2014, determined these products are semi experimental and aren’t proven to work.

4. Ketoconazole shampoo


Swap your standard shampoo for a brand with 1 percent ketoconazole, such as Nizoral, or ask your doctor to prescribe the 2 percent version.

“It’s marketed as an anti-dandruff ingredient, but there’s solid research ketoconazole is an anti-androgen,” says Dr. Piliang. Anti-androgens block the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone, that hormone byproduct that shrinks hair follicles. Massage the shampoo into your scalp, step out of the shower stream, wait two to three minutes, and rinse.

5. Vitamin D


Some cases of hair loss have been linked to low levels of vitamin D. While every guy needs healthy vitamin D levels, this vitamin isn't generally linked to the more common form of hair loss. But there is research, Dr. Hartman explains, that suggests a lack of D can be associated with alopecia areata. "Vitamin D plays a role in stimulating hair follicles, so when levels are low, new hair growth can be stunted," he explains.

A British Journal of Dermatology study reported that people with alopecia areata were three times as likely to be D deficient as those with healthy hair. “Vitamin D helps hair reset its growth phase,” explains Dr. Piliang.

6. Corticosteroid treatments


Sometimes hair loss is caused by inflammation from medical conditions such as autoimmune disorders. In the case of alopecia, for instance, corticosteroid medications can be injected into the scalp to help stop inflammation, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. Treatments are given about once a month and help stimulate new hair growth.

7. Meditation and exercise


If you’re shedding more hair than normal or if you notice large bald patches, you may want to evaluate your stress levels. The reason? Stress essentially puts hair follicles in a resting stage, so they no longer grow—that's what happens with telogen effluvium. "Telogen effluvium typically does not lead to baldness because by definition, only the hairs in the telogen, or resting, phase are affected," explains Dr. Hartman. "Only 15 to 20 percent of the total hair is in the telogen phase at any given time, so theoretically it is not possible to go bald from telogen effluvium. However, there are exceptions to every rule and while I have never seen a case of baldness solely due to TE, there are patients that experience chronic TE that can cause more significant hair loss."

Telogen effluvium or not, it's helpful to get your stress levels down. Classic ways to manage stress include meditation and workouts.

8. Iron


An iron deficiency may be the cause of thinning hairline for some people who follow a plant-based diet, says Robert Anolik, M.D., a cosmetic dermatologist in New York City. That's because the type of iron found in animal products, like shrimp and eggs, is better absorbed in the body. People who eat iron from plants, like lentils and spinach, may need to eat more of the nutrient overall. The National Institute of Health recommends that adult males get about eight milligrams of iron per day. Generally, your hair will grow back once ir

Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Severe Heatwave Claims 2,300 Lives Across Europe
NVIDIA Achieves Historic Milestone as First Company Valued at $4 Trillion
Declining Beer Consumption Signals Cultural Shift in Germany
Linda Yaccarino Steps Down as CEO of X After Two Years
US Imposes New Tariffs on Brazilian Exports Amid Political Tensions
Azerbaijan and Armenia are on the brink of a historic peace deal.
Emails Leaked: How Passenger Luggage Became a Side Income for Airport Workers
Polish MEP: “Dear Leftists - China is laughing at you, Russia is laughing, India is laughing”
BRICS Expands Membership with Indonesia and Ten New Partner Countries
Weinstein Victim’s Lawyer Says MeToo Movement Still Strong
U.S. Enacts Sweeping Tax and Spending Legislation Amid Trade Policy Shifts
Football Mourns as Diogo Jota and Brother André Silva Laid to Rest in Portugal
Labour Expected to Withdraw Support for Special Needs Funding Model
Leaked Audio Reveals Tory Aide Defending DEI Record
Elon Musk Founds a Party Following a Poll on X: "You Wanted It – You Got It!"
London Stock Exchange Faces Historic Low in Initial Public Offerings
A new online platform has emerged in the United Kingdom, specifically targeting Muslim men seeking virgin brides
Trump Celebrates Independence Day with B-2 Flyover and Signs Controversial Legislation
Boris Johnson Urges Conservatives to Ignore Farage
SNP Ordered to Update Single-Sex Space Guidance Within Days
Starmer Set to Reject Calls for Wealth Taxes
Stolen Century-Old Rolls-Royce Recovered After Hotel Theft
Macron Presses Starmer to Recognise Palestinian State
Labour Delayed Palestine Action Ban Over Riot Concerns
Swinney’s Tax Comments ‘Offensive to Scots’, Say Tories
High Street Retailers to Enforce Bans on Serial Shoplifters
Music Banned by Henry VIII to Be Performed After 500 Years
Steve Coogan Says Working Class Is Being ‘Ethnically Cleansed’
Home Office Admits Uncertainty Over Visa Overstayer Numbers
JD Vance Questions Mandelson Over Reform Party’s Rising Popularity
Macron to Receive Windsor Carriage Ride in Royal Gesture
Labour Accused of ‘Hammering’ Scots During First Year in Power
BBC Head of Music Stood Down Amid Bob Vylan Controversy
Corbyn Eyes Hard-Left Challenge to Starmer’s Leadership
London Tube Trains Suspended After Major Fire Erupts Nearby
Richard Kemp: I Felt Safer in Israel Under Attack Than in the UK
Cyclist Says Police Cited Human Rights Act for Riding No-Handed
China’s Central Bank Consults European Peers on Low-Rate Strategies
AI Raises Alarms Over Long-Term Job Security
Saudi Arabia Maintains Ties with Iran Despite Israel Conflict
Musk Battles to Protect Tesla Amid Trump Policy Threats
Air France-KLM Acquires Majority Stake in Scandinavian Airlines
UK Educators Sound Alarm on Declining Child Literacy
Shein Fined €40 Million in France Over Misleading Discounts
Brazil’s Lula Visits Kirchner During Argentina House Arrest
Trump Scores Legislative Win as House Passes Tax Reform Bill
Keir Starmer Faces Criticism After Rocky First Year in Power
DJI Launches Heavy-Duty Coaxial Quadcopter with 80 kg Lift Capacity
U.S. Senate Approves Major Legislation Dubbed the 'Big Beautiful Bill'
Largest Healthcare Fraud Takedown in U.S. History Announced by DOJ
×