Do Hair Loss and Baldness Treatments Really Work?

Answer:

If you’re seeing more of your balding scalp every morning in the bathroom mirror — and more of your hair on your hairbrush — treatments can help. But they may not be as simple or foolproof as you want.

If your hair loss doesn’t have a specific cause — like illness — you could try medicine. Over-the-counter Rogaine is applied to the scalp. Prescription Propecia is taken as a pill. In some men, they can thicken hair, prevent future hair loss, and cause new hair growth. But don’t expect a miracle. They work slowly. In some men, they don’t work at all. You also have to take them for the long haul. If you ever stop, your hairline will retreat to where it was.

While other supplements or herbal remedies may be advertised as baldness cures, there’s no proof that any of them work.

The alternative is surgery, ranging from transplants to more aggressive procedures. But these methods can be expensive and, like any operation, they do pose some risks.