Poll: Do Hair Replacement Products Work?

Male-pattern hair loss is widespread, and many who are affected by the issue find themselves wondering, “Do hair replacement products work?” It’s said that by the time a man turns 35 years old, there’s a 66% chance that he will experience some degree of hair loss. By the time he turns 50, that statistic increases to nearly 85%.

Hair loss can manifest as a receding hairline, thinning hair, or the occurrence of bald spots. While the issue is widely credited as being genetic, meaning there’s little way to escape the inevitable, men still find themselves searching for answers. There are hundreds of hair loss products and supplements on the market. Do any of them work?

Types of Hair Loss Products

Products and procedures to address male-pattern hair loss range from non-invasive to surgical, and men around the world have tried them all. However, not all methods are created equally. While some hair loss products may prevent, or even reverse, the effects of balding, others don’t do much at all.

Hair Loss Shampoos

There are many shampoos on the market that claim to help prevent or stop hair loss in men. They’re readily available at major retailers, specialty stores, and online marketplaces. Some sell for less than $20 a bottle, making the shampoos an attractive option to men who are looking to fight back against hair loss.

However, they’ve generally been proven not to work, and some brands have faced lawsuits and bans over their claims and advertising ploys.

Over the Counter Supplements

Like hair loss shampoos, there are countless over the counter supplements that tout the ability to treat or reverse hair loss in men. They’re available at drug stores, supermarkets, and just about anywhere that vitamins are sold. The supplements that are most commonly suggested include keratin, biotin, zinc, and iron.

While these supplements are believed to help maintain healthy hair, it’s unlikely that they can prevent hair loss or reverse it once it’s started. If you’re looking to protect the hair you have, they aren’t a bad option, though clinical research is still skeptical.

Topical Hair Loss Products

Topical scalp products containing Minoxidil are often recommended for the treatment of hair loss and thinning. But do they work? It’s been shown that the use of products containing the medication can slow down or prevent hair loss, though it’s unlikely to reverse the effects. Still, these products are among the most commonly selected among men.

Prescription Hair Loss Medication

Finasteride is a prescription medication that has been shown to slow the process of hair loss. It’s even said that some men experience regrowth after taking it for extended periods. However, it doesn’t cure the problem. Once you stop taking the medication, it stops working, and your hair loss will return.

Hair Transplants

Some men take the most extreme route when addressing hair loss. Hair transplants are a surgical procedure where the hair is taken from parts of the scalp that have not yet experienced loss, and then re-grafted to areas of baldness. It’s been said that the procedure works for some men, and not for others.

Have Hair Replacement Products Worked for You?

The clinical jury seems to be out on whether or not hair replacement products work, and if they do at what rate or for how long. We’re interested in your experience. Have you used a hair replacement product? Did you see results?