The 7 Best Hair Loss Treatments for Men in 2026, Approved by Doctors

Overwhelmingly, all of our derms recommended 5 percent minoxidil as the best treatment for male pattern hair loss. It’s FDA-approved and clinically proven to stop shedding and help regrow hair. Rogaine, the original minoxidil treatment, remains the go-to, especially because it’s widely available at most drug stores.

Pick up the foam, says Dr. Kash, because it’s easier to control and less likely to drip onto your face (if it does, wash it off quickly to avoid weird hair patches). Unlike the solution, the foam doesn’t contain propylene glycol, which can cause an allergic reaction for some people.

Testing Notes: We started seeing results after using Rogaine’s Minoxidil Foam for only a couple of months. We noticed regrowth along the temples and the back of the head—areas that often first begin thinning. The strict twice-daily application is inconvenient, and we didn’t love the chemical smell, but the noticeable results make those drawbacks worth it.

Deputy Editor of Commerce Christian Gollayan has been using this Rogaine foam for over four years and swears by its effectiveness, calling it a game-changer for his hair. Needing to apply the product twice a day is a common complaint with this product. However, the foam formula helps ensure even coverage and makes it easier to apply the right amount, whether you’re targeting specific areas or your entire scalp.

Gollayan says the initial shedding period can be tough, but it only lasted two weeks. That being said, he recently went two weeks without applying while traveling, and noticed his hair started to shed again, so using Rogaine really is a lifelong commitment.

Still, it’s a bit more user-friendly than a spray since sprays are harder to see as you apply them. You may also end up finding that a foam like this requires less product with each use as well, since you have a better visual for when you’ve applied enough.

Read More: Shampoos for Thinning Hair

This innovative spray acts as a two-in-one product because it contains ingredients like capixyl and acetyl tetrapeptide‑3 that block DHT (which causes male pattern hair loss), and it acts as a styling product to add volume and texture to your hair. Add in scalp-healthy ingredients, like caffeine and biotin, to help balance and stimulate hair follicles, and you have an all-around great hair thinning product. Plus, it’s portable.

Testing Notes: Okay, yes, this stuff does help to retain and regrow hair (we did see some visible improvement even after about a month). But what we found we liked best in our testing versus other similar hairsprays is that it feels best in your hair. In fact, it can help instantly add volume and texture the way a styling spray can, which allows it to pull double duty in your routine.

You’ll still need to make sure you get it down to the scalp, which can take some massaging, but its ability to replace a styling product, too, makes it worthwhile. The small size is also easier to take on the go than other products, which is always a plus.

Keep in mind that this one also doesn’t include any FDA-approved hair loss drugs, like minoxidil or finasteride, though it does contain some alternate ingredients, like saw palmetto, that have been shown to stimulate hair growth. We saw some visible improvement in thickness and volume in our hair even as early as a month, but the cumulative results over time were not as significant as when we used some other minoxidil-led products like the Rogaine or HIMS foams.

We recommend this spray for those in the early stages of hair loss or anyone hesitant to start a drug like minoxidil. Its gentle formula makes it a good option for mild thinning rather than more advanced hair loss.

This soothing scalp serum not only helps to balance your scalp, control itch, and limit irritation thanks to ingredients like bamboo extract and aloe vera, but it also contains apple stem cells, which may help to extend the growth phase of hair follicles to reduce shedding and slow thinning, according to some studies. Rather than corrective, think of it as more of a preventative or maintenance step against hair loss. It likely won’t regrow hair, but it can help you keep the hair you have.

Testing Notes: Even if you’re not experiencing active hair loss, we found that this scalp treatment can help balance your scalp, reduce oiliness, prevent dryness, and help it feel healthier overall (and by extension, your hair, too). The serum is thin and spreads easily, and we found that the dropper is handy to help get the serum directly onto your scalp, no matter how much hair you have.

The directions say to apply one to two pipettes, but we found that around three is best for complete coverage (maybe we just have large heads), which would lower the amount of time the products last. Apply it on clean hair right after the shower for best results and while the brand advises to use it as needed, we found that every day is ideal for best results.

This serum does not contain any FDA-approved hair loss drugs. Because of that, you may not see similar results in terms of active hair growth. In fact, in our months of using it, we didn’t notice as much new growth as products like Rogaine, but we did find our existing hair to be stronger and healthier looking—and we noticed less hair in our shower drain, meaning we were shedding less.

Compared to other products on this list, we’d recommend this one more for prevention and for those who are just beginning to notice some thinning, but not those whose loss has already progressed to bald spots.

If you’re starting to notice hair thinning, this shampoo is the most effective shampoo we’ve tested. Formulated specifically for those genetically predisposed to hair loss, it targets the root cause: DHT, the hormone most closely linked to male pattern baldness. The shampoo includes a powerful mix of DHT blockers like caffeine, biotin, amino acids, and antioxidants to help slow thinning and support hair health.

Testing Notes: Unlike some hair loss shampoos that can feel harsh or drying, Revita impressed us with how soft and healthy it left our hair. Ingredients like wheat protein boost the appearance of fullness, while glycerin—a natural humectant—helps keep strands hydrated and strong. While this shampoo won’t regrow hair, it does help existing hair look noticeably thicker and healthier, which we began seeing after just a few weeks of use.

Out of all the shampoos we tested for hair loss, Revita delivered the most visible improvement in both volume and texture. It’s effective without being irritating, and feels more like a premium daily shampoo than a medicated treatment. That’s part of why we think it’s such a solid choice, especially for anyone looking to take early action against thinning without jumping straight to prescription treatments or topicals.

Read More: Best Hair Thickening Shampoos

There are a lot of LED systems and laser hair growth devices out there, but Dr. Kash recommends a helmet because it’s way easier to use than other devices, like combs. The iRestore Laser Therapy Hair Growth System stands out for its hybrid use of both laser diodes and LEDs—offering the precision and power of lasers with the gentler, broader coverage of LEDs. It’s designed to stimulate blood flow and reduce scalp inflammation, two key factors that support healthier, thicker hair growth.

Versus handheld options that use similar technology, iRestore is much easier to use—you just put it on, press a button, and let the red light therapy do the work. Unlike topical treatments, it’s mess-free and requires no prep or cleanup. Plus, iRestore offers a six-month money-back guarantee, giving users a risk-free trial period to assess results.

Testing Notes: The iRestore helmet quickly became a favorite among our testers. Once we got past the slightly awkward look of wearing it, we appreciated how low-maintenance it was. With no topical application needed and no known side effects, it felt effortless to integrate into our routine. After three months of consistent use, we noticed improved hair density and subtle regrowth, especially around the hairline.

Overall, this is a great option for anyone noticing hair thinning—whether mild or more advanced. It also pairs well with treatments like minoxidil for those looking to boost their results. The 25-minute sessions are longer than similar options; however, you only need to do them every other day rather than daily.

Dr. Bailey says that this mask addresses internal hair loss factors like stress, hormones, and inflammation. It does this by exfoliating the scalp and eliminating oil buildup with AHA fruit acids and jojoba esters, which improves blood circulation to promote healthier hair overall.

More than anything, this helps support the efficiency of other topical treatments, like the Rogaine or HIMS minoxidil foams, as buildup can often block the product’s direct access to the scalp that it needs to be most effective.

Testing Notes: To be clear, this mask will not help you regrow much hair on its own. But as the Robin to your more intensive product’s Batman, it gives great support. We appreciated that there were no artificial fragrances or parabens that aggravate scalps, given that hair growth products can often leave skin extra sensitive.

The mask is easier to use, features exfoliating granules, and leaves hair with a cooling, fresh feeling. As a bonus, it also helped eliminate lingering dandruff by reducing scalp dryness, a common side effect of product and oil buildup.

This HIMS topical treatment is very similar to our best-tested Rogaine foam. Both are foams that feature five percent minoxidil and come in three-month supplies on Amazon for around $50, which is a good deal either way when it comes to hair loss products that tend to be on the higher end of costs.

Both are unscented and easy to use, as long as you strictly stick to the twice-a-day application. The only major difference in the products is that Rogaine contains glycerin and other emollients that help soothe scalps, making it better for sensitive domes.

That being said, if you’re new to this type of treatment or want a safety net for when you’re using the product, HIMS offers ongoing messaging and virtual check-ins with staff dermatologists, helping with adherence and any concerns over time, when you sign up for the subscription on the brand’s website.

Testing Notes: Given its similar formula, this is the only OTC treatment that we found matches Rogaine in effectiveness. However, some testers with sensitive scalps did find HIMS more irritating than Rogaine, likely due to the lack of glycerin and emollients in its foam.

Still, losing your hair is scary, and starting treatment can be overwhelming, so we found the ongoing dialogue with the brand’s professionals to be helpful in quelling fears. Not to mention, answering any questions that came up along the way.

What Causes Hair Loss in Men?

Before you can treat hair loss, you have to know what’s causing it. Overwhelmingly, the most common type of hair loss in men is androgenetic alopecia, also known as Male Pattern Hair Loss (MPHL), and is primarily driven by genetics and hormones, says Dr. Kash. MPHL happens when a hormone called dihydrotestosterone (DHT) causes the life cycle of your hair to shorten, leading to increased shedding and loss.

There is also increasing evidence that factors like inflammation and oxidative stress can contribute to MPHL, according to Dr. Kash. Identifying MPHL is relatively simple—hair loss is typically concentrated in certain parts of the scalp, like the hairline, top of the head, and the crown, she says, whereas hair on the lower part of the scalp and around your ears is usually less affected.

There are other forms of hair loss to complicate things, of course. Telogen effluvium is hair loss caused by high stress, surgeries, or other internal issues like thyroid problems or vitamin D deficiency. There’s also alopecia areata, which results from the immune system mistakenly attacking the hair follicles, causing smooth circles of hair loss on the scalp and sometimes beard, says dermatologist Dr. Barry Goldman, MD.

These and other types of hair loss are harder to treat, and if you aren’t sure what’s causing your thinning, it’s best to consult a dermatologist who can help identify it and formulate the best treatment plan with you. This will involve determining the type of hair loss you’re actually experiencing. These are the most common:

• Telogen Effluvium: This hair loss type is triggered by illness, drugs, hormonal changes, or stress, and speeds up the shedding phase of the hair-growth cycle, which can cause the appearance of hair thinning on your scalp.
• Androgenetic Alopecia: AKA male-pattern hair loss, it’s the most common form of hair loss and is usually genetically inherited. This appears as a receding hairline and thinning on the crown.
• Alopecia Areata: This type of hair loss happens when your immune system attacks hair follicles, and usually shows up as circular hair loss on your head and hair loss around beards and eyebrows.
• Anagen Effluvium: The experts we spoke with say this is a rapid form of hair loss caused by bodily stressors, medications, and chemotherapy.

Do Hair Loss Products Work?

That’s the million-dollar question, isn’t it? The fact of the matter is, not all of them do. All our experts recommend focusing on tried and true, FDA-approved ingredients minoxidil and finasteride, both of which have been shown through years of study to help control MPHL. That’s not to say that other treatments, like supplements, natural remedies, and gadgets, won’t work at all; it’s just that the science supporting them isn’t as robust.

There is also something to be said about a multi-pronged approach, like using minoxidil and a supplement. “The more ways you can act on the pathways contributing to hair loss, the better, and I often see patients on multiple types of therapy have better results,” says Dr. Kash. But if you’re using something and your hair loss isn’t getting better or getting worse, head to the dermatologist for an evaluation.

Follow the Directions

It should go without saying, but if you’re going to use a product, make sure you’re using it correctly. Before applying anything to your head, make sure you know how much to put on, how and when to apply it (and how often), and how long to leave it on your hair or if you need to wash it out. It’s safe to say you definitely won’t see any difference if you’re not using a product correctly, no matter what it is.

Consider Your Hair Type and Texture

The good news is that there isn’t a difference in efficacy between patients with fine or textured hair, says Dr. Goldman, adding the caveat that more research needs to be done. And while medications like minoxidil will work on all hair types, how you use it may differ. The biggest rule of thumb, according to Dr. Kash, is to make sure you apply the products to the scalp where the hair follicles are and not only on the hair shaft itself.

Additionally, if you have fine hair, apply the product at night, let it dry overnight, and then brush it through, she says. Applying it in the morning may weigh down fine hair and make it look greasy. On the flip side, if you have textured hair, make sure to really massage it into your scalp, since some products like minoxidil can leave textured hair dry.

Stick With the Process

The biggest thing to keep in mind when using hair loss treatments is to be patient. You can have increased shedding for up to six weeks after starting minoxidil, says Dr. Kash. That shedding is temporary. If it doesn’t stop, see a dermatologist. Additionally, it often takes three months to start to see an improvement and six months for significant change, she says. If you give up before then, you likely won’t see any improvement at all. The one exception: if you notice any redness, itching, swelling, or irritation, stop using it and head to your dermatologist.

Meet The Experts

• Dr. Natalie Kash, MD is a board-certified dermatologist and fellowship-trained hair restoration surgeon and co-founder of Root Hair Institute in Bellevue, WA.
• Dr. Barry Goldman, MD is a board-certified dermatologist in New York City. He is a Fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology and a clinical assistant professor at New York University Medical Center.
• Dr. Knox Beasley, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist with HIMS.