Emerging Treatments Offer Hope in Fight Against Hair Loss, But Success varies
Sรฃo Paulo, Brazil โ- November 16, 2025 – Millions grapple wiht hair loss, a condition often linked to genetics but increasingly addressed with a growing arsenal of medical and cosmeticโข interventions.While a worldwide cure remains elusive, dermatologists are finding success with specific treatments tailored to different types of hair loss, though patient outcomes vary significantly. Understanding the underlying cause of hair loss is crucial, as treatments effective for one type may beโ useless for another.
Hair loss manifests in several forms. Androgenetic alopecia, commonly known as male or female pattern baldness, is theโ most prevalent, affecting both sexes and characterized by a gradual โthinning of hair. โAlopecia areata is an autoimmune condition causingโฃ patchy hair loss,while telogen effluvium results fromโ stress or physiological changes,leading to widespread โshedding. “In the simplestโฃ terms, the hair follicles on the scalp are eitherโข intact – and hair can grow back – or they have โขbeen destroyed,” explains Antonella Tosti,โ a professor of dermatology at the Universityโฃ of Miami. โ
For androgenetic alopecia, medications like finasteride, traditionally used for men, are increasingly being prescribed off-label for women, though โwith less โคextensive study, according to Dr.Goh. โ Finasteride can causeโค sexual side effects, but dermatologists like Lipnerโฃ note that the benefits can โขoutweighโ the risks for some patients. Another option, spironolactone, an antiandrogen โคmedication, โคis also used off-label for younger women, Dr. Goh adds.
Beyond medication, โdermatologistsโฃ are employing complementary procedures to boost effectiveness. These include platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections and โlow-frequency red โฃlight therapy, as highlighted by Mirmirani. Though, these treatments typically require six months to a year to demonstrate โคresults.
When hair follicles โare irreparably โdamaged, a hair transplant – moving follicles from โone scalp area to another – โคmay be the only solution. โLipner cautions, “But keep in mind thatโฃ hair transplants aren’t simple either,” โand require ongoing medication to maintain results.
Despite the proliferation of products promising hair regrowth, some treatments lack robust scientific backing. Biotin supplements, frequently marketed for healthy hair, have shown little evidence of effectiveness unless a patient has a rare โbiotin โdeficiency, โLipner states. Furthermore, high doses ofโข biotin can interfere with โcertain laboratory tests,โค including those โused to diagnose heart attacks, prompting Lipner to advise patients to โavoid them. Goh emphasizes the lack of regulation surrounding supplements and cosmetic products, noting they don’t undergo theโฃ same rigorous safety standards as โpharmaceuticals.
Expertsโข recommend prioritizing healthy lifestyle habits – regular exercise, improved nutrition, and sufficient sleep – before turning โคto supplements or multivitamins. “Genetics are hard to prevent,” Mirmirani says, “But the things you can change are these healthy habits.” For pregnant โwomen experiencing hair loss, there are currentlyโ no safeโข treatment options available.
