From the Guidelines
Hair loss can be caused by genetics, hormonal changes, medical conditions, medications, stress, and certain hairstyles or treatments, and the most effective treatment option is often a combination of medications like minoxidil and platelet-rich plasma therapy, as evidenced by a recent study in 2025 1.
Causes of Hair Loss
- Genetics (androgenetic alopecia)
- Hormonal changes
- Medical conditions
- Medications
- Stress
- Certain hairstyles or treatments
Treatment Options
- Medications like minoxidil (Rogaine) applied twice daily to the scalp and finasteride (Propecia) taken as a 1mg pill daily for men
- Corticosteroid injections for autoimmune-related hair loss, as studied in 2003 1 and 2012 1
- Platelet-rich plasma therapy, which has shown significant increase in hair density and follicle diameter, as reported in a 2025 study 1
- Hair transplant surgery
- Laser therapy
- Gentle hair care practices, such as avoiding tight hairstyles, excessive heat styling, and harsh chemical treatments
Recent Findings
A 2025 study 1 found that platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy can be an effective treatment for androgenetic alopecia (AGA), with a significant increase in hair density and follicle diameter. The study also suggested that PRP combined with topical minoxidil may be the most effective treatment modality. Another study in 2025 1 found that PRF (platelet-rich fibrin) may be a promising treatment for AGA, with a greater potential to regenerate hair than PRP.
Recommendations
For best results, it is advisable to apply a complex combined therapy protocol as early as possible, including medications like minoxidil and PRP therapy, as well as gentle hair care practices 1. Additionally, a task force assigned by the Indian Association of Dermatologists recommended a manual double-spin method for preparation of PRP for AGA treatment, with a minimum of 3-5 sessions and a recommended dose of 5-7 mL PRP 1.
From the FDA Drug Label
Minoxidil topical solution 5% will not prevent or improve hair loss which may occur with the use of some prescription and non-prescription medications, certain severe nutritional problems (very low body iron; too much vitamin A intake), low thyroid states (hypothyroidism), chemotherapy, or diseases which cause scarring of the scalp Also, minoxidil topical solution 5% will not improve hair loss due to: damage from the use of hair care products which cause scarring or deep burns of the scalp. hair grooming methods such as cornrowing or ponytails which require pulling the hair tightly back from the scalp.
The causes of hair loss that are mentioned in the label include:
- Genetic factors, as many people experiencing hair loss have other family members with gradual thinning hair or hair loss
- Prescription and non-prescription medications
- Severe nutritional problems, such as very low body iron or too much vitamin A intake
- Low thyroid states (hypothyroidism)
- Chemotherapy
- Diseases which cause scarring of the scalp
- Damage from hair care products that cause scarring or deep burns of the scalp
- Hair grooming methods such as cornrowing or ponytails that require pulling the hair tightly back from the scalp 2
From the Research
Causes of Hair Loss
- Hair loss is a common clinical condition connected with serious psychological distress and reduced quality of life 3
- Hormones play an essential role in the regulation of the hair growth cycle, and hormonal imbalances can lead to hair loss 3
- Androgen excess, such as dihydrotestosterone (DHT), can cause miniaturization of hair follicles in the scalp, leading to androgenetic alopecia 3, 4
- Estrogen deficiency, which can occur during menopause, can also lead to hair loss 3
- Thyroid hormones and thyroid dysfunctions are linked to various types of alopecia, including telogen effluvium, alopecia areata, and androgenetic alopecia 3
- Stress-induced alopecia is also a common cause of hair loss, and is linked to the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis hormones 3
- Certain medications can cause hair loss, including those that induce anagen arrest, telogen effluvium, or accentuate androgenetic alopecia 5
Treatments for Hair Loss
- Medical therapies for androgenetic alopecia include topical minoxidil, oral 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors, and oestroprogestative drugs with anti-androgen effects for women 6, 4
- Surgical options include autograft hair transplantation 6
- Phototherapy with low-level energy lasers is also available as a treatment option 6, 4
- Platelet-rich plasma injections have been shown to be an effective alternative treatment for androgenetic alopecia 6
- Other treatments, such as biotin, caffeine, melatonin, marine extracts, and zinc, have also been studied as potential supplemental treatments for androgenetic alopecia 7
- Finasteride and minoxidil have been shown to be effective in promoting hair growth in men with androgenetic alopecia, and minoxidil has been shown to be effective in women with androgenetic alopecia 4