Health
These 5 balding and hair loss treatments could help ensure a healthy scalp, experts say
Hair loss can be a frustrating byproduct of aging.
About 70% of men will lose hair as they age, while half will experience hair loss by age 50, according to Cleveland Clinic.
Approximately 80% of cases of male pattern baldness are due to genetic factors, studies have shown.
Among women, up to 40% will have noticeable hair loss by age 50, UCLA Health reported.
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Hair loss can be a factor in mental health struggles, research has shown.
A 2022 study found that adults with alopecia areata (an autoimmune disease that causes hair loss) were up to 38% more likely to experience clinical depression, according to the National Alopecia Areata Foundation.
Jimmy Sung, MD, told Fox News Digital “finding a specialist who focuses on evidence-based hair restoration and regeneration is essential.” (iStock)
For those looking to minimize and prevent balding, the following five treatments could be helpful, experts say.
1. Minoxidil
Manhattan-based dermatologist Dr. Brendan Camp, MD, recommends starting with the over-the-counter topical minoxidil, which does not require a prescription.
“It is thought to help keep hair in the growing phase, also known as anagen,” he told Fox News Digital.
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It is important to prevent the topical form of minoxidil from dripping onto the face, Camp warned, as it can promote hair growth in unwanted areas.
Oral minoxidil was also recommended as an off-label treatment for hair loss. This version of the medication does require a prescription.
“In men with male pattern hair loss, it is important to use a DHT blocker combined with something like minoxidil to improve blood flow to the scalp,” a doctor said. (iStock)
The medicine is normally prescribed to treat high blood pressure, according to Camp, but one of its side effects is hair growth.
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“Minoxidil is prescribed at low doses to treat hair loss to take advantage of this side effect and promote hair growth,” Camp said.
2. Oral finasteride
Oral finasteride is an FDA-approved treatment for male androgenetic alopecia, which is also known as male pattern baldness, Camp said.
Finasteride works by limiting the formation of a hormone called DHT, which is responsible for hair shrinkage and hair loss, the doctor said.
Minoxidil and finasteride are both effective and have an “established track record in treating hair loss,” a doctor said. (iStock)
Las Vegas dermatologist Dr. Candace Spann, MD, the creator of ReTress, a hair care formula for women experiencing hair loss, echoed the importance of targeting DHT with a blocker to “improve blood flow to the scalp” and boost hair growth in men.
Jimmy C. Sung, MD, board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon and medical director of Tribeca Aesthetics in New York City, agreed with Spann and Camp that minoxidil and finasteride are both effective and have an “established track record in treating hair loss.”
3. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP)
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is a treatment administered in a medical provider’s office, where a patient’s blood is drawn and spun to separate the plasma from the red blood cells, according to Camp.
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The plasma, which is rich in platelets and “growth factors,” is then injected into the scalp to “improve hair density and caliber,” he said.
PRP has also been used for wound healing in trauma and joint injuries, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine, but has been gaining popularity in addressing male pattern baldness and stimulating the growth of hair transplants.
PRP is a treatment administered in-office, where a patient’s blood is drawn and spun to separate the plasma from the red blood cells. (Paul Chinn/The San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images)
Results are most noticeable six months after the scalp injections. The procedure is not permanent, and additional injections may be needed, experts say.
Sung called hair transplants an “excellent solution for hair restoration for patients who are good candidates and looking for long-term solutions.”
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“Platelet-rich plasma injections enhance hair transplant results and benefit some non-transplant patients,” he told Fox News Digital.
4. Saw palmetto
An alternative treatment for hair loss, saw palmetto is a plant-based, over-the-counter supplement.
“Saw palmetto is thought to reduce the amount of DHT hormone that contributes to hair loss,” Camp said.
Saw palmetto, a palm native to the southeastern U.S., is commonly used in supplements to “improve prostate health, balance hormone levels and prevent hair loss in men,” according to Healthline. (DeAgostini/Getty Images)
“The evidence behind the use of saw palmetto as an effective treatment for hair loss is limited, and OTC supplements are not FDA-regulated,” he noted.
A 2020 study published by the National Institutes of Health noted a 60% improvement in overall hair quality among patients experiencing hair loss who used various oral and topical saw palmetto products.
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The study also found that 27% of participants saw improved total hair count, 83% reported increased hair density and 52% said the hair loss stopped progressing.
5. Scalp treatments and vitamin therapy
Treating hair loss in both men and women is a “multifaceted approach,” Spann said, involving the treatment of other issues like low vitamin D or scalp inflammation.
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“Treating female pattern hair loss is more complicated, because it requires addressing all underlying causes,” she told Fox News Digital.
Treating women’s hair loss is “more complicated,” a dermatologist said. (iStock)
“It is crucial to improve blood flow to the scalp, calm scalp inflammation and correct underlying vitamin deficiencies.”
Those experiencing scalp inflammation, or scalp folliculitis, should see a board-certified dermatologist to identify the cause of the condition and determine the proper treatment.
Some cases of scalp inflammation can be remedied at home with a warm compress, antibiotic ointment, antihistamines, or an antifungal or anti-dandruff shampoo. (iStock)
Some cases can be remedied at home with a warm compress, antibiotic ointment, antihistamines, or an antifungal or anti-dandruff shampoo, according to the Valley Skin Institute website.
In some cases, however, the condition may require prescription-strength medication.
A 2020 study published by the National Institutes of Health noted a 60% improvement in overall hair quality among patients experiencing hair loss who used various oral and topical saw palmetto products. (iStock)
“It is also important to correct iron deficiencies, low iron stores and low vitamin D levels,” Spann added.
Many vitamins and minerals play a role in healthy hair growth, according to Harvard Health.
Some of these include vitamins A, B2 (riboflavin), B3 (niacin), B7 (biotin), B9 (folate), B12, C, D and E, as well as iron, selenium and zinc.
“Consuming adequate vitamins and minerals is important to preventing and managing hair loss,” states the Harvard Health website. “Most people can cover all their nutritional needs through a healthy, balanced diet.”
Those who have questions about choosing the right hair loss treatment should consult a medical provider, experts recommend.
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A popular class of weight-loss drugs may prevent life-threatening cardiac complications by opening microscopic blood vessels that often remain blocked after a heart attack, according to a study published this week in Nature Communications.
The research, led by the University of Bristol and University College London, identified a biological brain-gut-heart signaling pathway.
This discovery appears to explain how GLP-1 drugs — which mimic glucagon-like peptide-1, a hormone that helps regulate blood sugar and appetite — protect heart tissue from a condition known as “no-reflow.”
“In nearly half of all heart attack patients, tiny blood vessels within the heart muscle remain narrowed, even after the main artery is cleared during emergency medical treatment,” Dr. Svetlana Mastitskaya, the study’s lead author and a senior lecturer at Bristol Medical School, said in a press release.
“This results in a complication known as ‘no-reflow,’ where blood is unable to reach certain parts of the heart tissue.”
In nearly half of all heart attack patients, tiny capillaries (blood vessels) remain narrowed even after the main blocked artery is cleared. (iStock)
This lack of blood flow increases the risk of heart failure and death within a year. GLP-1 medications could prevent this, according to the researchers.
How it works
When the GLP-1 hormone is released in the gut or administered as a drug, it sends a signal to the brain, which then sends a signal to the heart that switches on special potassium channels in tiny cells called pericytes.
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When these channels open, the pericytes relax, which allows the small blood vessels (capillaries) to widen and improve blood flow to the heart muscle, the researchers noted.
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The new study used animal models and cellular imaging to track how GLP-1 interacts with heart tissue. When the researchers removed the potassium channels, the drugs no longer protected the heart — confirming they play a key role.
The findings suggest that existing GLP-1 medications, already used for type 2 diabetes and obesity, could be repurposed as emergency treatments. (iStock)
The findings suggest that existing GLP-1 medications, already used for type 2 diabetes and obesity, could be repurposed as emergency treatments during or immediately after a heart attack to reduce tissue damage.
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The researchers noted several limitations, including that the study relied on animal models.
Clinical trials are necessary to determine whether the brain-gut-heart pathway operates with the same timing and efficacy in humans.
While the study highlights the drug’s immediate benefits during a heart attack, it des not establish whether long-term use of these drugs provides a pre-existing level of protection. (iStock)
Additionally, while the study highlights the drug’s immediate benefits during a heart attack, it does not establish whether long-term use of the medication provides a pre-existing level of protection.
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The research was primarily funded by the British Heart Foundation.
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Collagen supplements have exploded in popularity, touted as everything from an anti-aging miracle to a muscle recovery booster.
But a sweeping new review conducted by U.K. researchers suggests that while collagen may help improve skin elasticity and ease arthritis pain, it does little for athletic performance or wrinkle reduction.
Researchers from Anglia Ruskin University analyzed 16 systematic reviews and 113 randomized controlled trials involving nearly 8,000 participants worldwide, which they say is the most extensive evaluation of collagen’s health effects to date.
The review found consistent evidence that collagen supplementation improves skin elasticity and hydration over time and provides significant relief from osteoarthritis-related joint pain and stiffness, according to findings published in Aesthetic Surgery Journal Open Forum.
A large U.K. review found that collagen supplements may improve skin elasticity and hydration over time. (iStock)
The researchers, however, did not find meaningful improvements in post-exercise muscle recovery, soreness or tendon mechanical properties (strength, springiness and stretch resistance).
“Collagen is not a cure-all, but it does have credible benefits when used consistently over time, particularly for skin and osteoarthritis,” co-author Lee Smith, professor of public health at Anglia Ruskin University, said in a statement.
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“Our findings show clear benefits in key areas of healthy aging, while also dispelling some of the myths surrounding its use,” Smith added.
Collagen, the most abundant protein in the body, supports skin, bones, tendons, cartilage and connective tissue, according to experts. Natural collagen production begins to drop in early adulthood and declines more sharply with age.
The study found that collagen supplements may help reduce joint pain and stiffness in people with osteoarthritis. (iStock)
The review found that long-term collagen supplementation was linked to improved skin firmness and hydration, but did not help skin roughness — a proxy for visible wrinkles.
Benefits appear to accumulate gradually, suggesting that collagen should not be viewed as an “anti-wrinkle ‘quick fix,’ but as a foundational dermal support for individuals seeking holistic skin maintenance,” the researchers said.
“If we define anti-aging as a product or technique designed to prevent the appearance of getting older, then I believe our findings do support this claim for some parameters,” Smith told the BBC. “For example, an improvement in skin tone and moisture is associated with a more youthful-looking appearance.”
Collagen supplementation was linked to reduced pain and stiffness in people with osteoarthritis, with stronger benefits seen over longer periods of use, and showed modest improvements in muscle mass and tendon structure that may support healthy aging.
Collagen did not significantly improve skin roughness, a marker of visible wrinkles. (iStock)
However, it did not show meaningful results when used as a fast-acting sports performance supplement, and evidence for benefits related to cholesterol, blood sugar, blood pressure and oral health was mixed or inconclusive.
Dr. Daniel Ghiyam, a California-based physician and longevity specialist, said the findings align with what he sees in clinical practice.
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“Collagen is a targeted support tool, not a foundation of health or performance,” Ghiyam, who was not involved in the study, told Fox News Digital. “When marketed that way, it makes sense. When marketed as a cure-all, it doesn’t hold up to the data.”
The authors noted that while many previous collagen studies have received financial support from the supplement industry, the current review did not receive industry funding.
Experts say collagen supplements may offer modest benefits for skin hydration and joint comfort, but they are not a cure-all. (iStock)
The team called for more high-quality clinical trials examining long-term outcomes, optimal dosages and differences between collagen sources, such as marine, bovine and plant-based alternatives.
Among its limitations, the review could not determine whether certain forms of collagen work better than others or what the optimal regimen should be.
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While the review included randomized controlled trials, the quality of the studies varied, with newer research generally showing stronger results.
Experts say more data and studies are needed to build on the findings. They also noted that diet plays a crucial role in skin health.
Collagen supplements, often sold as powders or pills, may improve skin elasticity and ease joint pain, experts say. (iStock)
Dr. Erum Ilyas, a Pennsylvania-based dermatologist and chair of dermatology at Drexel University College of Medicine, noted that the review analyzed previously published meta-analyses rather than generating new primary data.
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“At this time, I have not seen sufficiently strong independent evidence to routinely recommend collagen supplements to my patients,” Ilyas, who was not involved in the review, told Fox News Digital.
“Although some studies show modest improvements in markers such as hydration and elasticity, there remains limited independent, biopsy-confirmed evidence demonstrating sustained increases in dermal collagen content,” she added.
Fox News Digital has reached out to the researchers for comment.
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