What hair loss treatment works for women?
Minoxidil, if it’s thinning on top. Sudden shedding all over usually grows back on its own. Patches need a different treatment. And in trials, a stronger minoxidil did no better.
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What is the best hair loss treatment for women?
It depends on the type. For slow thinning on top, called female pattern hair loss, minoxidil on the scalp has the trial evidence behind it.
Pattern loss is the most common type in women, says the BAD, the UK body for skin doctors. Genes and hormones cause it, and there’s no cure. But it tends to move very slowly, over years to decades.
Other types need a different plan. Find yours here.
| What you notice | What it may be | What helps |
|---|---|---|
| Thinning on top and a wider parting. Front hairline normal. | Female pattern hair loss | Minoxidil on the scalp, every day, may help. |
| Sudden shedding all over, about 3 months after illness, stress, a birth or a crash diet | Shedding after a trigger (telogen effluvium) | Usually nothing. It tends to grow back on its own. |
| Small, round, coin-sized bald patches | Alopecia areata | Often regrows within a year, depending on how much is lost. Steroid injections for small patches. |
| Hair loss with tiredness, breathlessness or pale skin | May be low iron | See a GP to check. |
Sources: BAD: pattern loss; BAD: shedding; BAD: patches; NHS
Shedding and pattern loss can turn up at the same time. Your next move: match your pattern, then go to the section for it.
Does minoxidil regrow hair in women?
For some women, yes. A Cochrane review, which pools the best trials, looked at women with pattern loss. About 26 in 100 on minoxidil reported moderate to marked regrowth, against about 14 in 100 on a dummy lotion.
Source: Cochrane
So most women don’t see big regrowth. The BAD says minoxidil may slow the loss and partly restore hair in some women.
Now the twist from the top of the page. In trials, 5% did no better than 2%, though that evidence is only moderate to low quality.
That matters because only the 2% strength is licensed (approved) for women. Neither is on the NHS, and 5% should be used only on a health professional’s advice.
At your GP visit, ask what treatments are available to you.
How long does minoxidil take to work for women?
At least 6 months. The BAD says to use it that long before any benefit may show.
What to expect once you start minoxidil
- 1
First 4 to 6 weeks
You may shed more at first. This usually settles as new hairs grow.
- 2
Month 6
Use it at least this long before you judge it.
- 3
Keep going
Any benefit lasts only as long as you keep using it.
So pick a routine you could keep for years. Stop, and any gain fades.
How to use minoxidil safely
- Put it on the thinning scalp, not your hair, and spread it lightly.
- Wipe off any that gets on your forehead or cheeks, or hair may grow there.
- Don’t put it on cuts or open wounds.
- Avoid it if you’re planning a pregnancy or breastfeeding.
- Give it at least 6 months before you judge it.
- Cover thin or bald patches with sun block, a wig or a hat in the sun.
Source: BAD
It can make the scalp dry, red, scaly or itchy. Talk to a pharmacist or GP if that bothers you.
What about tablets, lasers and other hair loss treatments?
Skip finasteride, the tablet many men use. The NHS says women should not use it. In three small trials, it did no better than a dummy pill for women, though the evidence is low quality.
| Treatment | What the evidence says | The catch |
|---|---|---|
| Low-dose minoxidil tablets | May work at least as well as the lotion, in certain cases. | Ask a prescriber whether you’re one of them. |
| Spironolactone or cyproterone tablets | May help a little by blocking hormones on the scalp. | Not licensed for hair loss. Avoid in pregnancy and breastfeeding. |
| Laser comb | Mixed results in trials. | Women rated it no better than a fake device. |
| PRP (your own blood plasma, injected) | Research is too limited to say. | Private only. |
| Hair transplant | Moves hair from the back and sides to thin areas. | Private only. Not offered on the NHS. |
| Wigs and fibre sprays | Hide thinning while you wait. | Fibres may wash off when hair gets wet. Some wigs are on the NHS, though you may pay. |
Every medicine here works only while you keep using it. Never stop or change a prescribed medicine without your prescriber.
Thinking of shampoos or oils? See which hair loss products work and rosemary oil against minoxidil.
Can you stop hair fall or regrow hair naturally?
For shedding after a trigger, usually yes. The BAD says it usually gets completely better without treatment. Shedding lasts 3 to 6 months, then new hair starts to grow.
Full thickness can take many more months. Medicines don’t speed it up.
For thinning on top, the BAD lists no natural fix. Minoxidil is the option with trial evidence.
Shedding can come back if a cause like low iron isn’t treated. So a GP may check your thyroid and iron with a blood test.
Six things the BAD suggests while hair regrows
- Brush and comb gently.
- Use hairdryers, straighteners and curlers less.
- Skip bleaching, relaxing and other harsh chemical treatments.
- Wear tight hairstyles less often.
- Stop smoking. Cigarette smoke can make hair loss worse.
- Eat foods rich in iron and protein, plus fresh fruit and vegetables.
Source: BAD
Vegan or on a restricted diet? The BAD says to consider supplements. See vitamins for hair growth, our hair loss blood test guide and stress hair loss.
When to speak to a GP
A GP may be able to tell the cause by looking at your hair. Book an appointment if:
- You’re worried about your hair loss, or it’s affecting how you feel.
- You’re thinking of paying a hair clinic. The NHS says see a GP about the cause first.
- Thinning comes with acne, more facial hair or irregular periods. These can be signs of PMOS, once called PCOS.
- You feel tired, short of breath, notice your heartbeat (palpitations), get headaches or look paler. These can be signs of iron deficiency anaemia.
- Shedding doesn’t get better, or you have round bald patches.
Hair loss can also be a sign of an underactive thyroid or the menopause. See perimenopause hair loss and PCOS treatment.
If hair loss is getting you down, your GP may be able to help you get counselling.