Hair loss treatment: 5 options with real evidence
Why hair falls out: the real causes
You naturally lose between 50 and 100 hairs a day. That is your hair cycle working as it should: hairs in a growth phase (anagen), transition (catagen) and shedding (telogen). The problem starts when this balance breaks and hair loss exceeds regrowth.
In my practice I see four frequent causes. First, nutritional deficiency: low iron, ferritin below 40 ng/mL, insufficient zinc or vitamin D on the floor. Many women on restrictive diets come in with hair shedding as the first symptom. Second, stress and hormonal changes: post-partum, menopause, stopping contraceptives. Third, genetics: androgenetic alopecia affects around 50% of men and 30% of women. And fourth, thyroid problems: both hypo- and hyperthyroidism can cause diffuse hair loss.
Before you buy any hair loss treatment or supplement, you need to know why you are losing hair. A simple blood test (ferritin, serum iron, vitamin D, TSH, zinc) can save you months on the wrong treatment.
Types of alopecia: reactive vs androgenetic
This distinction is the most important point in this article — treatment changes completely depending on the type.
Androgenetic alopecia deserves a special mention because it is the most common and the most misunderstood. The enzyme 5-alpha-reductase converts testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT), and DHT binds to receptors in the follicle, miniaturising it. Hair becomes thinner and shorter until it stops growing. It is genetic but not inevitable: natural 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors (such as Serenoa repens) can slow the process.
The 5 hair loss treatments with evidence
After years dispensing these products in pharmacy, these are the five approaches with solid clinical evidence:
1. Supplements with 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors (Serenoa repens)
Serenoa repens inhibits the conversion of testosterone into DHT. Clinical studies show improvement in hair density of around 60% at 24 weeks with 320 mg/day (PMID: 12006122). Iraltone AGA Plus is one of the most complete formulations we have in pharmacy: Serenoa repens + zinc (enzymatic cofactor) + biotin. It is my first-line choice for androgenetic alopecia.
2. Sulphur amino acid + biotin + millet (hair nutrition)
L-cystine is a sulphur amino acid essential for keratin. Biotin is involved in the synthesis of hair proteins. Millet provides silicic acid. Priorin combines all three with decades of clinical use behind it. I find it especially useful in reactive shedding and deficiency states.
3. Topical minoxidil (2–5%)
This is the only topical treatment with level A evidence for androgenetic alopecia according to major guidelines (PMID: 32146998). It is a vasodilator that increases blood flow to the follicle and prolongs the growth phase. Usual concentrations are 2% (women) and 5% (men). It needs continuous use: if you stop it, the effect is lost over time. It combines well with oral treatments.
4. Iron + ferritin (correcting deficiency)
This is not a specific hair supplement, but it is often the most effective measure when deficiency is the cause. Ferritin below about 40 ng/mL can already trigger shedding, even if laboratory values appear "within range". Target ferritin is usually above 70 ng/mL for optimal hair growth in many studies (PMID: 24326538). If your iron stores are low, no oral hair supplement will work properly until you correct them.
5. Topical peptides and growth factors
Lotions with biomimetic peptides and growth factors (for example Spectral DNC-N from DS Laboratories) aim to stimulate follicular stem cells. Evidence is growing but still not at the level of minoxidil. I use them as a complementary option rather than a stand-alone solution.
Which hair loss treatment do you need?
✅ Man with receding temples or crown thinning (male AGA)
Iraltone AGA Plus orally + topical minoxidil 5% if thinning is visible. Ongoing maintenance is usually needed. Expect slowing of shedding at around 3 months and partial density recovery from about 6 months.
✅ Woman with diffuse loss of density (female AGA)
Iraltone AGA Plus + hormonal blood tests if there is adult acne or hirsutism. The female pattern often responds well to natural 5-alpha-reductase inhibition.
✅ Post-partum woman with intense shedding (telogen effluvium)
Priorin for 3–4 months. Post-partum effluvium is self-limiting, but Priorin speeds up recovery thanks to cystine and biotin. Check ferritin levels as deficiency is common after pregnancy.
✅ Hair loss due to stress, diet or illness
Priorin for 3–4 months + correction of the underlying cause. If there is iron deficiency, add a specific iron supplement prescribed or recommended by your clinician or pharmacist. Prognosis is excellent once you address the trigger.
❌ Alopecia areata (round bald patches)
This is an autoimmune condition. Oral supplements do not treat it effectively on their own. You need assessment by a dermatologist (topical corticosteroids, immunotherapy or other specialist treatments).
❌ Drug-induced hair loss (chemotherapy, some anticoagulants)
This type of shedding usually improves once the medicine is stopped or changed under medical supervision. Supplements may help recovery afterwards but will not prevent loss while treatment continues.
Most effective hair loss products according to a pharmacist
These are the two oral references I dispense most often for hair loss in pharmacy practice. Both work well but they suit different profiles.
If your pattern fits androgenetic alopecia (receding temples, crown thinning, widening parting), choose Iraltone AGA Plus: Serenoa repens targets the hormonal driver. If your loss is reactive (post-partum, stress, dieting), choose Priorin: the cystine–biotin–millet combination nourishes the follicle and speeds up recovery.
Treatment protocol: realistic timeline
How long does a hair loss treatment take to work?
You need at least about 3 months to judge results properly because a full hair cycle lasts roughly 3–6 months. Any promise of dramatic change within a few weeks is not realistic for most people. Staying consistent for 4–6 months is key; most people give up in month 2 — just before improvements usually start.
What is the difference between reactive shedding and androgenetic alopecia?
Reactive shedding (telogen effluvium) is temporary: it follows triggers such as post-partum changes, stress, crash dieting or acute illness. Hair tends to grow back on its own or with nutritional support once triggers resolve. Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is progressive and genetic, driven by DHT acting on follicles; it needs ongoing treatment to maintain results over time.
Can I combine an oral supplement with a topical treatment?
Yes — in many cases this combined approach gives better outcomes than either alone. An oral product supports from within (vitamins, minerals, natural 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors) while a topical such as minoxidil acts directly on the scalp and follicles from the outside.
What blood tests should I request if my hair is falling out?
A reasonable basic panel includes ferritin, serum iron, vitamin D, TSH and zinc levels. If there is suspicion of androgenetic alopecia or signs of hyperandrogenism: total and free testosterone, DHEA-S and SHBG can be useful under medical guidance. A dermatologist can also perform trichoscopy to distinguish types of alopecia more precisely.
Do treatments stop working when I stop taking them?
In reactive shedding, once your hair has recovered and you have corrected the underlying cause, you can usually stop without problems. In AGA these treatments act as maintenance: if you stop them completely, DHT will gradually act again on follicles and progressive thinning tends to resume.
What is the difference between Iraltone AGA Plus and Priorin?
Iraltone AGA Plus contains Serenoa repens + zinc + biotin and is designed mainly for androgenetic alopecia patterns where hormonal influence via DHT predominates. Priorin uses L-cystine + biotin + millet extract and focuses on general hair nutrition and supporting growth after stress or deficiency states. If your pattern looks androgenetic I lean towards Iraltone; if it looks reactive or nutritional I prefer Priorin.
Your hair is asking for something specific
Hair loss is not a life sentence; it is a signal your body sends you and understanding that signal is the first step to slowing or reversing it where possible. Blood tests first, clear diagnosis of alopecia type next and then targeted treatment — always in that order.
Summary table: Hair loss
| Criterion | Reactive shedding (telogen effluvium) | Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) |
|---|---|---|
| Cause | Stress, post-partum, diet, illness, medicines | Genetics + action of DHT on the follicle |
| Pattern | Diffuse shedding across the whole scalp | Receding temples and crown (men), widening parting (women) |
| Duration | Temporary (2–6 months if the cause is corrected) | Progressive if not treated |
| Reversible | Yes, usually | Partially (shedding can be slowed and density improved) |
| Oral treatment | Nutrients: biotin, cystine, iron, zinc | 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors (Serenoa repens) + nutrients |
| Topical treatment | Stimulating lotions (optional) | Minoxidil + lotions (recommended) |
| Recommended product | Priorin (general hair nutrition) | Iraltone AGA Plus (DHT inhibition + nutrition) |
Frequently asked questions
Scientific references
