Platelet-Rich Plasma Therapy

PRP therapy always sounded like a sci-fi fever dream—take my blood, spin it, inject it back into my scalp? But real dermatologists started publishing numbers, and suddenly it’s not so fringe. PRP won’t regrow hair that’s been gone for years, but if you’re just starting to thin (and you’re already on minoxidil or finasteride), it might help thicken what’s left.

Don’t expect a miracle—think of it as maintenance. You’ll need repeat treatments, and insurance won’t touch it. My dermatologist said it sometimes gives other treatments a boost, but plenty of people drop out after three sessions and a lighter wallet. If you hate needles or want dramatic before-and-afters, lower your expectations. Still, there’s something oddly comforting about the ritual, even if it’s just placebo.

Hair Loss Remedies to Avoid: Dermatologists’ Warnings

It’s honestly exhausting—every week, there’s a new “miracle” hair product, and nobody’s keeping score. I’ve grilled more dermatologists than I care to admit, and a few “treatments” always get a hard pass, whether they’re over-the-counter, homemade, or some random supplement.

Unproven Over-the-Counter Products

My bathroom is a graveyard of failed topicals. Minoxidil is legit, but the rest? Just bottles with “extra strength” and “natural formula” slapped on. Dr. Amy McMichael called out caffeine serums and herbal stuff—she cited a study (International Journal of Dermatology, 2023) showing over 75% were no better than a sugar pill.

So, these “treatments” just gather dust. The FDA even warned about some telehealth brands selling topical finasteride, with side effects like scalp irritation and mood swings—one guy couldn’t sleep for a week, and the box barely mentioned it.

Why do these things trend? Slick marketing. People assume “topical” means safe. If that were true, the American Academy of Dermatology wouldn’t spend half their conferences warning people about wasted money and weird injuries.

Homemade and Internet Fads

Egg yolk mask? Tried it. Just ended up sticky and smelling like a failed brunch. Dermatologists say blending up oils, garlic, even aspirin (yes, really) won’t “restore” hair. Dr. Nada Elbuluk pointed to a review showing these social media DIYs haven’t even passed basic safety checks. One essential oil mix caused rashes in 40% of users in a 2022 survey.

Online, you’ll hear about toothpaste, onion juice, cayenne pepper—whatever for “stimulation.” The data isn’t just weak, it’s nonexistent. Some of these fads actually damage follicles. Dermatologists have seen burns, peeling, and long-term shedding just from people chasing viral trends.

Rice water rinse? Yeah, I tried that too after a TikTok binge. My hair felt drier, and science says it doesn’t work. Some of these hacks even trigger dermatitis. There’s a reason controlled trials exist, even if watching YouTube is way easier.

Supplements Lacking Evidence

Biotin gummies. “Hair miracle!” in neon letters. Yeah, I bought a bottle. Who hasn’t? Then I actually called Dr. Jerry Shapiro at NYU—awkward. He flat-out told me that, for people with normal biotin, those supplements did nothing for hair growth. Three months, no change, just expensive pee. And let’s be honest: outside iron or vitamin D, cases of actual hair regrowth from supplements are like unicorns. Medical News Today doesn’t even sugarcoat it—there’s no cure for genetic male pattern baldness, so unless you’re already deficient, you’re basically burning money.

Multivitamins? Sometimes they pack so much vitamin A or selenium that you might actually lose more hair. That’s not in the ads. My buddy tried those “hair growth pills” for four months—ended up with nails that looked like he’d been rock climbing without gloves. Every dermatologist I trust says: just get bloodwork before you even look at a supplement. Why is that so hard for people to hear?

Herbal blends? Oh boy. Still the Wild West. One dermatologist I met at a conference rolled her eyes so hard at “herbal hair pills” I thought she’d hurt herself. These things aren’t regulated, and sometimes they mess with your prescriptions in ways the label will never warn you about. “Fuller hair in a month or your money back”—I can’t read that without cringing.

Myths and Misconceptions About Hair Regrowth

Every other week, there’s some new “miracle” scalp serum or meal plan for “fuller hair.” Feels like everyone’s selling something. Does anyone actually know where diet, wigs, or hairpieces fit into all this? Marketing sure isn’t going to admit it’s mostly smoke.

Diet and Hair Loss

I forced myself to eat “hair-healthy” granola for a year. Biotin everywhere. Three blogs and a supplement ad said it’d regrow my temples. It didn’t. Not even a little. I’ve never met a dermatologist who blames a balanced diet for male pattern baldness—it’s almost always genetics. But, okay, nutrition isn’t pointless. If you tank your iron, crash diet, or run low on zinc or vitamin D, you might make things worse. Sometimes thyroid or autoimmune stuff sneaks up, too. One doctor I actually trust said hair loss can be the first sign something else is off.

But popping vitamin gummies for a bald spot? Not happening. The studies are clear—supplements don’t do squat for most men with hereditary loss. I could swallow a whole pharmacy and still need a hat at Thanksgiving. The only advice dermatologists actually repeat: eat decently, and if your hair loss escalates or comes with weird symptoms, just see a doctor.

Wigs, Hairpieces, and Concealers

My cousin’s wedding, full panic mode. I spent way too long on forums reading about “secret weapon” hairpieces and scalp concealers. Spoiler: not a single one regrows hair. They’re just hiding the problem. Calling a toupee a “treatment” is hilarious and kind of sad. A good hairpiece can help your confidence, sure, but no dermatologist I know pretends it’ll fix your follicles.

People forget about maintenance. Guys slap on a cheap wig, ignore scalp hygiene, or drown their heads in concealer. Result? Sweat, glue, breakouts, sometimes even fungus. And the cost? Way more than the sticker price, once you add cleaning and replacements. For anyone blaming hats or wigs for hair loss: unless you’re yanking your roots out, relax.

Tried those powder concealers on a work trip. Looked fine under hotel lights, but my pillowcase the next morning? Disaster. I still haven’t gotten the stains out.