As a treatment for hair loss, even less is known about the effects of saw palmetto. It is likely, however, that the association has been made because of the effects of a different treatment, finasteride. Finasteride is a medicine licensed for use in the treatment of both BPH and hair loss, and has been shown to be very effective in both instances. Because saw palmetto is thought to be an effective treatment for BPH, it is therefore understandable that the link would be made to hair loss. Two case studies further report that young girls experienced hot flashes when given saw palmetto supplements to treat hair loss or hirsutism — a condition causing unwanted male-pattern hair growth in women ( 28, 29). Although promising, the research on saw palmetto’s effect on hair loss is limited. More studies are needed before strong conclusions can be made. Summary Saw palmetto extract is rich in plant sterols and fatty acids, which may help nourish the scalp and promote healthy hair growth. Saw palmetto extract has fatty acids, such as oleic acid and linoleic acid, which are important for maintaining the health and integrity of the skin and hair. They help moisturize and nourish the scalp, supporting healthy hair growth.

Finasteride (the main ingredient in Propecia) and minoxidil (the main ingredient in Rogaine) are among the most popular treatments that target DHT on the scalp and within the body. Hims Shampoo utilizes saw palmetto extract as its primary active ingredient. It is a natural substance that requires no prescription and shows promise in reducing scalp DHT in several studies. What is DHT?

Fiume, M. M., Heldreth, B., Bergfeld, W. F., Belsito, D. V., Hill, R. A., Klaassen, C. D., Liebler, D. C., Shank, R. C., Slaga, T. J., Snyder, P. W., & Andersen, F. A. (2017). Safety Assessment of Diethanolamine and Its Salts as Used in Cosmetics. International Journal of Toxicology. Piérard-Franchimont, C., Goffin, V., Decroix, J., & Piérard, G. E. (2002). A multicenter randomized trial of ketoconazole 2% and zinc pyrithione 1% shampoos in severe dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis. Skin Pharmacology and Applied Skin Physiology, 15(6), 434–441.

One of the main potential benefits of saw palmetto is that it seems to reduce DHT uptake by the hair follicle. As you know, less DHT equals more hair.

The ultimate hair growth methodology

Spironolactone. Consider this the clinical version of saw palmetto. Spironolactone is a medication that can be effective in treating androgen-related hair loss, such as androgenic alopecia. It can also be prescribed for other conditions like androgenic alopecia, hirsutism and acne. However, it’s important to note that if you take spironolactone, you should also be on a reliable form of birth control, as it has a Category C pregnancy rating from the FDA and could potentially cause birth defects. Learn everything about spironolactone in our guide, including deets on how it’s used for acne and hirsutism. Insufficient research has been carried out on saw palmetto as a hair loss treatment and it is not endorsed by doctors as a viable treatment. Taken in small doses, saw palmetto is unlikely to be harmful, however it’s inadvisable to spend too much time or money investing in this product as a hair loss treatment.

Like saw palmetto, pumpkin seed oil is a 5-alpha reductase inhibitor. A 2014 study found that males who took 400 mg of pumpkin seed oil daily for 24 weeks had an average hair count increase of 40%. However, more research is necessary before researchers can determine the effectiveness of this supplement.

Of course, these ingredients are just there to target Malassezia, and while using them can reduce dandruff over time, they can’t heal the damage that’s already been done. That’s why many companies add soothing ingredients to their anti-dandruff shampoos to help heal the scalp. In Dandruff Detox, those include avocado oil and argan oil. Wessagowit, V., Tangjaturonrusamee, C., Kootiratrakarn, T., Bunnag, T., Pimonrat, T., Muangdang, N., & Pichai, P. (2016). Treatment of male androgenetic alopecia with topical products containing Serenoa repens extract. The Australasian Journal of Dermatology, 57(3), e76–e82. It’s worth pointing out that these studies aren’t perfect. First, they were performed on an exclusively male sample — an understandable flaw, given that male hair loss is more common than female hair loss. But it still leaves us wondering how exactly it might work on females. Though raw and dried saw palmetto berries have been eaten for centuries, their safety hasn’t been directly studied. People experiencing male pattern baldness can chat with their doctors about preventive treatments like:

Keeps’ ketoconazole shampoo doesn’t contain any ingredients that nourish the scalp. In fact, its use of sulfates and red 40 may increase irritation on a scalp that’s already suffering. It also won’t be great for the quality of your hair. The study was comprehensive, but pumpkin seed oil wasn’t the only ing Because saw palmetto can affect hormonal receptors, people using hormonal therapies such as hormone replacement therapy or hormonal birth control methods should not use saw palmetto as a hair loss treatment. The American Academy of Dermatology advise people to ensure that they get enough of certain nutrients in their diet. These include protein and iron, which the body uses to build strong, healthy hair. Eating too few calories may also affect the growth and health of the hair.

What Is a DHT-Blocker Shampoo?

Likewise, if you have other symptoms along with hair loss, such as itching, burning, or pain, consider talking with a doctor for their advice. Oral minoxidil . If you’re looking for an option that won’t interfere with your styling routine, this once-daily pill might be your best bet. Though oral minoxidil hasn’t been FDA-approved for hair loss, clinical trials have shown that it’s effective at various doses ranging from 0.25 to 2.5 milligrams daily.