Minoxidil Alternatives
Minoxidil is an effective treatment for hair loss. But you might be wondering if there are any natural alternatives to minoxidil, especially since the medication can cause some potential side effects. While some natural products can promote hair growth, none are as well-studied as minoxidil.
While no natural hair growth solutions have been proven to be as effective as minoxidil, an over-the-counter medication approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), there are a few products and methods that may stimulate hair growth and reduce hair fall.
If you’re looking into natural alternatives to minoxidil or products that may be used along with minoxidil, here’s what you need to know.
What Is Minoxidil?
Much like penicillin and Viagra®, minoxidil is one of those medications that was sort of discovered by accident. Originally used to treat high blood pressure, minoxidil produced an unexpected side effect: healthy hair growth.
The active ingredient in Rogaine®, minoxidil is a topical solution that is applied to the scalp. Topical minoxidil can be purchased without a prescription, though it’s important to tell your healthcare provider that you use minoxidil, just as you would with any prescription or OTC medication.
Minoxidil is a vasodilator, meaming it widens your blood vessels. When applied to your scalp, minoxidil boosts blood flow to your hair follicles. It might also lengthen the anagen phase of your hair growth cycle, which means new hair grows for longer.
The result? Thicker, healthier-looking hair with decreased shedding.
Other than minoxidil, some conventional treatments for hair loss include:
Finasteride (sold under the brand name Propecia®), which is specifically used for male pattern baldness
Laser hair treatments, in which a low-level light stimulates your hair follicles
Hair transplants, which can be effective but costly
While minoxidil is generally safe to use, it can cause some side effects. The possible side effects of minoxidil include scalp irritation, a dry scalp and allergic reactions.
Is minoxidil natural? No — minoxidil is not considered a natural treatment for hair loss. It doesn’t occur naturally in the body or in nature. Instead, it’s a medication that stimulates the blood vessels to widen, which can increase circulation to the hair follicles.
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10 Natural Minoxidil Alternatives
Complementary and alternative medicine, often called natural medicine or natural treatments, are those outside the realm of your doctor’s prescribed medications.
And when it comes to hair loss, there are several natural treatments and supplements marketed as being effective.
Unfortunately, as with many complementary treatments, the research is lacking around the efficacy of these treatments. When it comes to natural hair health treatments, more scientific evidence is necessary in order to claim that one natural solution can be considered a true minoxidil substitute.
In other words, there’s no natural minoxidil alternative that is proven to be as effective as minoxidil (or any other FDA-approved hair loss medication, for that matter). As with herbal supplements, natural hair loss treatments don’t undergo the kind of scrutiny and regulation that standard prescription and OTC medications do in order to be sold to consumers.
With that said, there are some natural treatments for hair loss that may be worth a try. Here’s a quick summary of 10 natural alternatives.
1. Microneedling
It’s possible that microneedling can support hair growth.
A review from 2020 examined whether needle therapy can treat hair loss. The findings revealed that microneedling delivered with a rolling device seemed to promote hair density and hair regrowth in people with hair loss conditions.
And a 2024 study found that a light-emitting diode (LED) helmet that also included a light-guiding microneedle patch (LMNP) was a safe and effective means of stimulating hair growth for people with androgenetic alopecia.
This includes conditions like:
Male pattern baldness, also called androgenic or androgenetic alopecia caused by a type of male hormone called dihydrotestosterone (DHT)
Alopecia areata, an autoimmune disorder that causes hair thinning and bald patches
Telogen effluvium, which is hair fall caused by severe stress or illness
It’s believed that microneedling increases blood circulation, which might stimulate hair follicles.
2. Saw Palmetto
When used topically or orally, saw palmetto, which is a plant, may have hair loss benefits.
A 2020 review looked at the benefits of saw palmetto for hair loss. It found that about 60 percent of users saw their hair quality improve, while nearly 30 percent saw an increase in total hair count in a collection of seven studies.
This natural treatment is often blended into topical hair care products, like saw palmetto shampoo.
3. Rosemary Oil
Do essential oils reduce hair loss? Some research suggests that rosemary oil might stimulate hair regrowth.
A study compared the effectiveness of rosemary oil vs minoxidil for hair loss. The researchers concluded the results of applying rosemary oil daily was “not inferior” to the results of 2% minoxidil.
Still, science needs to further explore the effects of rosemary oil to support the hypothesis that it can function as an effective natural substitute for minoxidil.
4. Capsaicin
Capsaicin is a compound found in peppers. It’s also used in some pain-relieving creams.
In one clinical trial, oral use of capsaicin was found to improve hair growth when compared to placebo.
Take these findings with a grain of salt: This study involved fewer than 50 participants and combined capsaicin with isoflavone, making it difficult to credit capsaicin alone.
Topical capsaicin did result in the growth of vellus hair (often referred to as “peach fuzz”), but this isn’t the thick scalp-type hair you’re usually after if you’re dealing with hair loss.
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5. Caffeine
You might’ve seen a few hair growth shampoos that contain caffeine. But does caffeine treat hair loss?
In some small-scale clinical studies, topical caffeine (such as a caffeine-enriched volumizing shampoo or lotion) has been shown to reduce hair loss progression and intensity.
The findings of a 2023 review that explored the effects of caffeine extract and other natural treatments, such as saw palmetto and pumpkin seed oil, suggest that these complementary and alternative medicines (CAMs) may help in some cases, but that much more research is needed to understand how to make them more effective.
Some studies combined caffeine with other treatments such as minoxidil, and reported more dramatic benefits than minoxidil alone.
6. Curcumin
Many people claim that it’s possible to use turmeric for hair loss.
Some research shows curcumin, which comes from turmeric, may improve the effects of topical minoxidil in people with male pattern baldness.
However, these findings don’t support the use of curcumin alone for successful treatment of hair loss.
7. Amino Acids
While several amino acids have been researched for treating hair loss, cysteine and lysine in particular have been studied in humans.
There’s still a lot of inconclusiveness around these amino acids: When studied, both were evaluated in conjunction with numerous other ingredients.
For example, a formula containing lysine, iron, vitamin B12, biotin, selenium and vitamin C was found to reduce hair shedding in women after six months. Though not a perfect solution for hair loss, it’s possible that getting enough of certain key vitamins and minerals can help preserve hair health.
With a treatment made of so many components, it’s impossible to know whether the reduction in hair shedding came from the amino acid, one of the other ingredients or from the ingredients working together.
8. Biotin
Biotin is also known as vitamin B7. It helps your body produce keratin — the building block of healthy hair and nails.
Biotin deficiency can cause hair loss, so it’d make sense that biotin consumption could reduce hair fall in people suffering from deficiency. Still, more research is necessary.
9. Zinc
There is a link between zinc deficiency and hair loss, studies have shown.
Findings suggest that zinc supplementation may boost hair regrowth in some people, although further research is needed.
10. Pumpkin Seed Oil
Pumpkin seed oil can be found in a number of hair growth supplements.
One study evaluated the effects of pumpkin seed oil vs minoxidil for hair growth. Specifically, it looked at 60 women with female pattern hair loss. Half of them used 5% minoxidil foam every day, while the other half used pumpkin seed oil.
While it wasn’t as effective as minoxidil, pumpkin seed oil did seem to promote hair growth in some participants.
You might’ve also heard about using apple cider vinegar, stinging nettle or garlic for hair growth. Much like the natural remedies listed above, there’s a lack of rigorous research to prove whether they’re effective.
Remember that the type of hair loss you’re experiencing will determine which treatments work for you. Treating your hair loss as soon as possible is critical because hair loss is not always reversible. If you’ve lost most of your hair already, conventional medications and alternative treatments may not be the answer.
In any case, we’d advise you to speak with a healthcare professional so that you can get the help you need — as soon as you need it.
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The Final Word on Natural Minoxidil Alternatives
Minoxidil is a well-researched, FDA-approved treatment for hair loss. But some people might seek natural substitutes for minoxidil.
No natural minoxidil alternative has proven to be as effective as minoxidil. In other words, none are as rigorously well-studied and proven to be as good at stimulating hair growth.
But some studies show that certain natural treatments could promote hair growth. These include microneedling, saw palmetto, and biotin supplements, among others.
Minoxidil still comes out on top. As a versatile, safe and effective hair loss treatment, minoxidil is certainly worth trying. You can try our topical finasteride and minoxidil spray, minoxidil foam and minoxidil solution.
If you’ve noticed thinning hair, a receding hairline or bald patches on your scalp, we can help you connect with a medical professional. They’ll be able to advise you on your treatment options, both conventional and natural.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The information contained herein is not a substitute for and should never be relied upon for professional medical advice. Always talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of any treatment or medication.