Hair loss
Supplements studied for Hair loss.
Overview
SupplementDEX lists 6 supplements studied for hair loss across 14 trials. The strongest indexed signals include Saw Palmetto, Ashwagandha, Iron. See the heatmap and evidence reviews below for full ratings across all supplements.
Effect graph
Relevant supplements
Relevant supplements sorted by DEX Score.
| Saw Palmetto | ★★★★★ | Low |
| Taurine | ★★★★★ | Low |
| Selenium | ★★★★★ | Low |
| Probiotics | ★★★★★ | Low |
| Iron | ★★★★★ | Low |
| Ashwagandha | ★★★★★ | Low |
Studies
Find individual evidence reviews for supplements sorted by DEX Score.
6 supplements for rated at least stars. All purchase bands. No minimum star filter.
Saw PalmettoView supplement →
Reconsider purchase·★★★★★
How we scored this▸
- Research suggests that taking saw palmetto as a supplement or applying it to the scalp may help slow hair loss and slightly boost hair density for people with pattern baldness.
- Some studies show modest improvements, but saw palmetto works less well than prescription medicines like finasteride.
- Using saw palmetto with other ingredients may help, but it's unclear if saw palmetto alone is responsible.
- Saw palmetto is generally safe and well tolerated, but more research is needed to understand how well it works for hair loss over time.
Browse 8 studies
RCTA Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study to Evaluate the Safety and Efficacy of a Nutraceutical Supplement With Standardized Botanicals in Males With Thinning Hair2025
A 6-month RCT in men aged 21–61 with thinning hair found a standardized botanical nutraceutical improved blinded investigator hair growth and quality ratings versus placebo.
- Effect
- Benefit
- Population
- Men with thinning hair
- Ages
- 21–61
RCTOral Supplementation with l-Cystine, Serenoa repens, Cucurbita pepo, and Pygeum africanum in Chronic Telogen Effluvium and Androgenetic Alopecia: A Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Randomized Clinical Study2025n=80
In 80 adults with chronic telogen effluvium or androgenetic alopecia over 6 months, an oral l-cystine, Serenoa repens, cucurbita, and pygeum supplement increased hair density versus placebo.
- Effect
- Benefit
- Duration
- 6 months
- Population
- Adults
- Participants
- 80
- Ages
- 18–60
RCTA Comparative Study of Topical Procapil With Platelet-Rich Plasma Therapy Versus Topical Redensyl, Saw Palmetto, and Biotin With Platelet-Rich Plasma Therapy in the Treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia2023n=54
In 54 men with androgenetic alopecia, four sessions of topical Procapil plus PRP and redensyl-saw palmetto-biotin plus PRP both improved hair grading, with no significant between-group difference.
- Effect
- Benefit
- Population
- Adults
- Participants
- 54
Clinical trialOral and Topical Administration of a Standardized Saw Palmetto Oil Reduces Hair Fall and Improves the Hair Growth in Androgenetic Alopecia Subjects - A 16-Week Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Study2023n=19
A 16-week RCT in 80 adults with mild-to-moderate androgenetic alopecia found oral or topical standardized saw palmetto oil (VISPO) reduced hair fall by up to 29% versus placebo.
- Effect
- Benefit
- Duration
- 16 weeks
- Dose
- 400 mg/day VISPO
- Population
- Adults
- Participants
- 19
- Ages
- 18–50
RCTNatural Hair Supplement: Friend or Foe? Saw Palmetto, a Systematic Review in Alopecia2020
A systematic review of 7 alopecia studies found topical and oral saw palmetto (100–320 mg) associated with improved hair quality and density, though high-quality RCT data were limited.
- Effect
- Benefit
- Dose
- 100–320 mg/day
- Population
- Patients with androgenetic alopecia (AGA) and telogen effluvium
RCTComparitive effectiveness of finasteride vs Serenoa repens in male androgenetic alopecia: a two-year study2012n=100
In 100 men with mild-to-moderate androgenetic alopecia over 24 months, finasteride 1 mg/day improved hair growth in 68% versus 38% with Serenoa repens 320 mg/day.
- Effect
- No Benefit
- Duration
- 24 months
- Dose
- 320 mg/day Serenoa repens
- Population
- Patients with clinically diagnosed mild to moderate AGA
- Participants
- 100
RCTA randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial to determine the effectiveness of botanically derived inhibitors of 5-alpha-reductase in the treatment of androgenetic alopecia2002
In men with androgenetic alopecia, a double-blind trial of Serenoa repens liposterolic extract plus beta-sitosterol showed a highly positive hair-regrowth response versus placebo.
- Effect
- Benefit
- Ages
- 23–64
Effect of gelatin-cystine and serenoa repens extract on free radicals level and hair growth1998
A study examined gelatin-cystine and Serenoa repens extract on free radicals and hair growth; published abstract details on outcomes were not available.
AshwagandhaView supplement →
Reconsider purchase·★★★★★
How we scored this▸
- It is uncertain if ashwagandha applied to the scalp helps with hair loss.
- One small study found that using a serum containing ashwagandha root extract daily for about 2.5 months reduced hair shedding and increased hair density, growth, and thickness compared to placebo.
Browse 1 study
RCTEffects of Withania somnifera root extract serum application on hair health in healthy adults: A prospective, double-blind, randomized, parallel, placebo-controlled study2023n=61
In 61 adults with hair loss, topical ashwagandha root extract serum improved hair growth parameters and quality of life versus placebo over the study period.
- Effect
- Benefit
- Population
- Healthy adults
- Participants
- 61
- Ages
- 18–45
IronView supplement →
Reconsider purchase·★★★★★
How we scored this▸
- A study in adults with hair loss due to androgenic alopecia or telogen effluvium showed that taking a daily supplement (GFM Oral, Cantabria Labs) with iron, selenium, amino acids, and collagen for 12 weeks, along with standard treatments like finasteride or minoxidil, led to better improvement than standard treatment alone.
- It is not clear if the benefit was due to iron itself, the other ingredients, or their combination.
Browse 1 study
RCTEfficacy and tolerability of an oral supplement containing amino acids, iron, selenium, and marine hydrolyzed collagen in subjects with hair loss (androgenetic alopecia, AGA or FAGA or telogen effluvium). A prospective, randomized, 3-month, controlled, assessor-blinded study2023n=48
In 83 adults with hair loss on standard drug therapy, adding a collagen/amino acid/iron/selenium supplement for 12 weeks improved global assessment scores versus drugs alone (GAS 1.67 vs 0.66; p<0.001).
- Effect
- Benefit
- Duration
- 3 months
- Dose
- 300 mg/day
- Population
- Adults
- Participants
- 48
- Avg age
- ~41
ProbioticsView supplement →
Reconsider purchase·★★★★★
How we scored this▸
- Probiotics have no meaningful benefit for Hair loss.
Browse 2 studies
RCTEffect of applying Lactiplantibacillus plantarum subsp. plantarum N793 to the scalps of men and women with thinning hair: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study2024n=106
In 104 Japanese adults with thinning hair, topical L. plantarum N793 for 24 weeks improved hair density versus placebo only in those with mild progression.
- Effect
- Benefit
- Duration
- 24 weeks
- Population
- Adults
- Participants
- 106
- Ages
- 20–59
RCTRandomized Clinical Trial to Evaluate the Effect of Probiotic Intake on Androgenic Alopecia2024n=115
In 115 androgenic alopecia patients, 16 weeks of Lactiplantibacillus probiotics reduced vellus hair density and increased terminal hair markers versus placebo.
- Effect
- Benefit
- Duration
- 16 weeks
- Population
- Adults
- Participants
- 115
- Ages
- 18–65
SeleniumView supplement →
Reconsider purchase·★★★★★
How we scored this▸
- Taking selenium together with other nutrients and usual hair loss treatments like finasteride or minoxidil may improve hair loss more than treatments alone.
- It is not known if selenium alone helps hair loss because it was studied only as part of a combination supplement.
Browse 1 study
RCTEfficacy and tolerability of an oral supplement containing amino acids, iron, selenium, and marine hydrolyzed collagen in subjects with hair loss (androgenetic alopecia, AGA or FAGA or telogen effluvium). A prospective, randomized, 3-month, controlled, assessor-blinded study2023n=48
In 83 adults with hair loss on standard drug therapy, adding a collagen/amino acid/iron/selenium supplement for 12 weeks improved global assessment scores versus drugs alone (GAS 1.67 vs 0.66; p<0.001).
- Effect
- Benefit
- Duration
- 3 months
- Population
- Adults
- Participants
- 48
- Avg age
- ~41
TaurineView supplement →
Reconsider purchase·★★★★★
How we scored this▸
- Taurine alone has not been studied for hair loss treatment.
- However, a combination supplement that includes taurine along with other nutrients and collagen, taken with usual hair loss treatments, helped improve hair loss better than treatment alone in adults.
- It is not clear which ingredient is responsible for the benefit.
Browse 1 study
RCTEfficacy and tolerability of an oral supplement containing amino acids, iron, selenium, and marine hydrolyzed collagen in subjects with hair loss (androgenetic alopecia, AGA or FAGA or telogen effluvium). A prospective, randomized, 3-month, controlled, assessor-blinded study2023n=48
In 83 adults with hair loss on standard drug therapy, adding a collagen/amino acid/iron/selenium supplement for 12 weeks improved global assessment scores versus drugs alone (GAS 1.67 vs 0.66; p<0.001).
- Effect
- Benefit
- Duration
- 12 weeks
- Dose
- 300 mg/day
- Population
- Adults
- Participants
- 48
- Avg age
- ~41
Evidence visualised
Same ratings as above, aggregated so you can see coverage and imbalance.
| Supplement | DEX | Studies | Meta-analyses | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saw Palmetto | ★★★★★52% | 8 | 0 | 57% |
| Probiotics | ★★★★★44% | 2 | 0 | 14% |
| Ashwagandha | ★★★★★44% | 1 | 0 | 7% |
| Iron | ★★★★★44% | 1 | 0 | 7% |
| Selenium | ★★★★★44% | 1 | 0 | 7% |
| Taurine | ★★★★★44% | 1 | 0 | 7% |