Hair Loss Treatment Comparisons

This section puts two (or more) options side by side when you are deciding between them: two drugs, two forms of the same drug, two brands, or two devices. Each comparison sets out the evidence for each option, the practical differences in how you use it, the trade-offs in side effects and cost, and which kind of person each one tends to suit.

The most useful starting points are finasteride vs minoxidil, oral vs topical minoxidil and finasteride vs dutasteride. If you are weighing a laser device, read laser caps vs combs vs helmets before the brand-vs-brand pages. For the running costs of each approach, see the hair loss treatment cost index.

We don't declare a universal winner where the evidence doesn't support one; often the honest answer is “it depends on you”, and we say what it depends on. Our methodology explains how we compare products and evidence.