When dealing with hair growth, there are essentially two options. There are the two treatment options approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration, which are minoxidil and Propecia, and there is the alternative treatment plan, which typically takes a natural approach to regrowing hair through vitamins and supplements. As both minoxidil and Propecia have some known side effects, the alternative treatments may make sense for some people.
Types
There are many different supplements that are said to have some effect on hair regrowth, and these are believed to work in different ways. Some supplements are believed to act in a manner similar to Propecia by blocking or reducing the output of dihydrotestosterone (DHT), while others when applied topically will act as an irritant to the scalp, which is believed to stimulate blood flow and cell growth at the scalp region.
Saw Palmetto
When it comes to hair regrowth supplements, saw palmetto stands out above all others and is the most frequently used. Saw palmetto is one of the supplements that acts as a blocker of DHT. Although there have been no major clinical studies that show how saw palmetto acts as a hair loss product, it has been studied as an agent to combat prostate enlargement and has been found to act in a similar fashion to finasteride (Propecia).
Other DHT Blockers
Several other supplements also are believed to effectively block DHT from the hair follicle receptors. Stinging nettle or nettle root, along with dong quai, which is also known as Chinese Angelica, are two of the most popular. Pygeum and pumpkin seed oil are two others said to block DHT.
Antioxidants
Other supplements are believed to fight hair and promote growth due to superior antioxidant properties. These types of supplements include green tea and grape seed extract, which are said to help blood circulation problems, as well as prohibit the conversion of testosterone into DHT.
Topicals
A number of hair regrowth treatments involve using supplements as topical solutions. Saw palmetto and stinging nettle are often used topically, as are aloe vera and cayenne pepper. Aloe vera is said to promote the growth of nitric oxide, which some believe will lead to an increase of hair growth, while cayenne pepper is said to be a skin irritant and will draw blood to the affected area on the scalp.
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